Teaching polite social behavior is an ongoing journey, not a destination. It requires patience, consistency, and a commitment to understanding your dog's needs and the nuances of canine communication. By looking beyond simply "friendly" and actively cultivating these essential social skills, you'll not only have a happier and more well-adjusted dog but also a companion who is a joy to be around for everyone they meet. Let's strive to raise a generation of truly polite canine citizens!

Have you ever noticed how some dogs seem to bark at everyone who walks past their home? There's a reason for that. Let's break down the typical scenario: you walk by a house, the dog barks, and you keep walking. From the dog's perspective, they've successfully "chased you away." They feel powerful and effective. Every time you walk by and they bark, this behavior is reinforced. They're essentially practicing and perfecting their "I'm big and scary" routine.

It's a question I hear all the time: "Is my dog too old to learn new tricks?" Often, this comes from owners of dogs around 5 or 6 years old, who wonder if it's even worth the time and money to train them. They might be struggling with a long-standing bad habit and feel like it's too late to change. The good news? Absolutely not! You can teach an old dog new tricks.

Is your dog bored? Destructive? Learn how mental stimulation can transform their behavior and strengthen your bond. From puzzle toys to scent work, we'll dive into practical strategies for engaging your dog's mind, leading to a happier, healthier, and more well-adjusted pet.

Today, I joined a dog walker and her 7-month-old Australian Shepherd client for their walk. This energetic pup was jumping and nipping at her for the first half of their walks, settling down only later. The dog walker, who clearly cares and is very observant, was understandably puzzled. After observing the walk, the reason for the behavior became crystal clear.

As a dog owner, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right trainer for your furry friend. A good dog trainer can make a world of difference in your dog's behavior and your relationship with them. Here's what to look for when searching for the perfect trainer.

Discover the secrets to calming your reactive dog by understanding their threshold. Learn how distance, duration, and intensity impact your dog's behavior, and how to adjust these factors to create a positive training environment. This guide provides actionable strategies to help your reactive dog thrive.

I wrote an article for the “Pet Tips And Tricks” section of the Fox 28 - Spokane, WA website about having pigs as pets. What should you expect when getting a pig? How are they as pets? Are they smart? I answered all those questions an more in the article. Take a look!

Who would have thought that a little slime in the bottom of your pet’s water dish could cause big trouble? Well, it can cause all sorts of dangerous health issues.

So I'm sure you're envisioning a program where we give dog biscuits to dogs in exchange for their AK-47s and the like. Well, that's not the case here. Canine disarming is about cutting down the canine teeth of a biting dog so he can't do (as much) damage. Now, you may think this is a great solution! The dog is not as much of a liability, which is always a concern when someone owns a dog that bites. However, it makes the owner more...

At 9 weeks old, Ricky, a Shiloh Shepherd, came to live with two older German Shepherds. The oldest being a 12 year old male, the other a 6 year old female, both altered. When Ricky arrived, Fred, the male was very clear that there would be no playing between them. However, the female, Lucy, was not so clear. She was so happy to have a puppy to play with that she let Ricky wrestle & grab her all he wanted. The owner didn't see the wrestling as a problem and continued allowing the playing/wrestling because the breeder said that is what they do, all her dogs do it. Forward 9 months...

As a dog trainer I deal with many behavior problems. Aggression is one of the most common reasons I get called to someone's home, whether it is aggression directed towards a person or another animal (usually other dogs). In my 25+ years’ experience as a dog trainer I have found that aggression is usually caused by one or more of a few things:

1) under-socialization/fear
2) a traumatic experience when the dog had little to no "padding" of good experiences
3) mishandling of the situation by the owner
4) genetics

 

I saw this article yesterday and just had to write something about it since obese dogs are one of my biggest pet peeves. About 20 years ago when I graduated from school my very first client had a huge German Shepherd. When I say huge, I mean *huge*... 

One of the calls I get most often is about dogs that are leash reactive and dog aggressive. This could mean they make noise, bark & lunge because they are happy to see the dog or person approaching, or it could mean they are not so happy to see what's coming towards them or behind a fence they are walking past...