It can happen to the best of us. You come home from work and find that your dog made a mess. They wake you up in the middle of the night to bark at a squirrel. They jump on your friends every time they come to visit. Sometimes it happens before you even have a chance to think about it: you yell at your dog to discourage the behavior. The problem is that you aren’t actually teaching your dog anything, … Read more
There are some dogs who love their feline friends at first sight, but then there are others who seem determined to play into that age-old stereotype that says dogs and cats can’t get along. Dogs are instinctive hunters, and a strong prey drive or a general dislike of cats can cause chaos between the two species. But if you’re an all-around animal lover, the question of whether or not you can train a dog to like cats has likely crossed … Read more
We may giggle at a dog who’s cowering in the shadow of a harmless vacuum or feel powerless when our pup trembles at the sight of another dog, but it’s up to you to help your dog overcome their fear. Regardless of what they’re afraid of, their feelings should always be taken seriously. It could be silly and unfounded or the result of a traumatic experience, but fear keeps your pet from living a happy and fulfilled life. As their owner, caregiver, … Read more
Teaching your dog to sit generally requires little effort and rarely the help of a professional trainer. Using your pup’s favorite treats, it’s probably one of the first behaviors you’ll easily teach. Although it seems so basic and boring, “sit” is actually one of the most helpful commands you can train. So even if you think teaching your dog to sit is one of the least impressive of tricks, make sure you don’t overlook its importance. #1 – Convenience Teaching … Read more
When we love our dogs like family, we sometimes forget that they don’t understand us quite like our human relatives. Sometimes we try to have full-on conversations with them or unknowingly send them body language signals that are interpreted differently in the animal kingdom. For these reasons, we’ve compiled a list of 9 common things that humans do that stress dogs out. If you’ve done any of these things, don’t worry–we all have! But by being more aware, we can try to communicate with our … Read more
It’s very easy to get excited about training your new dog or puppy, especially if you’re training for some sort of performance. Competitive obedience, agility and many other venues take a lot of time and effort, and the beginning stages of training are often some of the best moments for owners because they offer such a great way to bond with their new canine companions. But research has found that too much training is actually detrimental to our dogs’ learning … Read more
You know the look: bowed head, flat ears, eyes wide and cut to the side, back hunched, tail between the legs. Combine it all and you’ve got one guilty looking dog! While many pawrents believe their pooch is showing actual remorse for pooping on the floor or scattering the contents of the trash across the kitchen, psychologists and animal behaviorists say it is more an act of submission than an admission of guilt. A post shared by Roxy and Bella … Read more
Dogs are opportunists. Although most are willing to please their owners and want to engage with them, there are times when something else is just much more interesting. For example, many dogs would much rather take the juicy steak right off your plate than lie on their bed during human dinner time. There are no “bad” dogs, but there are dogs that lack training. If you think your dog is just uninterested in listening to you, you might want to … Read more
Agility is a very exciting sport open to all dogs, regardless of breed. Almost all dogs love agility and it doesn’t matter if you’re looking to be the next national champion or just want to enjoy some classes with your dog. Just like taking basic obedience classes with your new dog or puppy, agility is a great, fun way to strengthen the bond you have with your canine companion. It’s also a great way to build confidence in an insecure … Read more
Not everyone needs to hire a dog trainer for private lessons, but more and more dog owners are finding themselves needing a little extra help outside of the basic puppy classes offered at most chain pet supply stores. Professional dog trainers are a rare breed – they love dogs and have spent years perfecting their craft and learning everything they can about dogs and their behavior, but they also find themselves as social butterflies who want to help people. By … Read more
When it comes to living with dogs, there are many different opinions on how to raise them, treat them, house them, and train them. Just like with children, everyone has a different way of “parenting” their pets. With that said, most agree that basic obedience training is essential for all dogs, regardless of age, size, or breed. In fact, many even agree that there are some basic commands that should be taught to all dogs, and we’d like to share … Read more
