Here are the top 5 things you have official permission to do with your dog(s) without fear of catastrophic repercussions, or even being “wrong.” Thing One: Use treats to train! Use a LOT! Life is short after all, and rewards go a long, long way in training dogs and making it fun! When working with.
Liver Cakes to the RESCUE! Greetings dog lovers, you are my people, my tribe, my pack! By chance, are you vigilant about the ingredients in your dog’s food and treats? Does the sound of a healthy, low-cost, easy to make dog treat perk up your ears? Do you like to cook and/or just make an.
By Bev Dalton Until recently, the last place an animal lover like me looked forward to visiting was an animal shelter. The fear of overwhelming sadness or becoming emotionally drained by the sheer number of animals who need homes was enough to keep me away. Well that was then and this is now. “Welcome to.
Is your dog home alone for long hours? Does he get bored and destructive? Why not fixate your dog on something you would like him to do? It’s fun and easy too! Dogs have a real need for mental stimulation just like we do. Humans have friends, family, movies, cell phones, books and more to.
We’ve all been there and if you’re anything like me, when you see a dog obviously lost or out of place, you get involved and try to help. The “decision” to get involved is more of a reflex than a conscious choice for dog-lovers like us, so if you’re going to do it, the following.
Looking for something new and different to do with your dog? Try the relatively new sport of K9 Nose Work—your dog will thank you for it. A logical progression for many dogs after taking basic or intermediate obedience classes is to move on to Agility, Fly Ball or Freestyle, but not every dog is cut.
Can you ever really learn too much? How much “subject matter expert” status is too much? While it may be impossible to know everything about your hobbies or interests, there’s certainly no harm in trying. When passion, drive and enthusiasm intersect with a person’s chosen career path, quenching the thirst for knowledge is nearly impossible..
When it comes to communication, successful communicators know their audience and tailor their message and communication style accordingly. This is particularly important when it comes to dog training, because it involves two totally different species trying to communicate with each other, typically about a brand new concept. Much easier said than done, right? Yikes! Best.
Do you ever fantasize about having a well-mannered dog doing a perfect down-stay when guests arrive and ring the door bell? Jumping up to greet visitors is a natural and easily reinforced behavior for dogs, most of whom get really good at it! Typically when dogs jump up on people, people reflexively look at them,.
As my husband has told me countless times, “Adventure isn’t always fun while it’s happening.” He is usually referring to getting caught in the rain (or snow) on a cross country motorcycle trip or something else equally exciting, and contrasting that with the glory of “telling the tale” once you’re back safe and dry. As.
A quickie trip to the grocery store turned into a teachable moment recently as I watched from a distance while a teenage girl tied her innocent little brown dog to a post outside the market. While walking from the parking lot to the front door I saw the girl disappear quickly into the store. The.
Every household has them: Chores, chores and more chores, the things that need to get done to keep the place going. The lead humans in the household typically assume roles aligned with their various areas of expertise and delegate from there. There’s the household “CFO,” or Chief Financial Officer, who tends to the budget, cash.
Whether you’ve had your current dog for years or have just acquired a new one, it’s always important to make sure your contact information is on your dog at all times. My dog-loving niece in Austin tells me she routinely celebrates “Naked Friday Nights” at her house (dogs only!) when she removes her dogs’ collars.
Those of us who can’t get enough of the love of dogs, know that there’s nothing quite like that perfect rhythm and harmony you experience with your elderly “seasoned” dogs after living together for years, learning about each other and facing life’s varied challenges together. “Seasoned” family dogs who “get it,” “get you” and can.
Soooo…the other day I came home from a busy morning and took the dogs outside to go potty like we always do. We have quite a consistent routine built around the humans leaving and returning, which helps the dogs understand what’s expected of them and where we are in their daily “script.” The dogs ran.
How much information is TOO MUCH information (TMI) when it comes to knowing what your dogs are doing while you’re away? Apparently there is no limit for me, as I can’t seem to get enough “intel” on this topic — I may even have an unhealthy addiction to my “Doggie Cam.” About a year ago.
Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that matter. I’ve long been a fan of the good ‘ol carabiner, or spring clip, for many applications here and there, and I’m not even a mountain climber nor do I know how to rappel off the couch, let alone while climbing Everest (note to self: bucket list.
It’s time to accept the fact that when I walk our three retired racing greyhounds in my quiet little neighborhood, I am a complete and total spectacle! One greyhound is exotic enough, two’s company and three’s a crowd! Passersby might wonder, “Did the circus come to town or what?!” Enhancing the 12-legged spectacle is that.
Lately I’ve received a few calls from people who suspected that their darling dog(s) might be using the inside of the house incorrectly…like for potty purposes, and they wanted to get the situation under control STAT! In the case of “number two,” they had no trouble discerning what had transpired via the evidence. In the.
A Lifelong Dog Trainer’s Evolution Continues “Let’s Go!” That’s dog-speak for “Let’s Do This,” and also one of my favorite phrases used in modern dog training, typically for loose leash walking. It’s an appropriate opening for the first Dog Genie blog post, too. Welcome friends, “Let’s go!” I love dogs, I love dogs, I LOVE.
