Stranger Danger: Why Your Dog Doesn’t Like Strangers
My dog, Juno, is afraid of people. Not all people ring the five-alarm bells though: it’s not like she cowers to hide from everyone. She mostly just has no interest ......
5 Tips to Take Your Dog Camping in the Desert
As most adventurers know, spending time outside with your dog is one of the best things ever. One of my personal favorite places to go is the desert outside of ......
Bocce’s Bakery Monster Munch Treat Review
I know it is still only September, and I am embarrassed to admit this, but I have already begun thinking about Halloween! I love the crisp air and crunchy leaves. ......
Simple Birthday Cake for Your Dog
Peanut just turned one and to commemorate the day I wanted to do something special. I love having cake on my birthday and I figured why couldn’t Peanut have some ......
Seeing The Forest for the Trees
I went to a conference for wildlife conservation last weekend. And I had a good reminder of seeing the forest for the trees. Barley was our demonstration/ambassador dog for the ......
Baby Prep for Dogs 2: Baby Proofing Cues
I’m currently around six months pregnant. With two sensitive dogs in my life, baby prep has meant a lot more training than nursery decorating for me. As a Family Paws ......
The 9 Benefits of A Balcony Catio
Apartment living can be tough for cats. It’s a constant battle to give your kitty enough enrichment while keeping her safe. A balcony catio can help give your cat the ......
Preparing Dogs for Life with Baby: Making A Plan
Dogs and babies – there’s no cuter combination! But with all this cuteness also comes a lot of potential for safety issues. There is nothing that changes our lives quite ......
Our New Puppy Poops in the House Every Night
Potty training is one of those parts of dog ownership that most of us would rather avoid. I love training dogs, but potty training? No, thank you! In today’s Ask ......
Help! My Dog Barks at Every Little Sound!
Barking is a totally natural and normal way for dogs to communicate. We have selectively bred certain breeds of dogs for their barking abilities! The problem is that it can ......
Terrain DOG Adventure Pack Review
People use dog backpacks for a variety of reasons – to have their dogs haul their own supplies during backpacking trips, to help build up muscle and endurance for their ......
Great Dog-Friendly Crags in the Southwest
Sharing nature and your passion is such a fun thing to do with your dog! If you have never brought your dog climbing with you before, check out this post ......
Camping With Your Dog
Getting outside with your friends, four-legged and otherwise, is a great way to have a new adventure and enjoy some quality time with others. But once you get off the ......
5 Ingredient Paw Salve
Summer usually means breaking out the hiking boots and hitting the trail with your dog. While this is a great way to get outside, stay fit, and have an adventure, ......
What Should I Do If A Dog Charges Me and My Dog?
I run marathons – and my dog Barley joins me on nearly every single training run. While I spent 2018/19 traveling through 18 states and 8 countries, running with Barley ......
Help! My Dog is Scared of Going Outside!
Dogs love (and need) walks, right? That’s like… the central tenet of dog ownership. But what if your dog is scared of going outside? What do you do? In today’s ......
Review: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, Raw Dog Food
My dog has been a picky eater since the day we brought him home. He turned his nose up at the training treats we bought, his kibble, even the cooked ......
Why Does My Dog Growl When I Tell Him to Sit?
For most dogs, getting trained is a fun time. But some dogs growl during training. In our latest Ask a Behavior Consultant, we’re looking at the case of a young ......
My Dog Attacks Other Dogs in Doorways: Spatial Resource Guarding
Resource guarding and dog-dog aggression can take many forms. One of the more challenging presentations of this problem is “space guarding” or “spatial resource guarding.” What that means is one ......
Cat Enrichment Explained: Ideas for Enriching Your Cat’s Environment
This article is courtesy of Emily Parker from Catological. Cats lead very active lives in the wild where they have endless opportunities to stalk prey, explore, and climb to their ......
Why Does My Dog Destroy Stuff After My Spouse and I Fight?
I recently was asked by a reader who wrote into my Ask a Behavior Consultant inbox, “Why does my dog destroy things around the house when left alone after my ......
My Dog Attacked My Other Dog After a Vet Visit – Yikes!
I received an Ask a Behavior Consultant inquiry last week that said, “My younger Shepherd brutally attacked the older chow mix after the chow got back from the vets office. ......
Help! My Dog Barks When Other Dogs Ignore Him
When your dog is that dog at the park, “the barker”, it can become frustrating and embarrassing. Barking in social situations can happen for a number of reasons. Our reader ......
Canna-Pet Review
I was devastated when Maya, my childhood Labrador retriever, was diagnosed with cancer. At nearly 15, she wasn’t a candidate for surgery or any other aggressive treatments. Her remaining months ......
