My dog is chewing everything!
Chewing is a natural instinct for your dog. It serves some important purposes like helping to keep teeth clean, as well as relieving stress and boredom. Problems can quickly arise when chewing moves from appropriate toys to inappropriate items like furniture or clothing. To help correct this problematic behavior, it is important to understand the […]
Biting
Puppy mouthing, play biting, there are a lot of names for what amounts to the same thing. Especially with smaller or young dogs, this might not seem like a big deal, but it can quickly get out of hand and it becomes annoying and problematic. If you watch dogs play, many of them use their […]
Should you use Hand Signals in training?
There is loads of research out there to show us that dogs learn very well from visual cues and body language. Many trainers and owners use some form of hand signal, although the exact signals used vary greatly. So, why do they use them, and should you use them with your dog? Dogs will generally […]
Food Aggression
Why do some dogs act aggressively over food? Well, food is a resource, a vital one, so it has a lot of value for most dogs. This behavior falls into the broader category of Resource Guarding. Some dogs will behave this way with toys, or even their owners, but food aggression tends to be the […]
Engaging and motivating your dog
Do you frequently find yourself getting frustrated that your dog seems to pay more attention to everything else than he does to you? If your dog is ignoring you for other things, it can be everything from irritating to unsafe. Building engagement and motivate your dog is key to having an attentive, well-behaved pet. First, […]
Nothing for Free Policy
Your dog dropped his toy at your feet to signal he wanted to play NOW! Before starting dog games We have suggested to first ask your dog to do a “sit” or “down”. Once he has done what she asked, playtime can begin! Games where you teach your dog to do an extended “sit-stay” or […]
Separation Anxiety
Solving separation anxiety can be tough! Acting destructive or barking and crying when left alone is often a combination of demand behavior and anxiety. The most important lesson for solving separation anxiety is having your dog learn to settle and become more comfortable alone — while you are home. The best practice for treatment and […]
Excessive Barking
Barking is an important form of communication. Dogs bark as a way to ‘talk’ with other dogs and communicate with us. In your house, your dog uses his super-sensitive awareness, hearing, sense of smell…to alert the pack of possible danger. At the same time, barking serves the purpose of telling the intruder they’ve been noticed. […]
Protective Dog
If your dog is behaving aggressively, it seems the right thing to do would be to scold him when he is barking or lunging. However, ANY attention coming from his family might actually reward him! Raising your voice and scolding him might be misunderstood as your approval. He could think you are also upset at […]
Top 5 Boredom Busters
Start working on fun new trick! Some classics include: Play dead, roll over, shake, or high-five. Want something a little more advanced? Turn that high-five into a wave so your dog can wave hello to all his friends. Get a puzzle toy! Your local pet store, Amazon, Chewy, the options are endless for a place […]
