Welcome to the Smart Dog blog!  I have been thinking of writing a blog for some time now.  Initially, it was just a simple marketing idea – a platform for getting the word out about the business and demonstrating my dog behavior knowledge.  However, the idea in my head quickly grew to become much more than that.

I do want the blog to provide practical information about dog behavior.  In fact, it’s one of the main goals.  It’s so important.  There is so much misinformation out there about dogs and their behavior.  Information that can do so much harm.

We let these bright, beautiful, dynamic – and complicated – beings into our lives and they depend on us for their well-being and happiness.  We owe it to them to treat them right.  But we owe it to ourselves as well.  We love our dogs.  Love them in a way that cuts through the walls and defenses that we may have built around ourselves when dealing with humans, or with life in general.  So, when things go wrong it’s terrible and gut-wrenching.  We don’t want to see them in pain or distress, but we also want to be able to co-exist with them in a way that doesn’t bring additional stress into our lives.  So, information – accurate, accessible, and applicable information – is important.

But heart matters too.

I want this blog to get at the heart of living with a dog.  To reflect the love, joys, frustrations, and fears that accompany sharing our lives with these animals.  For me, having a dog is about sharing in the adventure of life with them.  So, expect to see some storytelling and travelogues here as well.

Blog Goals

I spent some time this week working on a specific list of goals for the blog.  They are listed below and should give you a good idea of what’s to come!

• Become a well-respected and  valuable resource for dog owners and dog professionals alike
• Capture the heart and soul of living with dogs (joy, love, heartbreak, etc.)
• Provide practical and accessible advice on living with dogs
• Dispel myths about dog behavior and replace them with science-based information
• Summarize current dog behavior-related research in a format that’s relevant and understandable to non-scientists
• Provide compelling stories about dog-related activities and travel

What kinds of things would you like to see me cover in the blog?  Leave you comment below!  (If comments aren’t enabled here yet, you can leave them on the Smart Dog Facebook page.)