Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
For most people, we brush our teeth twice a day for good dental health. However, we don’t consider our dogs teeth, yet we often complain about them having “dog breath”. If we want our dogs to have “fresh breath”, we need to take care of their teeth like we take care of our [...]
Dog Stress Levels
When a dog has gone over threshold, attempting to train them at that moment will be useless. A dog that is over threshold is in “survival mode.” Her sympathetic nervous system is activated, which controls her body’s response to the perceived threat. Adrenaline increases, heart rate increases, muscles contract and pupils dilate as [...]
When Emotions Affect Behavior
When Emotions Affect a Dog's Behavior Some behaviors are the result of anxiety, fear, or excitement. As I have mentioned before, if a learner is too stressed, learning cannot occur. If the anxiety or fear is mild, you can help your dog with some homeopathic therapies. Some of these therapies can also help [...]
Potty Pads and Puppy Training
Be Clear About Your Puppy Potty Training Goal If your goal is for your puppy to potty outside, it is important to teach this from the very start. While they may be convenient, training pads can be a crutch and you may have to go back to the basics of training. Staying Inside [...]
Halloween For Dogs
Halloween Can Be Dangerous for Dogs Halloween can be a fun day for people, but it can be scary and dangerous for dogs. The decorations, costumes and candy can all lead to problems if we are not aware. Although it may be tempting to include your dog in the festivities, it is important [...]
How Can I Teach My Dog To Play Correctly?
There are many reasons your puppy may not be playing correctly. Let's take a closer look! Signs your puppy isn’t playing correctly Playing too rough: I am often asked, “When is play too rough?” This can be tricky because some dogs like to wrestle and others like to chase. One tip that works [...]