The benefits of appropriate challenge We talk about enrichment in the dog world all the time. How important is it, really? It turns out that it’s very important! In fact, the very definition of enrichment states that it improves animal … [Read more...]
Lost in Translation: Sorting through commonly confused learning terms
Leena barks, lunges and generally loses her mind when she sees other dogs on a walk. Her owner and I are walking in the park so I can teach the owner how to change Leena’s behavior. When we see another dog at a distance, Leena freezes and … [Read more...]
Research Bites – Coming in January!
Hello everyone! It's been quite some time since I've posted, but I have been busily working on a new project behind the scenes. I am thrilled to announce the launch of Research Bites this coming January 2020! What is Research … [Read more...]
How do your emotions affect your dog?
You may have heard that dogs "lip lick" or "tongue flick" when they are stressed. A recent study by Albuquerque et al. (2018) used lip licking in dogs to assess their ability to respond to emotional cues in humans and dogs. Previous … [Read more...]
Journey of Finn – Are You a Puppy or a Piranha?
This week, Finn found his teeth. That means we've been doing some work on settle and impulse control. I am also continuing to work on socialization, loose leash walking and handling. In my posts I focus on the training we are doing … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Darwin
(I am taking a break this month from talking about getting a new dog. Instead, I’m going to use this time to talk about my personal journey with my dog, Darwin, in the hopes that it will be beneficial to others as well.) I’ve been … [Read more...]
Starting off on the Right Paw – Part 2: Choosing a good breeder
Last month, I talked about choosing the right breed in part 1 of my series on “Starting off on the Right Paw”. This month I will talk about finding a good breeder. If you choose to get a purebred puppy, finding a responsible and … [Read more...]
Reading Your Dog – Episode 2
It's been awhile since I posted Episode 1 in this series. I thought this time I'd focus on interactions between dogs and kids. Test Yourself Rate the scenarios below as red light (need to intervene right away), yellow light (might be … [Read more...]
How to Manage Your Dog’s Indoor Energy Level
One of the most common complaints I get from clients is that their dog is constantly pestering them for attention. Picture the scene - you come home from a long day of work and sit down on the couch to relax. Except that you can't relax … [Read more...]
Do e-collars speed learning in dogs?
Have you ever considered using an electronic collar (aka e-collar or shock collar) to train your dog? Perhaps you advocate against their use or feel they can be helpful in certain situations. The use of e-collars (one form of positive … [Read more...]