Crating a Dog: Why You Should Stop Feeling Guilty. Crating a dog when you leave, travel or have company over may cause feelings of guilt, but is the safest place for your dog to be. Dogs are den dwelling animals that will often curl up and go to sleep when they are comfortable in their crate. Most…
Petting a Dog: How Affection Can Change Your Dog’s Behavior Petting a dog at the wrong time can accidentally encourage unwanted behaviors and mental states. Alternatively, petting a dog when they are in a relaxed state of mind, will teach your dog that touch has a calming influence. Inviting Not Invading Unwanted jumping on guests…
Socializing a Puppy with People… By Ignoring Them. Moments early in a puppy’s life are extremely important for exposure and socialization. The importance of socializing a puppy with people is known to most, but not fully understood. Dictionary.com defines socialization as: a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms,…
Dog Owner’s Guilt Dog owner’s guilt can often get in the way of doing what is best for your dog. Social pressure from friends and family make it even harder. As an owner, your number one priority is to be an advocate for your dog at all times. Many dog owners feel guilty; you…
Dogs Living in the City Can Thrive Without a Yard in the Suburbs Dogs living in the city often flourish in the hustle and bustle environment of an urban lifestyle. In many cases people tend to wait on getting a dog until they move to a house where they have a yard. Dogs can thrive…
Cold Weather Dog Training Tips. Take Your Winter Dog Training Indoors Cold weather dog training takes some creativity at times, especially when the temps are well below freezing. While your dog still needs physical exercise, adding some additional mental exercise can help both of you from getting cabin fever when you’re limited to the indoors. Here…
Small Dog Breeds: Why Small Dogs Should Get The Same Training as Large Dogs Small dog breeds are very popular, and it is easy to see why. They are adorable for starters, don’t shed or drool as much and don’t need acres of yard for exercise. Small dog breeds can travel in the cabin of a plane with…
Puppy Fear Stages. When is it OK to say “It’s OK”? Puppy fear stages are typical, but don’t count on your dog “growing out of it” without your leadership and help. Parenting instincts to soothe may kick in during puppy fear stages, but dogs do not understand comforting like we do. When going through puppy…
Puppy Training During Fall. An Important Time for Exposure. Puppy training during the fall months is a great time for natural distractions. The leaves are falling, Halloween decorations are up and the weather is not too hot, not too cold, which is ideal for puppy training outside. Fall is very distracting for puppies and adult…
Adopt a Dog Not the Past Going to adopt a dog can be an emotional experience, but choosing to adopt a dog based on the story of their past can often lead to an unhappy ending for all. Behavior problems sometimes get a free pass because the dog has a sad past. If you adopt a dog,…