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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
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…
Obedience training is always a great thing for not only the dog, but also the owner. It opens lines of communication, and allows for an even stronger bond to develop between the two. The reality is that many of us become board with obedience, and honestly so do many of our dogs. Sit down, and stay can only be practiced so many times before…
Private training is a very common option when it comes to dog training. This is such a valuable option for dog training, and for many training companies the only option they offer. As valuable as it is, I also feel it is one of the most overlooked and underused options by dog owners. Most people I speak with often gravitate to group training options…
