Can you recognize a dog Kiss to Dismiss

Understanding your dog’s body language is important to strengthening your relationship with your dog.

Minimizing Your Dog’s Stress This Halloween

While Halloween is a lot of fun for kids and kids at heart, trick-or-treating night can be difficult for our dogs. There are many strange noises, sights and activity, and sometimes dogs are forced to wear costumes they do not like. Some dogs enjoy seeing the trick-or-treaters but can be prone to jumping on them […]

Are You Paying Attention To Your Dog’s Body Language?

Paying attention to your dog’s body language and communication builds trust and comfort. It can go a long way to support your dog’s need for safety in his interactions with you. Teaching your children how to recognize this is also very important. If you live in the Cincinnati area, I have free kids classes on […]

A Crawling Baby Can Stress Your Family Dog

A parenting tip to help keep your baby AND your family dog safe, and encourage more positive associations.

To Have A Better-Behaved Dog, Consider What Happens Between Your Training Sessions

Every waking moment of every day and every interaction your dog has with you and the environment is teaching your dog what works, what matters, and what associations to have.

Parents, YOU Are ALWAYS Teaching

Teaching happens whether we intend it or not. Our interactions cause others to learn positive AND negative associations with situations, and with us.

Even Tolerant Dogs Can Bite

When parents of young children prepare to bring a dog into their home, it is common for them to look for a ‘tolerant’ dog breed. A family dog who will be ‘safe’ around small children. This is an important conversation for all parents and families. Understanding tolerant dogs can go a long way toward preventing […]

Associative Learning In Dogs And Parrots

Associative learning. What is it and how can understanding it help you to have a ‘better behaved’ pet? How does associative learning impact your success in dog training, parrot training or other pet training?

Recognizing Dog Stress Signals Decreases Bite Risk

Understanding and responding to your dog’s body language and dog stress signals is a very important piece of keeping everyone safe and preventing dog bites. Parents, these safety tips are especially important when your home includes a family dog with a newborn baby, toddler, or child; also when guests come to visit. In this photo […]

Managing Your Crawling Baby And Your Dog

I see so often in Youtube videos and online photos. A baby is crawling toward the family dog. (I also see babies and toddlers grabbing the dog, holding the dog’s collar, or putting a tiny hand in the dog’s food bowl) Honestly, these situations make me uneasy. I know there are very well intentioned, loving […]