Often when we look at or make plans for behavior modification with our dogs the focus is on management and gradual exposure to stressors that allow the dog to practice alternate coping skills below threshold working to change the dog’s…
Snow Day Survival Strategies
This winter our weather patterns have been a tad unusual for sure. As a result the panic calls have been coming in March instead of the more typical January. The panic calls that occur often like clockwork about 2-3 days…
Teaching Dogs ‘The Basics’
The other day during a lesson with a long time client who has a new puppy she asked me, so when do we start teaching The Basics and how long will they take? I looked at her blankly. The Basics?…
Leashes in the House
Recently a number of folks I know have gotten puppies. And they’ve all asked my advice about house training, and keeping their pup out of trouble and such. And for all of them, as I recommend to anyone who asks…
Skill A Day: December Recap & New January Goals
It’s the 30th and my challenge to myself of Skill A Day for a month is complete. Tomorrow we get to play agility!!! At a trial. And it will hopefully be super fun. Because what could ever be more fun…
Skill A Day: Day 13 E.T. Phone Home
I spend rather a lot of time sitting, resting on the couch in the grand scheme of my days. As a result, the dogs and I create a variety of silly games and tricks that amuse us as we pass…
When Injury Happens
In the past some people have expressed wonder why I spend as much time as I do teaching my dogs husbandry behaviors. Why I spend so much effort and time teaching them to be ok with nail trims. Or stand…
Click, click, click.
I am a stickler for short doggie nails. Apparently I am such of one that an acquaintance once told me right before she left her house to come visit she realized her dog’s nails were very long and she decided…