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The domestication of dogs
It is commonly believed that dogs have been around for around 12,000 years give or take a couple thousand. But new evidence is beginning to show that the change from wolf to dog might have [...]
Good dental health can prolong your dog’s life, says article in Prevention Magazine
According to an article in the September (2011) issue of Prevention magazine, dental disease affects 78% of dogs (and 68% of cats) over 3 years of age. In addition to the risk of losing teeth, [...]
“Alpha wolf” – reality or myth?
In recent years, the terms “alpha” and “dominance” and the whole “wolf pack theory” of dog training have become popular again. The appeal, I think, lies in the way it is sensationalized on television and [...]
Behavioral signs of cancer in dogs
More info from the talk by Christine Hardy, DVM, MBA, MPH from the CSU Animal Cancer Center. In an earlier post, I listed the Top Ten Warning Signs of Cancer in Pets. This post lists [...]
Top 10 Warning Signs of Cancer in Pets
At my most recent Colorado Dog Trainers Network meeting, we were fortunate enough to have Christine Hardy , DVM, MBA, MPH from the CSU Animal Cancer Center speak with us about cancer in dogs and [...]
Where did Momma go?
For those who follow my blog or hear about my escapades in person, you know that when Romeo was an adolescent, I was working on off-leash reliability with Romeo. While I want him to always [...]
How I Use Off-Leash Control With My Dog
Clients often want to know what off-leash control looks like with my 2 year old Vizsla, Romeo, so here it is. In places where it is not safe to be off-leash, Romeo is attached to [...]
Cool dog treats for hot summer days
When the weather is hot, your dog might not get as excited about her/his training treats as s/he usually does. Ok, some dogs get excited about the prospect of food no matter what! But not [...]
“Dog training” works on people too!
One of my job titles is "Dog Trainer" but I often tell my clients that in reality, I am a People Trainer. While I can and do train dogs, the bulk of my job is [...]
What’s the “magic” number for maturity?
My most popular group class is Juvenile Delinquents. I work with more adolescent dogs than any other developmental stage. It should come as no surprise that the majority of dogs relinquished to shelters and rescue [...]
Could massage help your dog?
Most people are quite familiar with massage therapists for people, but did you also know that there are professionals who provide massages for dogs? Do you live with a dog who might benefit from regular [...]
The ultimate “drop it” test – baby bunnies version
Training sessions are all good and fun (or should be!) but the real measure of your dog’s skills is when a real-life situation puts your training to the test. I had a chance to test [...]
Dog social skills with puppies
When you live with an adolescent dog, there are some days when you wonder if s/he will ever mature. I certainly have had those thoughts about Romeo some days. (July 2011) One of my objectives [...]
What is the most important thing you can teach your dog?
I spend much of my “spare time” thinking about dog training and the dogs with whom I work. The time I invest in the dogs with whom I work is not limited to the actual [...]
Weaning a dog off the crate
While not everyone uses crates, most of us do when our dogs are puppies or adolescents. Providing too much freedom in the house unsupervised during these stages of development can set our dogs up for [...]
A new dog sport to try – Treibball
Looking for something new to try with your dog? In aanother post, I discussed the sport of K9 Nosework. This latest sport, called Treibball, comes from Germany. It was created with herding dogs in mind, but [...]
Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, June 24 (2011)
There are days to celebrate just about everything these days, so you shouldn’t be surprised to know there is a “Take Your Dog to Work” Day. Established by Petsitters International in 1999, their primary goal [...]
Persistence pays off with “stubborn” dogs
You probably have heard that “consistency” is essential in dog training. And it is. Just as important is “persistence” – especially when you live with a dog who many people would call “stubborn”. Many dogs [...]
Good leash manners prevent injuries
Teaching your dog to walk politely on leash is one of the top reasons for people seeking training assistance with their dogs. Dogs generally like to walk a lot faster than we do and aren’t [...]
It seemed like a good idea at the time!
I prefer hearing my clients’ success stories, but the “It seemed like a good idea at the time” stories are sometimes pretty entertaining. They often provide me with good real-life stories to share so you [...]
Outwit, outplay, outlast – motto for Survivor and our dogs
Whether or not you’re a fan of the show Survivor, you might have heard the show’s motto: Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. That same motto could be applied to dog training, especially when you live with an [...]