There is a lot of dog training material and advice out there on the information superhighway. Unfortunately, not all of the books on display on Amazon are created equal. How do you know what to is useful and what might be wrong or even potentially harmful for your dog? Here is a breakdown of some … Read more
Retractable leashes are one of those things that dog trainers love to hate. This is partially due to the fact that retractable leashes are made with convenience, not training, in mind. But the real problem with retractable leashes in most dog trainer’s minds is that people just don’t seem to know how to use them correctly. … Read more
Do you find yourself wondering where you can buy a better, stronger, indestructible crate? Is your dog escaping their kennel, or destroying it while you’re away? This issue may be less about the quality of the crate you’re using, and more about the quality or your training. Let’s be clear here: an escape-proof dog crate … Read more
The average cat spends most of its day doing nothing. Cat puzzle toys can fix that! Cats (and most other predators) do tend to spend more time sleeping than herbivores. However, our domestic cats generally spend hardly any time working for their food. That’s where cat puzzle toys come in handy. I’m going to say … Read more
Treats are an important part of training. They work to reinforce behaviors we would like our dogs to do more of. Treats also work to create positive associations with new items, like truck backfires or men in hats. In other words, treats help us teach our dogs to do more of what we like and … Read more
Sometimes, people come to me asking if their dog is a dangerous or “red zone dog.” The reality is, all dogs can bite and would in the wrong situation. Some dogs, however, are far more dangerous than others. As a behavior consultant who loves working with tough, marginal dogs, I see a lot of scary … Read more
Off-leash obedience is one of the most coveted skills in dog training, especially among my fellow Coloradoans. Friends who know that I don’t like using e-collars ask: how do I teach my dog to hike off-leash without an e-collar? The answer is called boundary training. Having great off-leash obedience lets you and your dog enjoy nature … Read more