A reliable recall is often thought of as the holy grail in dog training. It's one of the toughest things to train because it takes patience, great timing, dedication & lots of rewards. And not just any rewards, either. You're going to need to … [Read more...]
3 Easy Ways to Increase Your Dogs Play Drive
Dogs, like us, are one of the only mammals that play well into adulthood. And while we may not think much of it the truth is dogs thrive on interactive play. Play is a great stress reliever, it's a hell of a workout, and it helps creates a strong … [Read more...]
59 Simple Life Hacks for Dog Owners
Over the years I've learned a quite a few life hacks for dog owners. Some of it was learned by reading & research, but most of it was learned the old fashioned way -- through trial & error. So I thought it would be nice to write them down and … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Boost Your Dogs Confidence
Does your dog act shy or fearful around new people or situations? If so you're not alone. A lot of dogs have confidence issues, even when we try our best to socialize them well. Luckily there are a few things you can do to boost your dogs … [Read more...]
10 Dog Training Tips I’m Tired of Hearing
Dog Training Has Come A Long Way I've been obsessed with dogs for years, and I still remember vividly all those dogs books I owned back in the 80's with all sorts of "solid" advice. Piles and piles of books, each one telling your how to choose and … [Read more...]
The Importance of Adding Mental Exercise to Your Dogs Routine
Have you seen those people that walk their dogs by letting them run alongside their car? In my neighborhood there's a few people that do that, and although they are providing physical exercise I question how safe and effective it is. But at least … [Read more...]
Is Positive Reinforcement Training Finally The Norm?
Did you have a dog growing up? Think about how your family approached training. If yours was anything like mine (or the majority of people before the 1990's) there was probably a lot of punishment and a lot of yelling. Yes, there was always … [Read more...]
5 Methods That Will Help Reduce Resource Guarding
Disclaimer: Resource guarding (commonly referred to as food aggression) is a serious behavior. If your dog exhibits any aggression or guarding that you're uncomfortable with please seek the help of a professional. Resource guarding won't just go … [Read more...]
Do Yourself a Favor and Teach Your Dog to Chase Bubbles
Entertaining a dog doesn't get much easier than blowing bubbles. When it comes to keeping your dog busy and active you're golden if you can teach your dog to chase bubbles. I'm not sure how this came about but Laika had an epiphany this month. It … [Read more...]
Are Squeaky Toys Too Stimulating For Your Dog?
I keep reading that squeaky toys can cause aggression, resource guarding, and predatory instincts in dogs. I've yet to see any of those behaviors with my dog, but they certainly create extremely high levels of excitement. Is it just innocent fun or … [Read more...]