Cragging With a Dog
Many people who love to rock climb also happen to love, and own, at least one dog. The two seem to go hand in hand, and yet it so often ......
Review: Smart Cookie Barkery, Wild Boar and Sweet Potato Treat
As an avid treat maker, I am a big fan of all-natural snacks for my dog. Knowing what ingredients go into your dog’s treats and food is huge. I recently ......
Review: Joint Supplement Cosequin D5
After a recent trip to the vet I learned that my dog has mild patellar luxation in his hind legs. I always noticed that sometimes on walks he would suddenly ......
Review: Nutrisource Dog Treats
Having been born and raised in Minnesota, I am always excited to find treats from this neck of the woods. While on a puppy play date I noticed these Nutrisource ......
Do Shock Collars Hurt Dogs? The Answer: Yes, or They Wouldn’t Work.
One of the main questions, when people are considering using a shock collar, is whether or not these training collars will hurt their dogs. Modern shock collars often have up ......
Are Shock Collars Safe for Puppies?
Let’s face it: puppies and teenage dogs can be a huge pain in the butt. It can be tempting to want to just reach for a remote that could stop ......
My Dog Won’t Stop Barking at the Door
Do you get a bit anxious when you hear someone knock at the door, because you know your dog is about to berserk? If your dog barks at the door, ......
Why Does My Dog Hump? Is She Being Dominant?
There are a lot of human assumptions as well as misconceptions around dogs mounting and humping other dogs. This is where dog culture and human culture tend to clash. What ......
Review: Bye Bye, Dog Breath Dental Stick, by This Dog’s Life
If there is one topic in dog hygiene that dog owner’s always want to know more about it is dog breath. If you have ever come within a few inches ......
3-Ingredient Blueberry Banana Ice Cubes
As hot days become more common, it is nice to find fun ways to cool off your pet Change things up with these refreshing and entertaining doggy ice cubes. They ......
‘Knead Love’ Dog Treat Baking Mixes
I love making things from scratch. Dog treats, human treats, you name it. But sometimes there just isn’t enough time to prepare healthy, all-natural treats. That’s where Knead Love comes ......
Doggie Cheddar Potato Bites
I love making treats out of leftovers! It is such a nice way to clear out the fridge and put everything to use. I find I often cook too many ......
Help! My Dog Attacks Other Dogs At Gates
Seeing your sweet, friendly dog suddenly turn into Kujo when he sees another dog through a fence or gate can be alarming, scary, and embarrassing! This is known in the ......
My Dog Bites When I Touch His Paws or Groom Him
Some dogs LOVE petting and brushing – but many don’t. Many dogs are deeply uncomfortable with having their paws handled or being groomed. If your dog doesn’t like being handled, ......
My Puppy Keeps Tackling Kids
8-week old puppies are (generally) pretty easy – just focus on potty training and socialization, and you’re fine. But then your puppy turns 4 or 5 months old, and your ......
Help! My Puppy Has Separation Anxiety!
We rescued our new puppy, Juno, from a little place called Marlborough, New Zealand. She was 11 weeks old, and the rest of her littermates were already adopted into their ......
My Female Dog is in Heat and Now My Male Dogs are Fighting
Managing homes with intact dogs can be a real pain in the butt. If you have both male and female dogs, it’s not unusual for the social dynamics in the ......
Sleepypod Clickit Terrain Harness Review
I do a lot of driving with my dog, Barley. We’ve driven from Canada to Panama and have crisscrossed the US several times. I’m always looking for better ways to ......
Ruffwear Load Up Car Harness Review
I’ve never had Barley in the car during an accident, but it’s a serious fear of mine. Barley and I drive together a lot – hours and hours every week, ......
NomNomNow Review: Fresh, Healthy Pet Food Delivery
When Barley and I lived in Latin America, I fed him home-prepared raw food. It was a ton of work and I didn’t always feel confident in his nutritional balance. ......
Is the Petzi Treat Pet Cam and Treat Dispenser Worth It?
I am so lucky to have a new puppy in my life, Juno. Juno is a typical amazing and exhausting puppy in every way, but she has some anxiety surrounding ......
Carrot Cake Treats
Sometimes it’s fun to make a more decadent treat that is extra special for your pup. These carrot cake mini muffins are a delicious and nutritious way to spoil your ......
Strawberry Banana Slushy
As things start to heat up outside you may notice the temperature taking a toll on your dog. Cool him off with this quick and easy recipe that is packed ......
My Dog Won’t Stop Barking at the TV
You get home from a long day at work, take the dog for a walk, and sink into your favorite chair to relax and watch TV. To your dismay and ......
