5 Best Dog Breeds For Families
There are innumerable articles and videos regarding what breeds are best for this or that. There is no such list that makes any sense. These articles are click bait, so they aren’t for your benefit at all. These people don’t know you! Instead, you get the right dog for you. That’s the right “breed”. Maybe […]
Don’t Be Rough On Your Dog
Why do I feel the need to tell people to not be rough on their dogs? Because many people think that being rough on their dogs is the way to deal with a dog. That backfires, sometimes with disastrous results. So, let’s back up a bit. Good dog training doesn’t equal being rough on a […]
Do You Train Sick Dogs?
I have a rule: I don’t train sick dogs What I mean by “sick” is any dog that isn’t feeling well… infection, raging allergies, recovering from an injury, overly stressed, and such. I want owners to tip me off in advance, if possible, if their dogs aren’t their normal selves. It’s not fair to make […]
Dogs And Overcrowded Shelters (Part 2)
Humans are territorial creatures. When a human loses their home, it is an extremely stressful experience, having potentially significant impacts on their health and behavior. Until they can find a new home, and see it as home, they will continually feel disconnected. Even “homeless” people (the term changes so frequently, what is used today will […]
I’m Afraid Of My Puppy
I have encountered numerous people who were afraid of their puppies. In this article, I’m referring to people who have had no threatening behavior by the puppy but are afraid of the puppy because of what it might become. For example, I’ve spoken to first time dog owners with little fluffy puppies that are afraid […]
Dogs And Discovering Potential Talent
I am not an “old school” dog trainer. Here’s what I mean by that. Old School: You might have worked with the dog a bit to understand Sit, Down, Heel, and Come. OK, that is a good start. But then there is the switch. The mentality changes and then if the owner gives a command, […]
Does Your Puppy Have Separation Anxiety?
There is a lot of dumb stuff on the internet. It seems that the internet is a magnet for fools to say foolish things. I saw a post about puppies and separation anxiety. In this case, the young puppy vocalizes a distress call and tries to be wherever the owner is. The so-called dog trainer […]
Dog Training Should Be Fun
Often dog training is just too serious, and the dogs pick up on that and that interferes with motivation and adds stress. Are your dog lessons enjoyable for you and your dog? If not, then you are probably doing it wrong. If the focus of the lessons is always making the dog not do this […]
Do You Want A Calm And Submissive Dog?
Have you ever considered what these terms mean? Can a dog remain calm… greeting you when you get home, playing, jogging, coming when called, heeling, eating, guarding the property, fetch, tug of war, scent detection, protecting you and your family, defending themselves, hunting, swimming, doing agility, or on a hike? Is any of that “calm”? […]
Dogs And Landscaping
It is time to evaluate if your yard is safe and useful. 1.) Remove excess rubbish and junk. 2.) Which nuisance and toxic plants need to go? 3.) Is there sufficient shade? 4.) What is the condition of the lawn? 5.) Time to look at that sprinkler system, making repairs. 6.) What about lawn furniture? […]