Dogs are wonderful in so many ways, but they can also annoy us, damage things, and leave a trail of chaos in their wake! If you find yourself constantly saying “no” to your dog, it can get exhausting. Turn things around by saying “yes” instead, and see how this may be even more effective. Why … Read moreA “Yes” For Every “No”: Alternatives to Problem Dog Behavior
Have you noticed your dog slowing down as they’ve gotten older? Are they playing less, jumping less, or sleeping more? Has their behavior changed–becoming less social or tolerant of petting? What about house training or relationships with other pets? Not as good as they used to be? Dogs can experience many changes as they get … Read moreGetting Older Doesn’t Have to Suck: Life with Senior Dogs
Chasing things that move, being cautious around strangers, or never seeming to get tired are just some of the many challenges that families can experience with their dogs. And while all of these behaviors can have negative impacts, it can be useful to know that they are the same traits that were purposely selected for … Read moreIt’s Not a Bug, It’s a Feature: Breed-specific Tendencies
Could your dog be in pain? None of us want that to be the case, but knowing how to identify pain is key to supporting your dog’s well-being. There is No Test for Pain There is no test or diagnostic that your vet can run to definitively rule out pain. This includes bloodwork, fecal or … Read moreNo Test for Pain: What You Need to Know to Care for Your Dog
What is “normal” for your dog, in terms of health and behavior? Does that “normal” represent their optimal wellbeing? Just because something has been going on for a long time doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be addressed. Photo Credit: SSidde/Pixabay.com “Normal” Doesn’t Always Equal “Okay” For the purposes of this discussion: “Normal” = typical, … Read moreNormal But Not Okay
Teaching your dog “tricks” can be about a lot more than fun and games. Tricks can create more options for desirable behaviors and build confidence. From your dog’s point of view, there’s no difference between being taught an important life skill and “trick,” so let’s explore why teaching tricks can have so many positive effects. … Read moreNot Just Fun and Games: The Value of Trick Training
Have you ever found yourself repeatedly asking your dog to do something, only to have them ignore you? It can be frustrating and embarrassing! What can you do with a dog who doesn’t listen to you? Why They Don’t Listen It can feel easy to label your dog as “stubborn”, “dominant”, “lazy”, or any number … Read moreWhat To Do When Your Dog Doesn’t Listen
Do you make time to stop and smell the roses? What about giving your dog time to do so? A dog’s sense of smell is key to how they experience the world. Let them sniff and enjoy it. Why Is Sniffing So Important? Sniffing is a “species-typical” behavior, meaning that most dogs, by nature, find … Read moreLet Your Dog… Sniff
Is your dog a toy murderer? Do they seem to thrive on tearing up beds, pillows, or even the trash? Let’s talk about destruction, what you can do about it, and why you shouldn’t try to completely stop it. Why Your Dog Can’t Stop Destroying Tearing things apart to get to what’s inside is a … Read moreLet Your Dog… Destroy Things
The common adage says “a tired dog is a good dog.” Sounds reasonable, right? Like most things though, it depends! Getting enough exercise and mental stimulation is important but so is getting enough rest. In fact, some dog behavior “problems” can be a direct result of being TOO tired! Why Rest is Important While we … Read moreIs a Tired Dog a Good Dog?