Training a Conservation Detection Dog: Week 1
I recently accepted a position at Working Dogs for Conservation. I’m going to be the Communications and Outreach Coordinator there. WD4C trains some of the world’s best conservation detection dogs. ......
My Dog Killed Another Dog – What Do I Do?
I spent a long time debating whether or not to write this post. I got an email earlier this month from an owner whose dog has killed two other small ......
My Dog Is REALLY Aggressive to Other Dogs
Dogs are social animals. But that doesn’t mean that they all get along. Some dogs aren’t just socially awkward – they’re really aggressive to other dogs. Today’s “Ask A Behavior ......
My Cat Keeps Moving Her Litterbox Around
I got an interesting email in my “Ask a Behavior Consultant” inbox last week. Someone’s 1.5 year old cat was forcefully moving her litterbox around the house. The cat – ......
Flying Internationally with a Large Service Dog: What to Bring, What to Do
Barley and I flew from Panama to Minneapolis this weekend. It was his first time flying, and it went really smoothly! Getting to the point where my dog and I ......
Gluten-Free Carrot Treats
Have you ever found yourself with an overly ripe banana or slightly shriveled carrot that you hate to waste? If you answered yes then this is just the recipe for ......
Nutrient Packed Green Goodies
Eating your veggies is a great way to keep up on vitamins and minerals, and it is for your dog too! But just like us, most dogs don’t want to ......
Help! My Cat Keeps Pooping on the Carpet
Cats are usually really neat, tidy animals – especially compared to slobbery dogs! But litterboxes are the exception. What do you do if your cat keeps pooping on the carpet? ......
Leaving Panama With a Dog
We arrived in Panama at the end of our year-long road trip with Barley. We’ve crossed 9 international borders with him (US to Canada to US to Mexico to Belize ......
How Do I Stop My Puppy From Wrecking My Stuff When She’s Mad?
Puppy raising is NOT easy! “Teenage” dogs – dogs between about 7 and 18 months of age – can be especially difficult. So what are you supposed to do when ......
My Dog to is Uncontrollable Around Other Dogs – Help!
A lot of dogs are hypersocial – they get uncontrollably excited at the sight or sound of other dogs. This is a really frustrating behavior problem that can be embarrassing ......
How to Live With a Dog With Separation Anxiety
Living with a dog with separation anxiety is really hard. All of the good advice out there seems to agree on one thing: you can’t keep letting your dog panic ......
Two-Ingredient Protein Packed Salmon Jerky
Those who spend a lot of time outside with their dog know how nice it is to have a treat that travels well. This two-ingredient salmon jerky is a great ......
Five Ingredient Rice Treats
Wouldn’t you like to be able to use up leftover grains and also create a nutrient dense and healthy treat for your dog? Luckily you can with this versatile rice-based ......
Farm Hounds Jerky Treat Review
Farm Hounds is a brand of high-end dog treats – especially jerky treats. Farm Hounds treats are sourced from small family farms that focus on sustainability. As a dog-lover who ......
How to Help Kennel Crazy Dogs
Fred was a wild-eyed chocolate lab mix. His whole body wagged when you walked past his kennel, his paws pitter-pattering in anticipation of human contact. If you entered his kennel ......
Medical Rest and Separation Anxiety: How Do I Manage Both At Once?
Dogs who have separation anxiety, even mild separation anxiety, can be restless at best, or self-harm at worst. What happens when your dog needs to rest quietly for her health ......
My Dog Pulls Extremely Hard on Leash – How Do I Stop It?
Teaching our dogs to walk nicely on leash is actually one of the hardest things that many dog owners do. It’s incredibly frustrating for both you and the dog! Journey ......
My Dog is Chewing Up the Whole House
Most of us know that puppies chew up stuff. This common problem is annoying, expensive, and potentially even dangerous. Just because it’s normal for puppies to chew doesn’t mean all ......
My Dog Barks Non-Stop in His Kennel – What Should I Do?
Many dogs struggle a lot with crate training. How should you respond when your dog barks non-stop in his kennel? In today’s Ask a Behavior Consultant, we’re tackling the following ......
Help! My Dogs Beg for Breakfast Before Dawn!
Many dogs loooove their food. It’s part of what makes them so easy to train – and it’s what keeps them alive. But some dogs have a food obsession that ......
My Dog Eats Everything. How Do I Protect Him From Himself?
Many puppies explore the worlds with their mouths. But what should you do if your puppy actually eats a lot of dangerous things? Or what if your dog doesn’t grow ......
Help! My Dog Won’t Stop Marking in the House!
