Separation anxiety is one of the most difficult things to experience for dogs and their humans. It causes severe stress in the dog when they are left and causes the dog's guardian to feel trapped, anxious, and frustrated. For the guardian, it can have a major emotional, social, and financial impact. But, there is hope! By teaming up with a veterinarian and a qualified separation anxiety trainer, you can dramatically improve both the lives of the dog and the human.
8 Indoor Dog Activities to Burn Energy on Rainy Days
How to Train Your Pandemic Puppy
Online Dog Training: An Effective (and Safe) At-Home Training Method
Our lives are increasingly doing digital. Online tools and doing this virtually help us save time and stay connected. But can we train our dogs this way? We think so! And we have trained clients this way since 2014! Read why online dog training is effective and particularly beneficial for fearful dogs and those with separation anxiety.
Your Official Guide to Puppy Socialization
3 Leash Training Techniques to Help a Dog That Pulls
When you have a dog that pulls and walks are frustrating, we tend to walk our dogs less, resulting in pent-up energy and boredom (and therefore bad behavior) in our pups. In this post, we discuss three techniques for walking a dog that pulls that might help make your walks better for both you and your dog!
Living with Multiple Pets Safely and Happily
Dog Training for Adolescent Dogs
There are many correlations between human and canine development—adolescence is certainly one of them! We receive so many concerns and complaints from parents of adolescent pups that we decided we should write about it. So if you're raising a puppy that will soon be a "teenager", this is the time to instill appropriate behavior patterns that will continue into adulthood.
Moving with a Dog — Tips to Make Your Move with Your Dog Easier
Most of us have to relocate with our animals at least once in our lives, and it can be very stressful for both humans and animals! If moving causes anxiety for us people, imagine how stressful it can be for a dog who doesn’t understand what’s happening. But not to worry, as we have compiled a handful of helpful tips and tricks to make the move as easy and stress-free as possible for both you and your dog.
Positive Reinforcement and the "I Voted" Sticker Selfie
So what does positive reinforcement have to do with voting during an election? Well, in theory, voting should be inherently reinforcing because we should feel motivated to participate in our democracy. But we all know this isn’t the case. Our lack of motivation is proof that the need is really that immediate—it’s direct reinforcement that modifies behavior.
7 Tips for Caring for an Aging or Sick Dog
As I write this, I can hear the whistle of my dog breathing, with the occasional snort and wiggle to relieve the itching. Miles Davis is thirteen years old, with Cushing’s Disease, sore joints, and a weak heart (only physically, of course). While I’m still trying to figure this out, I thought it would be helpful to share the ways I’ve learned to minimize stress for my aging or sickly dog.
The Best Collars, Leashes, and Harnesses for Walking Your Dog
If you are a dog owner, I’m sure you know the overwhelming feeling of wandering through the aisles of a pet supply store, or pouring over the thousands of options for collars, leashes, and harnesses online. Well, those days are over, because we have done the work for you! Here's a helpful list of dog collars, leashes, and harnesses for dogs that we have put to the test.
Training Your Dog to Have Impulse Control: What Is It?
As I write this, I just finished a bowl of Mint Chip ice cream and I am considering a second. Or maybe I should just eat the whole carton? The fact that I am even stopping to think about it shows some impulse control. Though if I fail to resist the temptation to grab that whole carton and finish it right now, that would definitely show a lack of impulse control. We all experience impulse control (or a lack there of) on a daily basis, and so do our dogs!
10 Games to Play With Your Dog for Enrichment
Play is one of the best ways to bond with your dog, build trust, and tire that pooch out so you can both snuggle up and watch Netflix. Of course, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways to play, so read on to ensure you are providing your dog with the best forms of play. These games are guaranteed to enrich your dog's life and build your relationship!
Holiday Gift Guide: Great Gifts for Dogs & Dog Lovers
‘Tis the season … to justify spending all your money on your pups! If you’re anything like me, you’ve already dressed them in ugly Christmas sweaters, baked them doggy-safe holiday biscuits, and danced with them to “Let it Snow.” Are you wondering what you can get them to make their holiday season even more magical? You’re in luck! We’ve done the work for you and put together this awesome holiday gift guide for dogs and dog lovers alike, guaranteed to make your darling jump for joy!
8 Easy Things You Can Do to Help Your Anxious Pup
Is your dog fearful, anxious, or reactive? All of the above? When you go to a movie, do you check your phone every 30 minutes, afraid you’ll get a call from the neighbors that your dog has been crying, or worse—jumped out the window? If this sounds like a day in your life with your pooch, they are suffering from excessive, unhealthy stress, which can also put your dog’s physical health at risk. We've got some great tips to help manage your dog's anxiety and stress!
How to Raise a Happy, Healthy German Shepherd [Video]
“The most amazing thing about training a German Shepherd is they are smart. The most annoying thing about training a German Shephard is they are smart,” says Trainer Kyle Kittleson. Most likely you are not going to be enrolling your German Shepherd into the police academy, but they still need a job to be fully engaged and happy in your family life. Kyle will teach you how to raise a happy German Shepherd.