(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...]
Smart Dog Newsletter – Summer 2015
Our summer newsletter is now available! Articles on managing indoor energy, dog-child etiquette, running with your dog and more! Click on the link below to view the newsletter! Summer 2015 … [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...]
Starting off on the Right Paw – Part 1: Choosing the Right Breed
There is so much that's exciting about bringing home a new dog. For me, the best part is anticipating the new bond and complex relationship that will form between the new dog and the rest of the family. However, for some families, this … [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...]
To Breed or Not to Breed?
I started my professional dog career as a shelter volunteer, then as a shelter staff member. For many years, my mantra has always been to rescue dogs. All of the dogs I’ve had as an adult have been rescued from one source or another as … [Read more...]
A family day trip to Lake Champlain
One of the things I love about living where we do is that there are so many interesting places to visit within a few hours’ drive. Back in early August, we decided to make a day trip to Burlington, VT via a ferry ride across Lake … [Read more...]
A Changed Dog: Musings on the importance of enrichment in dogs
My dog, Darwin, is one of the most laid back dogs I’ve ever known. With the exception of tracking (he is mostly beagle), he doesn’t generally get excited about anything. That includes food, toys and people or other dogs. He appears to … [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...]