If you’ve ever had a dog who marks inside your house, you know how frustrating this problem can be. You might feel embarrassed, and you’re probably grossed out. In today’s ......
My Dog Gets Aggressive Around His Crate – What Should I Do?
Making a call about what to do with an aggressive dog is not easy. I created a checklist for aggressive dogs that you can use to try to sort out ......
My Child is Scared of My Jumpy, Bitey Puppy – Now What?
When you bring home a new puppy, you’re probably excited to introduce them to your child. But what happens if your puppy jumps and bites, which scares your son or ......
Flavor-Packed Picky Eater Crumbles
It still amazes me that some dogs can be so picky while others eat anything that fits in their mouths. My dog is very particular about treats and food. While ......
Organic Garbanzo Crunch Single-Ingredient Treats
When you are tight on time, it can be hard to make the gourmet treats your dog expects. This one ingredient treat is the easiest thing you will ever make ......
My Dog Breaks Out of Her Crate to Look for Us. Help!
Dogs are social creatures – that’s why many of them really don’t like being left alone when we’re gone. But what about when a dog goes from just being a ......
My Dog Tries to Steal the Other Dog’s Food – How Do I Stop That?
Dogs aren’t really good at sharing. So what do you do if one of your dogs has a bad habit of stealing food from your other dogs? The situation gets ......
My Dog Barks Non-Stop in Public but is Quiet at Home – What Gives?
I take my dog everywhere with me – he’s been to 8 countries and 21 states. We go to bars, coffee shops, running races, beaches, and more. But it took ......
Yes, It’s OK To Leave A Dog In A Car
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve spent the last year of my life (April 2018-March 2019) driving from Denver to Memphis to Wisconsin to Vancouver to Los Angeles ......
How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Barking at Me When He Wants to Play?
Barking. What a headache! So-called demand barking used to be one of my least favorite behaviors to work on with my clients. After getting a lot more experience, though, stopping ......
My Puppy Hates the Crate But is Well-Behaved Otherwise- Should I Push the Issue?
Crate training is a common first step for new puppy owners in the United States. But what if your puppy truly hates the crate and doesn’t seem to get into ......
Stress Busting Herbal Treats
Most people know that stress and anxiety are no fun to deal with. What many people don’t know is that your dog can also suffer from these debilitating conditions. Separation ......
Sweet Potato Doughnuts with Peanut Butter Glaze
Have you ever sat down in the morning with a steaming cup of coffee and a scrumptious doughnut and, just as you are about to take a bite, you see ......
Three-Ingredient Doggy Ice Cream
Whether you are dreaming of warm weather or basking in the blistering heat of summer, sometimes a cool treat is a nice way to change it up for your pup. ......
My Dog Won’t Pee When She’s On A Leash – What Gives?
If your dog isn’t used to being leashed when you’re out and about, you might run into a conundrum later on – she won’t pee when the leash is attached. ......
My Old Dog Is Scared of My New Dog – What Do I Do?
When you bring home a second dog, you’re probably hoping (or even expecting) that he’ll be fast friends with your first dog. But what do you do if your current ......
Why Does My Dog Bark at Me When I Enter the Room?
Dogs bark, for better or for worse. But sometimes their barking is confusing, annoying, or even scary! In today’s Ask a Behavior Consultant, we explore some odd barking that an ......
How Do I Teach My Guard Dog to Accept Guests, But Protect the House From Danger?
Many of us like the idea of a guard dog who helps to keep the house safe. What better deterrent from criminals than a big, scary guard dog with a ......
My Dog Doesn’t Play With Other Dogs. Is That OK?
Dogs are social animals – right? So how come some dogs don’t play with other dogs? It can be confusing and frustrating (and even downright embarrassing) to own a socially ......
How Do You Help a Fearful Dog?
It can be hard to live with a fearful dog. On one hand, we know they’re having a hard time, but on the other hand, some of their behaviors can ......
Can You Train a High Prey Drive Dog to Live With a Kitten?
Dogs are predators – but we often don’t really want them to act out those predatory instincts. Some dogs are more “high prey drive” than others. Is it even possible ......
Paw Lickin’ Good Chicken Treats
Have you ever stood in the dog treat aisle and wondered how a treat full of “real meat” could be shelf-stable? Isn’t real meat perishable? While I do appreciate a ......
Why Won’t My Cat Use His Litterbox?
Cat litterbox problems are gross and frustrating, to say the least. When your cat is peeing and pooping outside of the box, it can feel like you spend all of ......
How Do I Stop My Dog From Herding Me and My Family?
Ah, herding dogs. Even when your dog is a Standard Poodle (like our question-asker this week), you’re at risk of some herding when you live with a dog. In today’s ......
