Dog Behavior and Training Digest

When it comes to our beloved pets, many people don’t like to set too many limits. Even the most strict of pet owners will usually admit that they like to spoil their pet sometimes, and of course, a little spoiling is okay.
However when not enough limits are set, several problems can arise. Firstly, the fact […]

Socializing your dog is a very important aspect toward having a well-adjusted, well-behaved pet. Of course, it’s also usually fun to take your dog for walks, to the park or even for a ride in the car. But even if you don’t particularly enjoy taking your dog places, it’s still important to get him out […]

One of the fun parts of getting a pet is picking out a name. I have seen some trends come and go over the past 13 years of being a dog trainer, while others seem to be consistently popular.
For example, in the late 1990’s, Elmo was a very popular name, with kids taking a role […]

Although to many of us, the “rules” are common sense, there are of course people who either don’t realize or choose not to follow the etiquette of dog walking. In order to clear up any potential confusion, I thought I would take this opportunity to be the “Miss Manners” of the dog world.
For example, when […]

Once upon a time, there was a Grandma. She has always loved golden retrievers and has enjoyed their exuberant, loving personalities throughout her lifetime.
Unfortunately Grandma’s latest golden retriever passed away at the age of 14. She loved that dog so much and was heartbroken at the loss. She cried for quite some time and continued […]

With all the holiday festivities we all enjoy this time of year, it’s important to remember your pet when you do your holiday shopping.
Not only will your dog enjoy a nice new toy or two from Santa on Christmas morning, but from a practical viewpoint, making sure your dog has a toy to keep him […]

“Ahh… the Christmas tree… a giant stick! And it even has balls hanging on it! It’s the dog toy of my dreams!” This is likely how your puppy or young dog views this central holiday decoration that graces your home.
However, aside from the obvious fact that you don’t want your dog to knock over the […]

It’s the first week of October and as the air begins to cool also comes the reality that there are many holidays coming just around the corner. And holidays mean candy in bowls, food on counters, doors opening, guests arriving and perhaps joining you for a meal. So what does this mean for your dog? […]

With so many types of collars to choose from, it can be confusing to figure out which one is best for your dog or puppy. You’ll want to keep in mind your dog’s health and safety, while also having some control over your pet during walks.
Your dog needs a collar for several purposes, but […]

One of the most misunderstood commands in dog training is the “come” command. For some reason, we humans realize that we have to teach our dogs how to “sit” and “stay,” but somehow we expect them to automatically know what we mean when we call them to “come.”
My husband Frank is fond of explaining to […]