Should You Bring Home The Baby Blanket For Your Dog To Sniff?

This post is for young families that include a dog. As an expecting parent, will it help your dog to accept your newborn baby if you bring home the baby blanket for your dog to sniff – in advance? Here are some parenting tips to consider when it comes to minimizing family dog stress, dog and child safety, and dog training for new parents.

This post is for young families that include a dog. As an expecting parent, will it help your dog to accept your newborn baby if you bring home the baby blanket for your dog to sniff – in advance?  Here are some parenting tips to consider when it comes to minimizing family dog stress, dog […]

Dog Training Is About Teamwork

Dog Training is about teamwork. The way I see it, teaching and learning is a collaborative effort. My student and I are a team. It is my goal to create an environment that is going to inspire the learner in front of me to want to participate, not through force but through choice. I value […]

Make Having Fun A Dog Training Habit

Here is a simple dog training tip: If you want your dog to give you attention, check in, and listen to you outside, you have to earn that privilege. Practice showing your dog that YOU have the power to make FUN things happen when your dog CHOOSES to give you attention outside. Do it often. […]

To Learn About Dog Training, Watch An Athlete Train

To learn about dog training, watch an athlete train

To learn about dog training, watch an athlete train. When you watch professional sports, even amateur sports at top competitive levels, you probably are not thinking about how the genetics of the athletes can influence endurance and natural ability. You probably also are not thinking about the hours, days, weeks and years of fitness and […]

Consider Growly Zones In Dog Management

Whether you have a family dog that includes kids and a dog or are a multi-dog household, consider growly zones as an important dog management consideration.

Why is predictability important to the welfare of our pets?

Predictability can go a long way toward helping an animal feel safe, which ultimately leads to that animal experiencing less stress, more quality of life and a desire to want to participate.

Why is predictability important to the welfare of our pets? Predictability can go a long way toward helping an animal feel safe, which ultimately leads to that animal experiencing less stress, more quality of life and a desire to want to participate.

Distractions and Loose Leash Walking: Walking Dog Past Geese

Let’s talk about dog training with distractions and loose leash walking. With my maltipoo dog, Dawson, being prone to react by barking at other dogs while on leash and within close proximity, many of our walks are not on neighborhood streets. On this path we are pretty sure to not see any dogs BUT we […]

Infant And Dog: Is This Affection Or Kiss To Dismiss?

How often it is that I see pictures or videos with scenes like this one of a stressed dog and an infant. Usually, the caption refers to how the dog is comforting the baby or how the dog is being friends with the infant. I can understand how a parent who is not Dog Aware* may see that. Parents want their dog and child to be friends. It is a natural line of thinking for these parents to think the dog body language is saying, “I love you.” The reality is, this may be an instant of Kiss to Dismiss. As a licensed Family Paws parent educator, I want to encourage you to look at this interaction between dog and infant differently.

How often it is that I see pictures or videos with scenes like this one of an infant and dog. Usually, the caption refers to how the dog is comforting the baby or how the dog is being friends with the infant. I can understand how a parent who is not Dog Aware* may see […]

Gaining Wings Book Helps Families Deal With Losing A Pet

Leave it to my friends at Angel’s Paws pet hospice to publish a wonderful book, Gaining Wings, all about helping families with kids deal with the grief of losing a pet when their pet goes over the Rainbow Bridge.

In my mind, there is no such thing as ‘just a pet’.  Animals that live and have lived in my home are very much part of my family. My dogs and birds have brought me comfort, listened when I needed an ear, been close when I just needed company, made me laugh and smile, and […]