How Do I Gain My Dog’s Trust?
Not all dogs naturally trust people. Helping shy dogs adjust to a new home – or regaining your dog’s trust – isn’t easy and can take time. Luckily, there are ......
No-Bake Antioxidant Kong Pudding
Stuffing Kongs and other puzzle toys is a great way to keep your dog busy. This simple no-bake recipe is a great way to add both fun and nutrition to ......
How Do I Stop My Dog From Barking at My Neighbor?
It’s really no fun to be the neighbor with the barky dog. Yet many people own dogs who bark at the neighbors through the fence – even when the neighbor ......
How Do I Teach My Dog to Share?
Teaching a dog to share isn’t easy. Unlike children, we can’t explain to our dogs that sharing is caring. And in the “real world,” it’s not common for a non-related ......
Stop Your Dog From Digging in the Trash: A 2-Step Solution
Dogs are natural scavengers – and they’re quite good at it. While it’s common for dogs to dig in the trash, that doesn’t mean that you just have to “deal ......
12 Tricks to Teach Your Dog
Most dog owners love spending time with their dogs – that’s kind of the point, right? These tricks are a great way to spend time with your dog. As Barley ......
Doggie Dots: Homemade Low-Calorie Treats (Just 5 Ingredients!)
Whether training a young puppy or working with an older dog, finding a treat that is motivating but small enough that you can dole out plenty can be a challenge. ......
How to Teach a Hand-Shy Dog to Like Petting
When I first adopted my Border Collie Barley, he ducked away from petting. He wasn’t abused or shy – but he was hand-shy. He didn’t like petting and seemed to ......
How to Train an Aggressive, Disabled Senior Dog
It’s not uncommon for aging dogs to get a bit grumpier. Pain and diminished sensory capacity can make the whole world seem more threatening. So how do you stop aggression ......
Help! My Dog Submissively Urinates All Over the House!
Submissive urination is a common behavior problem in dogs. Unfortunately, this behavior problem is pretty gross and quite messy. It’s easy to get frustrated with a dog that submissively urinates, ......
How to Remove Burrs, Stickers, and Dreadlocks from Your Dog
Barley and I spend a lot of time hiking, trail running, and generally having the times of our lives on the trails of North and Central America. Since he’s a ......
Shaping a Behavior: Dog Training Using Successive Approximations
Dog training using successive approximations, commonly called shaping, is my favorite way to teach dogs a new behavior. This training method was pioneered by B.F. Skinner, and it’s one of ......
Get a Free Online Dog Training Journal
I think dog training is a blast – and that means I’m often bad about doing it systematically. Since my goal for 2019 is to be more deliberate about everything ......
What Can You Put in a Kong Besides Peanut Butter? 13 Easy Recipes
My dog and I love Kongs. He gets one almost every single time that I leave the house. He eats his dinner out of his Kong some days. And when ......
Why Does My Potty-Trained Dog Poop in My In-Laws House?
Potty training can be surprisingly tricky business. What do you do when your pup seems to be potty trained in your house, but has accidents everywhere else? In today’s “Ask ......
23 Best Puzzle Toys for (Bored) Energetic Dogs
Energetic dogs can be a lot of work. I get it – I live with a Border Collie and I’ve fostered German Shepherds, Huskies, and American Bulldogs. Even though I ......
6 Strategies to Stop Puppy Nipping – Fast
Nipping is one of the most common concerns that puppy parents have. It can be frustrating and painful. Puppy teeth are very sharp! Unfortunately, nipping almost always gets worse before ......
What Causes Separation Anxiety? Can I Prevent it Before it Starts?
I have treated cases of separation anxiety in all types of dogs―young, old, those who have only had one family, those who have had many. Separation anxiety can manifest in ......
Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive Training
I try my very best to follow the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive training framework when working with my dog, the shelter dogs I worked with, and my foster dogs. I ......
Help! My Cat Bites Me When I Pet Her!
Some cats bite when we try to pet them and show them we love them. This painful and frustrating behavior problem is no joke – almost a third of the ......
Enjoy Better Dog Breath with 3-Ingredient Coconut Truffle Treats
Many dog owners live in fear of their dog getting too close to their face because of a common problem: bad breath. Lots of dogs suffer from bad breath and ......
Best Dog Cameras: Supervise Your Dog While You’re Away
Some dogs sleep while we’re away, others get up to all sorts of mischief during the day. Others panic with separation anxiety. To be honest, many of us love our ......
A Dog Walks Into a Shelter and Growls at the Staff – Why?
Jack was a big, black Shepherd/Husky mix (or at least that was our best guess). He growled when the intake staff at the shelter moved him from the overnight kennels ......
