Most pet owners have heard the term pecking order with the rise of television training shows and the internet, but many do not understand this concept or how to establish it with their pets. Pecking order is the way each dog, cat, or monkey’s, brain is hardwired to deal with…
When it comes to disciplining their dog most people either don’t discipline at all or use an unbalanced form of discipline. Even professional dog trainers can be at fault here depending on the method. Any child psychologist will tell you that raising a child that is a functioning member of…
There is nothing like getting a new puppy. The hope and excitement of raising a companion through the seasons of life is an exhilarating time. Until the signs appear that maybe this puppy cannot hear? Now what? A talk with the veterinarian may or may not give a true answer.…
Animal Planet's, It's Me or the dog host, Victoria Stilwell gives Unleash 5 top dog training tips. 1. Use positive reinforcement. Instead of being a dominant owner, be a calm teacher who rewards and encourages good behavior. 2. Learn how to think dog. Understand the world from a dog's point of…
In training your dog there are a few major downfalls that you are sure to encounter. Knowing them before you reach this point is very helpful to avoiding stressful situations later. The biggest mistake most people make is also the easiest for new trainers to fall victim to. This is…
In previous articles, we discussed the causes of fearfulness in dogs, appropriate ways to manage scared dogs, and the need for developing a slow-but-steady, systematic approach to helping dogs overcome fear towards humans. In this article we will discuss a tried and true way of dealing with other manifestations of…
Obedience training is one of the most important aspects of raising a dog. In fact, a well trained dog is by far a happier dog! Why? Because a trained dog requires fewer restrictions. The more reliable the dog, the more freedom he is given. For example, many stores and businesses…
Getting a new puppy is an exciting time for any dog lover and we would like to think that we’ll be the very ‘best’ owner that dog could’ve hoped for! We’ll provide the best of foods, plenty of fresh water, lots of toys and play with it after we return…
All dogs need an outlet for their energy, and a couple walks per day usually will suffice. However, some dogs seem to have an endless amount of energy, regardless of how much activity and attention you give them. These dogs usually are prone to mischief and require a more thoughtful…
The use of electronic training devices has become increasingly widespread. Last year pet owners worldwide purchased more than 500,000 remote training shock collars, over 1,000,000 pet containment systems, and almost 900,000 bark collars.Why the popularity? These training systems have become much more affordable, and pet owners are finding them to…
Humans need to feel connected to others, and we sometimes bond as deeply with our dogs as we do with those of our own species. However, the flavors of human-canine bonding can vary wildly. On one end of the spectrum are those who fall in love with dogs based on…
For tens of thousands of years, humans have bred dogs to accentuate characteristics that are useful for us and eliminate traits we dislike. That is why dogs integrate so easily into our families and are called “man's best friend.” They can help us navigate streets if we cannot see, pick…
As a trainer, I never discourage dogs from barking to alert you someone is at the door. In fact, I think alert-barking is useful because it lets the person at the door know you have a dog (which could be discouraging if an uninvited knocker has ill intentions). However, some…
It does not take long for chewing-obsessed dogs to do a lot of damage. They can turn the legs of wooden furniture into sawdust, ventilate your shoes, make your shag carpet bald and un-upholsterer your furniture. The good news is, destructive chewing usually is easy to stop. Whenever a client…
Ancient Egyptians revered their dogs. When a pet dog would die, the owners shaved off their eyebrows, smeared mud in their hair, and mourned aloud for days.