A Game To Teach Self Control

The Red Light, Green Light game uses play and exercise to build skills of self-control in your dog. It is a ton of fun for both you and your four legged friend.  A pre-requisite for this game is to first work on teaching your dog controlled behaviors such as sit or down. This is a […]

Proofing and Fluency In Dog Training

It happens so often. People will tell me their dog knows behaviors such as sit, down, and stay but when I ask them to show me, either their dog does not immediately do the behavior or does not do the behavior at all. Or many times a dog will do the behavior that is cued […]

Dog On Leash Greetings: Good or Bad?

I was at a park the other day when I saw a mother and her two children walking their goldendoodle puppy, a 40 to 50 pound teddy bear who very clearly found interest in everything going on around them. I knew that by seeing his alertness in looking around, his tail held high or wagging, […]

Should Pet Birds Be Allowed On Shoulders?

I’d like to address a question that is often asked by those who have birds.

Tips for Acclimating New Dogs

It is not uncommon for people to bring home a second dog, and often do not know how to help facilitate a positive introduction. This video does an excellent of of demonstrating how to do that in a neutral place. It also talks about acclimating a newly adopted pet upon your first arrival home.

Benefits Of Kongs To Dogs

There are so many benefits to giving your dog a stuffed Kong, or other food chew toy or activity toy. When you just put food in a bowl, typically either your dog will either gobble it up quickly or graze slowly which may lead to your leaving food out all day. In either case, there […]

Tips For Getting Out Of Show-Me-The-Money Cycle

Are you among the many dog owners who have a pet those goes into ‘Show me the money’ mode before deciding whether to do anything you ask?  It is such a common problem.

Solving Loose Leash Walking Problem

Is it an issue of having more control? The other day I began working with a client (and his dog) on loose leash walking skills. As I initially watched them walk together, I saw that, while they walked side-by-side without distractions, if Fido’s nose picked up on something to sniff, he simply stopped to sniff while […]

Stopping Your Dog From Biting The Leash

I have seen and heard about the problem with large and small dogs and puppies. Instead of walking with all four paws on the ground on a loose leash as their head is facing forward or slightly to the side, they are grabbing at the leash to pull it, chew on it or play with […]

Teaching Cues In Dog Training

I see it happen a lot. People ask their dog to do a behavior (give their dog a cue) and their dog does any number of things EXCEPT the behavior that is asked of it to do.