My Dogs Lose Their Minds When I Pick up the Leashes
Dogs love walks – but what do you do when your dog loves walks so much that they make it unpleasant for YOU? Some dogs get so excited about their ......
Why Does My Dog Keep Peeing on the Carpet?
Potty training can be a total drag. It seems like our dogs and puppies learn all the wrong lessons at first! With young puppies, we can chalk this up to ......
How Do I Get My Dog to Listen Without Treats?
One of the first questions my clients ask me when they realize that I train using treats is, “But how do I get my dog to listen without treats?” It’s ......
How to Teach Your Dog to “Go Lie Down”
Go lie down. Kennel up. Go to your bed. Place. These are all the name of my favorite behaviors to teach every dog. Young or old, big or small, this ......
The “Can You Listen When…?” Game Teaches Your Dog to Ignore Distractions
Teaching your dog to listen around distractions is one of the hardest parts of dog training. It’s also one of my favorite parts! Trainers call this process proofing. I created ......
My Puppies Play Really Rough. Is that OK?
Many dogs really love rough-and-tumble play. But how do you know when your dog’s wrestling has gone too far? In today’s Ask a Behavior Consultant, we answer the question, I recently ......
How Do I Get My Dog to Listen at the Park?
Most of our dogs love their off-leash playtime. But what do you do when you can’t get your dog to come back to you at the park? Trying to chase ......
Why Does My Puppy Prefer to Pee in His Crate?!
Puppies pee in their crates a lot – but what do you do when it seems like your puppy prefers to pee inside his crate? In our latest Ask a ......
Will A Furbo Fix My Dog’s Separation Anxiety?
I was a bit skeptical of buying a Furbo for Cyber Monday of 2018. Though the training tool and pet camera was 50% off, I wasn’t quite sure if I ......
Why Does My Puppy Think I’m a Chew Toy?
Most puppies are born with a strong desire to chew. The need to chew on things – anything, anyone – gets worse as they age before tapering off as they ......
Peanut Butter-Boullion Training Treats
If you have a puppy you know just how important training treats are, and just how quickly you go through them! Store bought treats are often expensive and full of ......
How Do I Teach My Dog to Play Nicely With Other Dogs?
Photo credit to Patrice Alsteen. Not all dogs are natural social butterflies. Some dogs are born a bit more aloof with others, while other dogs learn to be socially standoffish ......
5 Reasons Dogs Bark When Left Alone (Is It Separation Anxiety?)
Almost all dogs bark. It’s normal for dogs to vocalize! When is my dog’s barking a problem? Let me tell you a story. I have a friend that lives in ......
My Puppy Bites Kids: What Do I Do?
Puppies can be bundles of joy and holy terrors, often within the same minute. They like to bite, chase, tackle, and play rough. While they’re not as big as adult ......
Dealing with Dog Sibling Rivalry
Just like people, some dogs really struggle with sibling rivalry. In fact, dogs that go home with their siblings often struggle with aggression issues more than dogs who are raised ......
My Dog Chews On Things When He’s Home Alone: How Do I Stop That?
Dogs get up to all sorts of trouble when we leave them alone. Most dogs chew, dig, or destroy at least a few things in their time. But how do ......
How Do I Help My Dogs Accept a New Dog?
Integrating a new dog to a household is almost always a bumpy road. Things only get more difficult if the original dogs aren’t enthused about their new housemate. In the ......
How to Deal with an Unruly German Shepherd Mix
German Shepherds (and most other working breeds) can be quite the handful. It’s not uncommon to have a German Shepherd who bites at clothing, plays rough, or doesn’t listen. Let’s ......
How Do I Stop A Dog From Barking When He’s on the Bed?
Dogs bark at people when they’re on the bed for all sorts of reasons. It can be really hard to know exactly why your dog barks at you when he’s ......
Why Your Dog is Skittish: How Exposure Makes Canine Phobias Worse, Not Better
Sometimes, the more our dogs are exposed to things, the worse their responses get. Why do dogs get more scared of things with more exposure, rather than getting better? This ......
How to Make a Shy Dog Trust You – Building Bonds with Fearful Dogs
The little dog was shaking in her skin, cowering beneath her bed in the shelter. So scared that she’d peed herself, this little dog wanted nothing to do with me. But ......
Why Is My Dog Racist – And How Can I Fix It?
“He’s a bit racist,” the woman explained, clearly embarrassed, as her dog barked and lunged at just one person at the park. The woman was white, the man her dog ......
5 Tips to Have a Successful Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in my family is always barely-controlled chaos. The whole family packs into the home that was passed from my grandparents to my aunt. Most years, there’s probably 20 adults, ......
