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  Consistency is the basis of so many things. We must be consistent with a task to become proficient at it. Dog training is no exception. Our lives are so busy with family obligations, work, errands, and a ton of other tasks that are expected of us. While training your dog doesn’t really take a ton of time during your day, the repetition for your dog that allows them to practice a new skill daily is. I want you to stop and think of something you are good at (work, hobby, etc.). Now, I want you to think about how many times you had to practice that skill to feel like you somewhat felt you were good at it. I paint and do photography as hobbies and have done both since I was a child. Despite years of painting or taking photos along with having a dad that was a…

  If the world was divided into two groups, huggers and hand-shakers, in human terms, my dog would definitely be a someone who tips his hat from afar. Now that we are less than a month away from Halloween and all of the winter holidays that follow, have you identified whether your dog is a hugger? A hand-shaker? Somewhere in between? I’m relatively certain my dog has a calendar squirreled away and nervously marks off the number of days until groups of those shorter, interestingly dressed, two-legged creatures continually ring the doorbell and request treats which starts about a three-month period of activity that is way over his comfort level. We all know the holiday season can be uncomfortable and downright stressful for some of our “hand-shaker” dogs and even those dogs who are regularly the socialites of the group may find their limit with all of the activities. Any…

What would you say if I told you that the perfect dog does not exist? I have met some incredible dogs in my life, but none have been perfect.  The reality of that question is the fact that we are talking about a living and breathing animal. They have the ability to independently think and make decisions on their own. Do I dare add the thought that they are also taught and influenced by imperfect humans? While the perfect dog does not exist, we can certainly guarantee that you can have a loving companion who you can share great communication, trust, and memories. The path to this is not always easy and often hindered by rushing the process. Stay with me here as I quickly dive into this and hopefully share a few tips and tricks to help avoid hindering the process. The first tip is to be patient with…

Many people believe that exercising their dog means taking them for several walks a day or throwing a ball over and over until it seems the dog is exhausted. Although this is great physical exercise, what about mental exercise? When you hear the phrase “A tired dog, is a good dog” have we considered that this might include meeting both the dog’s physical and mental needs?   Dogs who do not have a good balance of mental and physical stimulation can exhibit signs of boredom which in turn could lead to those annoying problem behaviors that we all want to avoid, such as chewing our favorite shoes, digging in the trash or stealing items out of the laundry basket. Incorporating mental stimulation into your dog’s daily routine does not have to be a daunting task. Here’s several ways to add mental stimulation into your dog’s day.   FORAGING  Dogs eat every day,…

I used to run agility with my dachshund mix and every so often (probably more often than not), if he took the wrong obstacle or got those infamous “zoomies”, my first response was likely “no.” Then I got to wondering, was “no” the right response? Did my dog even “know no”?  Possibly not.  Could I have helped my dog better with an alternate behavior from me?  What about training other cues?  If my dog is laying in his bed being quiet and chewing on my new tennis shoes, if I shout out “NOOOOOO,” which behavior am I telling my dog that I would prefer he not do? Laying quietly? Laying in his bed? Or chewing on a shoe that I didn’t put away? Is it fair to make our dogs try and read our minds? Should we even use the word “no” with our dogs? Admittedly, “no” can be over-used…

Dogs have always been a part of my life whether it be volunteering and fostering with rescues, working as an adoption counselor or dogs being a fixture of our family. I grew up in a home where dogs were punished for poor behavior to include a swat on the rear or being told “bad dog” hours after an accident was found in the house. I was raised under the old school thought that dogs are fully aware of what they are doing and continue to remember those actions, even hours or days later. Years later, working as a behavioral trainer, I couldn’t have more opposite thoughts. Adult education has always been a passion of mine. Working in the prenatal health care field, I have spent years educating new and expecting parents how to communicate with their newborn. I remember a new mom that came to me and was frustrated that…

  Summer, the season of outdoor activities.  I personally camp, bike, ride horses, and BBQ. A lot you are doing the same and more.  Many of us, as dog parents enjoy our dogs joining us in summer adventures. Heat is our greatest demon as we decide what activities where it is safe, as well as fun, for our dogs to join us or is it better for them if they stay home. To help you in deciding what activities are summer fun for your dog, I found some of the greatest ideas the internet world had.  Read on for fun tips and tricks helping your dog beat the summer heat and still remain active. Kiddie Pool (or a full size one) Filling a plastic kid pool is a great option for most backyards. We have done this year after year. Even with our pond, we prefer the cleaner water of…

When I think about dogs and doorways, it reminds me of a song called “The Distance” that I used to listen to as a teenager.  The first verse goes like this. Reluctantly crouched at the starting line Engines pumping and thumping in time The green light flashes and the flags go up Churning and burning they yearn for a cup They deftly maneuver and muscle for rank Fuel burning fast on an empty tank Reckless and wild they pour through the turns Their prowess is potent and secretly stern   I laugh as I imagine the doorway as a starting line for our dogs. The door opening signals a green light and sends the dog launching forward through the door with everything it has! This is the reality for many dogs. Come to think of it, taking the leash off a dog can have the same result.  Humor aside, “doorway…

As trainers we often hear the phrase “I love my dog but…”. When we hear this remark (or request for help) from a client, friend, and/or family members remark we quickly prepare ourselves for a general answer to most of the common behavioral issues. Realizing that dog and owners’ issues are different and unique to each situation, there are common methods or steps that can be used as a starting point to address each of them. The questions that trainers typically start with are (i) why is the dog repeating the behavior, (ii) what do you prefer the dog does instead of the “unwanted” behavior, and (iii) how can you manage the current behavior while in the training process? To clarify, when we say “behavior,” we are referring to the way your dog may act in response to a particular situation or stimulus. Let’s look at these things separately. Why…

Being a professional dog trainer for more than 14 years I often hear clients tell me that their dog reacts negatively and does not like people in hats, the UPS driver, and or strangers in coats and other outward appearances of select people. Often the clients are lost to why these appearance factors cause their dog to negatively react or they conclude that their dog was, in its past, abused by someone wearing said article of clothing or had a certain appearance trait. While the latter thought of possible abuse could be the cause of this behavior it rarely is. Usually, the culprit of this behavior is a simple lack of understanding of what causes a dog concern and how those concerns manifest in the dog’s behavior. Dogs primarily communicate through body language. A dog uses their entire body to communicate emotions of fear, submission, excitement, aggression, and stress. Their…