Instead Of A Bad Dog, Your Dog May Be Distressed

I encourage you to give this some thought. Thinking about your pet as being bad can lead you down the path of using punishment to change behavior. Considering instead that your pet is struggling with something difficult will encourage you to help your pet with its distress.

I encourage you to give this some thought. Thinking you have a bad dog can cause you to use punishment to change. Instead consider that your dog’s barking and growling may be caused by distress.

Why Is Your Dog Stubborn?

Reasons why you may have a stubborn dog.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard the complaint, “My dog is stubborn.” It seems to be an epidemic among the canine species and apparently it is easily spread from one household, one animal to another. But, it also apparently mutates. A stubborn dog could be one that stays standing or even lunges […]

Profile: Mollie Watson Has A Heart For Senior Dogs

Q102's Mollie Watson shares her story of adopting a senior rescue dog from the My Furry Valentine event

I have been to so many dog rescue adoption events. I’ve had my heart tugged by more experiences than I can count. Young dogs and puppies that are bouncing around, running into the arms of awaiting people. Young dogs and puppies who are more reserved, sticking closely to the volunteers who have come to be […]

Parents: You Are Always Modeling Behavior

parenting tip: you are always modeling behavior for your kids. Be Dog Aware and teach your child to be Dog Aware of how to interact appropriately and read your dog's body language.

Parents, it is important that you remember, you are ALWAYS modeling behavior for your child to learn. The way that your child sees you behaving around others is very likely to be repeated. When you do things to or around your dog (or other non-human animal), your son or daughter may end up doing that […]

Holding A Successful Dog Play Date

tips for planning a successful dog or puppy play date

Playing is such a great for form of enrichment, exercise and practice of social skills. That is…so long as it is good, healthy play. If it isn’t a positive experience for both dogs or puppies, it could be teaching and strengthening behaviors you don’t want to see. And, be aware that, just like with human […]

Dog Stress Around Kids: Proximity Matters

dog bite prevention myth: A child has to be directly interacting with a dog before a potential problem can occur.

Dog Bite Prevention Myth About Dogs And Kids: A child has to be directly interacting with a dog before a potential problem can occur.  This past fall/early winter, I completed a 13-week program to be certified as a Family Paws parent educator. This topic was a discussion point in one of our group calls.

Dog Self-Handicapping In Play

understanding dog self-handicapping

I smile every time I see this video of Auggie, an aussiedoodle client of mine, and the little puppy. When a larger dog – who rumbles and tumbles and chases with the best of the other large dogs – flops over on her belly with loose muscles to play differently with a puppy or small […]

Teaching Puppy To Go Down Stairs

teaching a Westie puppy to go down stairs

Going up and down stairs can be scary for puppies. This little boy would not go into his garage on his own. I suggested we use pads to lessen the height between steps and make it less intimidating for him. It didn’t take long before he went down them. Then we practiced it multiple times […]