Are Dog Treats Bribery? Do Treats Make My Dog Beg or Only Listen When I’ve Got Food?
There is a common misconception that if you use treats to train your dog, that you are just using bribery. Or, that your dog will ONLY do what is asked ......
Everything We Did Wrong Traveling Baja Californa With a Dog
We missed a crucial step in the immigration process when we drove into Mexico via San Diego/Tijuana. As you might remember from my blog post about entering Mexico, no one ......
Why Does My Dog Bark and Lunge at Other Dogs?
Just as you’re starting to enjoy walking your dog, she explodes into a frenzy of barking and lunging. She almost pulls you off your feet as she strains towards another ......
Driving from Ensenada to La Paz, Baja California: Food Poisoning and Cliff Roads
We left Ensenada on Friday, expecting a somewhat long afternoon of driving. I curled up in the back seat and went to sleep, per usual. But after dinner, things got ......
The Ultimate Dog Trainer Gifts Guide: Trainer-Approved Gifts for Dog Nuts
Dog trainers do their job because they love dogs, not because they expect gifts, riches, or fame. But if your dog trainer has made a huge difference in your pup’s ......
How to Get Your Dog to be a Rockstar in Public
In our increasingly dog-friendly society, more and more people are bringing their furry best friends everywhere that the law permits it. However, just because your dog is allowed to be ......
The 72 Best Dog Training Books and DVDS: From Puppies to Old Age, Aggression to Tricks
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 ......
Why Trainers Hate Retractable Leashes (But I Own One Anyway)
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 ......
Will an Escape-Proof Crate Fix My Dog’s Separation Anxiety?
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 ......
Cat Puzzle Toys: Kitty Tested, Trainer Approved
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. ......
The Best Treats for Training a Dog Wearing a Muzzle
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 ......
Is My Dog A Red Zone Dog? 28 Questions to Ask Yourself
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 ......
Reward-Based Boundary Training: Get Off-Leash Obedience without an E-Collar
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 ......
Six Easy Ways to Keep Kids Safe Around Dogs
Whether you have a dog that’s aggressive towards children or just want to keep your kids safe around dogs in general, there’s a lot you can do to keep kids ......
The Six Best Dog Muzzles for Tough-to-Fit Dogs
Getting a dog muzzle is often one of the first steps towards safely living with, training, and rehabilitating an aggressive dog (check out our Aggressive Dogs E-book for more on ......
Why SMART x 50 is a Way Better Training Method than Nothing in Life is Free
Nothing in Life is Free has been a centerpiece of dog training since long before I first picked up a leash – but I’ve recently dropped it in favor of ......
My Dog Doesn’t Want to Please Me: How Do I Train Him?
“He’s not a people pleaser,” Will said as he looked at his dog, Buddy. “Not like your boy, Barley. How do I train him when my dog doesn’t want to ......
13 Dog Training Games and Exercises to Make Dog Training Fun
Playing dog training games is one of the best ways to teach your dog useful skills (like impulse control) and bond with your dog. You might remember our popular post ......
Management in Dog Training: Lazy and Mean, or Necessary?
I had an interesting (and heated) conversation with my boyfriend last night about management in dog training. We were discussing our dog Barley’s counter surfing escapades — yep, he’s back ......
How to Train a Velociraptor
It probably isn’t easy to train a velociraptor, but I was excited to see that many of Owen’s interactions with Blue in Jurassic World were almost identical to my interactions ......
The Best Dog Training Tips that Dog Trainers Have Ever Heard
When I was just starting out as a dog trainer, I felt like I was constantly jotting down dog training tips. The trainers at Canis Major Dog Training in Denver ......
What You Do After You Say No to Your Dog is What Matters
Dog trainers love drawing lines in the sand: positive reinforcement, force-free, balanced, old-school. As much as we hate labeling dogs, many dog trainers seem to love to label other dog ......
How should I manage dog-dog resource guarding?
Managing dog-dog resource guarding in the home is always a bit of a challenge. When you’re a foster family for a rescue or shelter, you’re constantly dealing with dogs that ......
Nosework: Exhaust Your Dog & Teach Impulse Control (No Shoes Needed)
Many behavior problems in modern dogs come down to dogs being bored, underexercised, and confined. They spend much of their days indoors. When they’re outside, they’re rarely allowed to sniff, ......
How Knowing Your NOLS Leadership Style Makes You a Better Dog Trainer
When it comes to dog training and leadership style, are you a hot tamale or a cool cucumber? Thinking about what your leadership style is can help you grow as ......
