It’s been a week since Zelda came home with us, brought home on Boo’s birthday. Since then, we’ve gotten to really know her, and have…
The Gift of Testing
I’ve been influenced greatly by a blog post I’ve referenced multiple times in various conversations, and this post goes along with it. That post is…
Growls and Bites
This is part four of a four-part series on dog bites Each age range of child has different specifics to watch out for, so…
Why Management Prevents Bites
This is part three of a four-part series on dog bites. Management is key to successfully creating this strong positive relationship. Most bites (and…
Dogs, Bites, and Children
This is part two of a four-part series on dog bites. As a professional in the animal world, I hear it all the time.…
Dogs, Bites, and Communities
This is part one of a four-part series on dog bites. Did you know that in 2011 there were over 70 million dogs and…
The Unexpected
Many adult dogs have difficulties with unexpected events. This is why socialization as a puppy is so important- it reduces the likelihood that a particular…
Identification
I thought I would take a moment to discuss proper identification of your pets. There are many things to consider, but the most important thing…
Furry Friends for Babies, Too!
When I worked at the shelter, I was surprised at first by the sheer number of cats that came into the shelter because a baby…
To “No” or not to “No”
There is a trend in the dog training world that owners should never correct or punish their dogs-even to the point of never saying “No”.…
Product Review: Kyjen Dog Games Tennis Slider
I was recently fortunate enough to have a product sent to me from Kyjen for review. The product is a Dog Puzzle Game called the Tennis Slider.…
Book Review: Inside of a Dog
I recently finished reading a delightful book that I stumbled upon in the Dubuque library. It was written by Alexandra Horowitz and is titled Inside…
“Vicious Breeds”
There are many myths that abound in society than I and other trainers are constantly working to debunk. Among the constant streams of “his tail’s…
The “S” word
In the dog training world, you hear about it all the time. As a trainer, I am taking about it constantly. For puppies and fearful…
Puppy Picker: Which Pup to Choose?
Okay, so you’ve settled on a breed, and you’ve found a couple responsible breeders and/or shelters with litters to choose from. You go to look…