We all know how important enrichment is for our animals. Enrichment gives them the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors and provides them with vital mental and physical stimulation. Sniffing, ...

Does your dog avoid or react to strangers? Bark, growl, run away, or hide? Here's what we suggest. (Note: Please consult with a professional trainer for biting.) Prepare Yourself Make ...

The legendary animal trainer Bob Bailey once said, “Training is a mechanical skill.” While it seems like it shouldn’t be complicated, it can be surprisingly tricky to juggle a leash, ...

It is great to have a dog that responds reliably to cues to "sit," "stay," "leave it," "come," etc., but wouldn't it be great if your dog naturally did these ...

Muzzles aren’t just for “dangerous dogs.” Any dog could potentially bite if they are injured, in pain, not feeling well, or scared. All dog owners should consider having a well-fitting, ...

Our last tip addressed things to consider when a dog is not responding to a trained cue.  We mentioned that the first step is always to rule out whether there ...

What do we do when a dog doesn’t respond to a cue, or won’t do a behavior we are asking? First and foremost, we want to make sure that there ...

One of the most misunderstood pieces of dog body language is the wagging tail.  Most of us have been taught that a wagging tail is a sign that a dog ...

These days, most of us are aware of the importance of socializing puppies in order to build good associations with the world around them.  But what do you do if ...

Many dog owners are familiar with the “puppy witching hour” – that period of time in the evening where your dog suddenly seems to have an excess of energy to ...

When we look at those puppy dog eyes, wiggly body, and wagging tail, we can’t help but believe that our dogs love us as much as we love them.  But ...

The internet is filled with pictures of people hugging their dogs, but have you ever taken a close look at those images?  The humans in these photos often look happy ...

Did you know that dogs (and, it appears, all animals) are “contra-freeloaders”? This curious phenomenon means that given the option, they would choose to perform a behavior to acquire food ...

You've heard the expression, "Don't get your hackles up!" And you've probably seen your dog’s hackles – the fur along their shoulders and spine – stand on end.  Known as ...

With the current long summer days, many of our dogs may be enjoying more time outside in the yard with us.  However, you may find that your dogs has begun ...

People often differentiate between “obedience” training for their dogs, and “trick” training.  Often we minimize behaviors that we label as “tricks,”  when in fact they can be very useful skills ...

As people are increasingly going back to the office, many dog parents are concerned about their pet experiencing separation anxiety.  Separation anxiety is a fairly common behavior issue, but often ...

It never fails – no sooner does Fido return from the groomer looking clean and smelling fresh then he finds something gross and stinky to roll in.  You see him ...

Does your puppy tend to drool excessively or even vomit when riding in a car? Car sickness is a fairly common problem, especially among puppies.  Over time, most puppies will ...

As the winter weeks go on, many people and dogs are starting to get cabin fever. Snow and ice and frigid temperatures may be making it more difficult to get ...

It is a common scenario – the three year-old dog that used to be the life of the dog park is now less interested in romping with the group.  To ...

It is a story that trainers often hear: “My dog rolled over asking for a belly rub from the neighbor, and then out of the blue bit her when she ...

In homes with children and dogs, it sometimes can be challenging to keep kid’s toys from becoming dog chew things, especially during the holidays or birthdays when toys are all ...

Do you and your dog both dread toe-nail trims?  Then why not give your dog the opportunity to give themselves a pedicure on their own by making it into a ...

(Did you miss Part 1?) We show you how to train your dog to file their own nails by swiping at a sandpaper board... and while it is often relatively ...

Choosing a safe and responsible boarding home or facility for your beloved pet is an important part of planning a getaway. With many unregulated and unlicensed homes and facilities providing ...

Submissive Urination Submissive urination occurs when a dog feels threatened. It may occur when he’s being punished or verbally scolded, or when he’s approached by someone he perceives to be ...

Dogs and cats will sometimes eat socks, rocks or other objects, which may result in a variety of problems for both you and your pet. Not only can your possessions be destroyed or damaged, but objects such as clothing and rocks can produce life-threatening blockages in your pet’s intestines. Eating non food items is called pica. A specific ...