Be More Patient with Your Dog & Deal with Frustrating Dog Problems
As I reached for the door, Barley surged forward, wagging so hard that his tail hit his ears. I paused and glanced at him, and he struggled into a sit. ......
What To Do When Your Dog Doesn’t Like Puppies
We brought home a five-week-old puppy last night. Brindle, stubby-legged, and smoosh-faced, Mia the boxer puppy toddled around our apartment whimpering. A Good Samaritan purchased her in a parking lot ......
It’s Like Talkspace, but for Cat Behavior Problems
You don’t have to just deal with a cat who bites you, uses your furniture as a scratching post, or poops outside the litterbox. You can get help with your ......
How Your Morning Routine Ruins Your Dog’s Day
Your morning routine ruins your dog’s day, every single day – but it doesn’t have to. I had a eureka moment last week while I drove home from training a ......
Why Do I Stick (mostly) to 1 Operant Conditioning Quadrant?
I love operant conditioning and the science of behavior change. I love the jargon, the details, the studies. What researchers find in their studies really impacts what I think about ......
How to Exercise Your Dog When You Feel Like S**t
Being sick sucks – but how do you exercise your dog when you’re sick? Owning a high energy and smart dog usually makes me feel great. But Barley’s boundless energy ......
I’m Not Mad, I’m Disappointed
Let’s be honest here: my dog Barley frustrates me to no end some days. Don’t let my glowing Instagram fool you. Earlier this week, I reached out to a group ......
Why is My Cat Pooping on the Floor?
It’s no fun to have a cat pooping on the floor, especially if your cat is suddenly pooping on the floor. This frustrating problem can often be solved by changing ......
How Do I Get My Puppy To Stop Eating Everything?
Sarah A. writes — I just got a new puppy, and would love your advice! I’d love to teach my puppy to stop eating everything. She seems to want to ......
Help! My Cats Are Fighting – And Now We’ve Got Litterbox Issues
Cat-cat aggression is no joke. The screaming, clawing, hissing, biting, and… the litterbox issues. When cats are stressed, they often slip up in their litterbox habits. So how do you ......
Stop The Bloodshed: Four Steps to Stop Parrot Biting
Why I Love My Bird – Even Though He’s a Velociraptor I love my monk parakeet, Francis – so why do I need to stop parrot biting? Well, my life ......
Why I’m Obsessed with Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol
I love mat training – and specifically Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol. It’s one of the first things I recommend in many online training cases. “Why?” you may ask. How does ......
Three Tips For Dealing With Demanding Dogs
Dealing with demanding dogs can be pretty exhausting. Many dogs bark or paw at their owners to get what they want. How do you reduce or manage this behavior? In ......
What Do I Do When My Dog Is Aggressive Towards Children?
What do you do when your dog is aggressive towards children? Dogs and children can be majorly cute – or majorly scary. It’s challenging to know whether or not to ......
How To Control Dogs With High Prey Drive
Dogs with high prey drive aren’t always fun to take for wilderness walks. But there’s hope – many dogs with high prey drive can learn to control themselves around bunnies, ......
Basic Steps For Reactive Dog Training
I’ve gotten more “Ask A Trainer” questions about reactivity than I can count. Let’s just roll them into on generic post, with specific posts to come if needed. Get extra ......
But What About Dominance In Dogs?
Do you think your dog is “alpha” or “dominant?” It’s ok if you do – this is a very common way of speaking about our pet dogs. It’s easy to ......
What’s Up With Light Chasing In Dogs?
Light chasing in dogs is a common behavior. In the latest “Ask A Behavior Consultant,” Kim M. asks: Can you tell me more about my GSD’s sensitivity and obsession with ......
How To Exercise Your Dog Effectively With a Crazy-Busy Schedule
It’s totally possible to exercise your dog effectively when you have a busy schedule. I work four ten-hour days per week I also have private clients on my “weekends” and enjoy ......
To The Human Who Gave Up My Dog: Thank You.
To The Human Who Gave Up My Dog, Thank you. You’ve given me a new best friend. I’m really, truly glad that you decided to give your dog up to ......
Make Your Dog Want To Work With You in 4 Quick Steps
Training is much easier when your dog is excited to work for you. Some dogs don’t naturally love training, and that’s ok. Some are fearful, overaroused, or just seem to ......
Why We Punish Our Dogs
I’m writing this article to talk about something I don’t hear people talking about enough. It’s intensely personal for me, but I think it needs to be said. It’s about ......
Reward-Based Training Versus Punishment: Which is Better?
Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness, and interaction with behavior and welfare EF Hiby, NJ Rooney, and JWS Bradshaw Animal Welfare 2004, 13: 63-69 Abstract The authors set out to ......
