"Help! My dog panics when I'm gone. Would getting a second dog help him feel less lonely?" I have heard that question so many times, but like so many other things in life there is no clear cut answer. Another dog might help your dog feel less … [Read more...]
Yelling is One Sure Way to Sabotage Your Recall Training
A reliable recall is often thought of as the holy grail in dog training. It's one of the toughest things to train because it takes patience, great timing, dedication & lots of rewards. And not just any rewards, either. You're going to need to … [Read more...]
3 Easy Ways to Increase Your Dogs Play Drive
Dogs, like us, are one of the only mammals that play well into adulthood. And while we may not think much of it the truth is dogs thrive on interactive play. Play is a great stress reliever, it's a hell of a workout, and it helps creates a strong … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Boost Your Dogs Confidence
Does your dog act shy or fearful around new people or situations? One way to help boost your dogs confidence is by learning how to shift their focus away from the scary thing and onto something positive. My favorite method is to use some basic … [Read more...]
10 Dog Training Tips I’m Tired of Hearing
Dog Training Has Come A Long Way I've been obsessed with dogs for years, and I still remember vividly all those dogs books I owned back in the 80's with all sorts of "solid" advice. Piles and piles of books, each one telling your how to choose and … [Read more...]
The Importance of Adding Mental Exercise to Your Dogs Routine
Have you seen those people that walk their dogs by letting them run alongside their car? In my neighborhood there's a few people that do that, and although they are providing physical exercise I question how safe and effective it is. But at least … [Read more...]
Is Positive Reinforcement Training Finally The Norm?
Did you have a dog growing up? Think about how your family approached training. If yours was anything like mine (or the majority of people before the 1990's) there was probably a lot of punishment and a lot of yelling. Yes, there was always … [Read more...]
5 Methods That Will Help Reduce Resource Guarding
Disclaimer: Resource guarding (commonly referred to as food aggression) is a serious behavior. If your dog exhibits any aggression or guarding that you're uncomfortable with please seek the help of a professional. Resource guarding won't just go … [Read more...]
Do Yourself a Favor and Teach Your Dog to Chase Bubbles
Entertaining a dog doesn't get much easier than blowing bubbles. When it comes to keeping your dog busy and active you're golden if you can teach your dog to chase bubbles. I'm not sure how this came about but Laika had an epiphany this month. It … [Read more...]
Are Squeaky Toys Too Stimulating For Your Dog?
I keep reading that squeaky toys can cause aggression, resource guarding, and predatory instincts in dogs. I've yet to see any of those behaviors with my dog, but they certainly create extremely high levels of excitement. Is it just innocent fun or … [Read more...]