Have you ever wondered what activities there are for dogs and owners to do together? Maybe you’ve got a high-energy pooch that needs a lot of mental stimulation or simply just want to enjoy more than a walk in the park together. Whatever the reason, looking into dog sports is an excellent way to spend time with your pooch. You don’t need to have the Energizer Bunny for a pet, even older, less active dogs can enjoy some special training. … Read more
Whether they’d like to admit it or not, most dog owners are going to need to hire a dog trainer or go to an obedience class at some time or another. This isn’t a bad thing at all, it simply means that just like you would hire a professional to replace your roof, you should hire a professional to help you train your dog. With so much information available on the Internet now, you can probably do a lot of … Read more
One of the more common questions I get asked by clients who are looking for behavior modification training is, “Can you teach my dog to like other dogs?” There are lots of reasons for this request, such as: we brought home a new dog that doesn’t get along with our other dogs I want to be able to take him to the dog park the doggy daycare kicked us out and I need her to be welcomed back I just … Read more
Do you spend several minutes every day picking up your dog’s toys and putting them away? Most dogs are like kids – they get every toy they have and spread it around the house until it looks like a pet store tornado came through your house. Why not teach your dog to clean up his own mess? It doesn’t just help you, it’s GREAT for your dog. Why? Expends energy Makes him think (which also tires him out) Give him … Read more
Dogs do cute things all the time, it’s one of the reasons we love them. Some tilt their heads when you talk to them, others rest their head in your lap, use their paws to brush off their nose, and almost all dogs play bow at some point. With just a clicker and some treats, you can turn these behaviors into fun, adorable tricks that are sure to entertain next time you have guests over. Since many dogs … Read more
Rollover is one of the quintessential tricks that all dog owners love to teach their dogs. But unless you have a dog that happens to offer (do it by themselves) this behavior often, it can actually be quite tricky to teach. For some dogs, it’s about confidence. If they don’t trust you fully, or don’t like to be handled, than they aren’t not going to feel good about exposing their belly to you. So, if you have a dog that … Read more
You may not want the next AKC Obedience Champion. You may not care if your dog Sits or Downs on command. Of if he jumps on you every time you come in the door. How much (or little) training you do with your dog is your choice. BUT There is one cue that every single dog without exception should know. COME! Why? Because it’s the one cue that can keep them from running away or getting lost, allows them to be … Read more
Wouldn’t it be great if your dog obeyed your every command? Studies show the average dog is quite intelligent and understands a vocabulary comparable to a two-year-old human. So if your dog understands what you want him to do, why doesn’t he do it? The answer may be lack of proper motivation. Dogs, like humans, are motivated to take action for two basic reasons: to earn a reward, or to avoid a punishment. Dog experts have determined that dogs respond … Read more
When something goes wrong, it’s easy to blame the dog – after all, he can’t speak to defend himself! However, many times we humans inadvertently cause the very things we are trying to stop our dogs from doing. If you’ve made some of the mistakes listed below, don’t worry–we all have! The good news is that you can make some changes, but first, you have to be informed! Here are some ways you may be accidentally encouraging your dog’s most annoying habits: #1 … Read more
If you own more than one dog, you may have noticed some behaviors that make you think of two siblings fighting over things. For example, maybe you are petting one dog and the other runs up for attention too. I knew someone who used this as a way to train her dogs. If she called the dogs to her and only one came, she would loudly tell the dog that came that he was a good boy and was “getting a … Read more
[IHD_Mobile_Banner] Mental fitness is just as important to a dog as physical exercise. If a dog isn’t mentally stimulated, it could lead to serious behavior issues. Some breeds were not created to sit idly by and watch the clouds pass overhead, they were meant to burst through the clouds and chase after the wisps. Here are some excellent brain exercises that take very little effort for humans and will keep a dog stimulated for hours. 1. Know the nose … Read more
