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When a dog’s arousal is high, it’s hard to make good choices!
I have several clients whose dogs have trouble with other dogs out on walks. Some of these dogs do fine off leash with other dogs. Some do not. But for each of these dogs, when [...]
What do dogs have to do with the Academy Awards?
If you watched the Academy Awards in February, you might have seen Uggie, the Jack Russell Terrier, on stage with the rest of the cast when The Artist won for Best Picture. Normally, dogs don’t play a [...]
When your dog’s “fun tricks” come in handy
Some people don’t like teaching their dogs “tricks”. Somehow, it’s just doesn’t seem dignified or worth putting in the effort to teach these frivolous cues that have no value. Or do they? Whether something is [...]
Dog Training Choices
This article is part of our E-book, ASK THE TRAINER: Answers to common questions about dog training and behavior issues, including jumping, leash manners, aggression, fearfulness, and more. [...]
Is your dog an escape artist?
As warmer weather takes hold, it’s easy to feel a bit of spring fever and want to get outdoors more and stay inside less. The same holds true for our dogs, and spring can be [...]
Backyard hazards for your pets
Prevention magazine’s April issue has an article entitled How Safe is Your Backyard? by Molly Raisch. She mentions possible problems with pesticides, herbicides, fertilizer and plants. According to the article, studies show exposure to certain pesticides [...]
What are the consequences for a dog who misbehaves? Part 2
In my earlier post on this subject, I started the discussion of what to do when a dog misbehaves. First, we need to ensure the dog understands what is expected. Then we need to make sure [...]
Does stress affect the performance of your dog?
We know that our own stress can greatly affect our performance and ability to function, but do you ever consider how your dog's stress level might affect his/her performance? Not only your dog's stress level, [...]
What are the consequences for a dog who misbehaves?
One question I am often asked is this: “How do I correct my dog when he doesn’t do what he’s told?” In our society, we tend to be quick to want to dole out punishment [...]
How good is your dog’s memory?
If you think your dog doesn’t have a very good memory, just try walking past the spot where he found a dead animal or other equally smelly and enticing (to our dogs) object. If your [...]
Training tip – polite greetings from the dog’s perspective
Teaching our dogs to greet people politely can be a challenge. While some dogs are naturally more polite, many of our dogs have a hard time not jumping on people or doing other things we [...]
Reduce anxiety by teaching your dog to focus on you
Romeo and I attended our Rally drop-in class recently. (February 2012) The last time we were there, it was crowded which resulted in my post about looking out for your dog's safety. This time, there [...]
Nipping puppies and mouthy adolescents, part 3
This is part 3 in my series on addressing nippy and mouthy behavior in puppies, adolescent dogs, or even adult dogs who have not yet learned that teeth on human skin (and the clothing that [...]
Is it ever OK to kiss a dog?
I have a small group that I meet up with once a week to walk and socialize our dogs. This is also a social time for us, so we talk about all sorts of things [...]
Dog bites news anchor: who is to blame?
By now, you have most likely heard about Max the Argentine Mastiff who was rescued from a pond in February 2012. It was a feel-good story about a firefighter rescuing Max from drowning. The following morning, Max [...]
Nipping puppies and mouthy adolescents, part 2
More than one person was certain my most recent post on puppy nipping and mouthy adolescents was directed specifically at her or him. While it was for her/his benefit, it also was for the benefit of everyone [...]
Training tip – for nipping puppies and mouthy adolescent dogs
Nipping and biting are easily the most common of the complaints I hear from those living with puppies. The nipping is bad enough, but with razor sharp teeth, it is even more painful. While the [...]
Are you looking out for your dog’s safety?
Are you a safety advocate for your dog? Do you step in when needed to ensure your dog not only IS safe but FEELS safe? If we want our dogs to remain calm and not [...]
Teach your dog opposites (in/out, over/under, and others)
In my Juvenile Delinquents Classes, I ask my students when they last taught their dogs something new. While it’s important to focus on getting reliable responses to the most important cues you use regularly (like sit, [...]
Teach your dog something new!
The New Year is typically a time for people to make New Year’s Resolutions to improve their lives. These resolutions might be to exercise more, eat a healthier diet, improve their relationships, find a new [...]
Does your dog have trouble with stairs?
I recently worked with a couple of clients whose dogs were having trouble navigating stairs. In both cases, the families live in split level homes with several stairs but not full flights of stairs. In [...]