The Problems with Labels
I caught myself doing something the other day that I try to keep my clients from doing: putting a “label” on a problem behavior. In my eleven-plus years of training, I have come to reject neat categorical labels for dog behavior. I got to that point by consulting with...
The Tincture of Time
Your dog just bit you. Your dog is barking incessantly. Your dog is bouncing off the walls, counters and people like a ping-pong ball in a clothes dryer. You are at your wits end and you want this fixed . . . NOW! Dog trainers like me get these calls on a regular...
Smart Phone Apps for Dog Owners and Lovers
A quick search of the App Store for any smart phone will return an overwhelming list of apps that claim to do everything from stopping your dog from barking to helping you find pet-friendly travel accommodations. This month, we start to compile a list of the most...
Know the Red Flags of Bad Breeders
I was coming out of a veterinarian's office the other week when I ran into a woman who had been a client in a puppy class a couple years ago. Her pup, an adorable English Bulldog, was a delight -- classically Bulldog. He was a gift from the woman's son. This woman...
Exercising Your Pet’s Mind
Last month we discussed healthy physical exercise for your pets. Equally important – if not more so – is healthy mental exertion. While cats and dogs are arguably the most domesticated of all animals, they are still descended from wild animals that engage in hunting,...
Healthy Physical Exercise for Your Pet
Exercise, appropriate to your pet’s condition and age, is very important to their physical and mental health. The challenge with providing physical exercise for your pet is the question of how much is enough, too little or too much. Too little exercise can be the...
Rehabilitating Aggressive Behavior in Dogs
I originally wrote this post in August 2012: Last month, we discussed what aggressive behavior is and how it can worsen without intervention. This month, we’ll cover how to rehabilitate aggressive behavior. The Best Defense . . . As with most things, the best way to...
Aggressive Behavior in Dogs: An Overview
I originally wrote this post in July 2012: Few things threaten the relationship between dogs and humans more than your dog showing aggressive behavior. We can feel so conflicted and vulnerable when a potentially dangerous problem emerges. It damages the trust bond...
When Pets Go Missing
I originally wrote this post in June 2012: Two of our indoor cats got out of the house the other day. When we realized it, panic ensued. It was a horrible flashback to 23 years ago when our two dogs broke out of a temporary enclosure we built for them. Both stories...
Keep ‘em Safe This Summer
I originally wrote this post in May 2012: Warm weather and longer days mean spending more time outside enjoying our backyards, beaches and local parks during the summer. Include your pets in the fun, too. Just be aware of some necessary safeguards. Heat & Sun You...