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Human-Canine Leadership

Dogs are pack animals. They live within a well-defined social hierarchy. Rules are simple. The rules are black and white, never gray. There is no 'maybe', 'perhaps' or 'sometimes' within the pack. How then, do we as a separate and distinct species live with our dogs displaying leadership? Read More...

Golden Nuggets for Training Your Dog

Looking for a few simple rules to get you started training your dog? Do you need some guidelines for establishing a good relationship with your new puppy? This short article will help you get started. Read More...

Dog Potty Training

There are a number of reasons for dogs soiling in the house. Some of these reasons are behavioral in nature. They can include changes in the environment (addition of a person to the household, a new spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend or another pet) a move to a new home, change in routines because of work schedules for instance, diet, marking territory, stress or high-level excitement, anxiety over being separated from you. Read More...

Crate Training a Dog

Dogs have a natural instinct to den. They find security and comfort in their dens. Typically, dogs keep a clean den, refusing to soil in it, which helps to keep other predators from finding young pups. You may have also noticed how your dog likes to lie under tables and chairs or seeks to curl up between a wall and couch or the corner of a room. They learn that they only have one direction to keep vigil over since nothing can approach from the other sides. Read More...

Train Your Dog to Handle Separation Anxiety

Dogs are social animals. Being separated from other members of the family/pack is stressful. Many dogs can handle the stress. Some cannot. As a result of this stress we see dogs that defecate and urinate throughout the house or chew up carpets, vinyl flooring, walls and sometimes for desert, the furniture. Each case has its level of severity. This is an issue that usually can be avoided by not making our coming and going a big celebration and by being careful to give the dog alone time when young. It is a condition easier to prevent than fix. Read More...

Selecting a Trainer

The correct selection of a professional trainer to help a family with their dog training and behavior problems is essential. A good trainer should combine a variety of methods and be sensitive to the individual needs of the owner and the dog. While convenience, cost and scheduling are considerations, finding a class, having in-home consultation or placing your dog into a Board and Train facility where you feel comfortable and successful should be your primary concern. These guidelines have been developed to help in that selection and permission is granted to copy them for clients. Shop around until you find a trainer that will work for you. Read More...

How to Choose a Veterinarian

A Veterinarian is a very important person to find if you have animals in your home. If possible, you should research to find a good Vet before you bring your pet home. If you move or your Vet leaves or you feel you must change Vets, do so promptly before your pet needs them. If you are simply looking for a person to impersonally give shots and routine care, you may not care about this article. On the other hand, maybe this article will help you understand how much of a difference there can be when your Vet is a part of your team. Read More...

Is Your Dog Addicted?

You may already be in trouble if you did not study the history and purpose of your purebred dog before you brought him home. Your failure to diligently manage your dog to prevent his characteristics from growing into dangerous obsessions could seal your dog's fate. Read More...

Training Your Dog to Overcome Toenail Terror

The problem with "toenail terror" is fear of dominant handling (handling the toes) and restraint. Heavy discipline compounds the problem. Positive reinforcement conditioning and calm determination on the part of the owner can overcome most "toe terrorists" in a very short time. The program outlined here calls for twice daily 5 minute training sessions for 1 month, each step lasting one full week. Read More...

Training Your Puppy Not To Bite

Not all puppy biting is created equal. First one needs to determine if the puppies are play biting or protest biting. Younger puppies usually use their mouths a LOT and some are very mouthy. Certain breeds are very oral (retrievers come to mind :) For simple play biting, especially with younger puppies, I suggest as the first line of defense, simply quietly and deliberately withdrawing from the pup. Especially if biting is directed at the hands, as when trying to pet the pup. Read More...