You might think I’m going to be talking about dominance or toy possession, but what’s really on my mind today is the perception of who owns the dogs toys. If that sounds a bit confusing, let me explain. Here’s a common routine that tends to happen on nights when I’m particularly tired. Haley arrives at my side with a toy. … Read More
How to Take Your Dog’s Temperature
Do you believe in the adage that healthy dogs have cold, wet noses and sick dogs have warm, dry noses? Even though there’s some truth to that theory, the best way to determine if your pup is running a fever is to take your dog’s temperature. But don’t let Haley fool you with the image above, you’ll actually be working … Read More
Leading Your Dog by the Nose
This training tip is so simple it almost seems silly to write about it, but some dog owners might not realize how effective this positive training technique can be when training a new behavior. Leading your dog by the nose means you’re using your pup’s primary sense, his sense of smell, to motivate him to learn more quickly. What’s the … Read More
Dealing with CCL Knee Injuries in Dogs
Unfortunately, what I’ve been worrying about for years has happened. Haley recently ruptured her CCL. If you don’t know what the CCL is, it’s the cranial cruciate ligament, equivalent to the ACL in our human knees. Her knee problems started about three years ago when she stretched the ligament. Even though it tightened up after a few weeks of limited … Read More
Why Do Female Dogs Mark Their Territory?
When I think about dogs marking their territory, the first image that comes to mind is a male dog hiking his leg and relieving himself on every bush, pole or fire hydrant he comes across. I never associated urine marking with female dogs until Haley started doing it a few years ago. It’s common for intact males or unspayed females … Read More
Who Would Your Dog Vote for in 2016?
It’s President’s Day and what better day to reflect on the past as well as where we’re headed as a nation, especially during the height of this campaign season. The candidate who wins the election this November certainly has some big shoes to fill. While analyzing and comparing the candidates, sometimes it’s good to take a break from the craziness … Read More
Is Your Dog Always Pulling on the Leash?
If you struggle with your dog pulling on the leash every time you take a walk, you’re not alone. It’s probably the most common problem dog owners complain about, especially for those people with larger dogs. I have to admit, I’ve been postponing writing this article for quite a while because it’s an issue that I’ve struggled with myself. But … Read More
What is Opposition Reflex and Why Should I Care?
Have you ever heard of opposition reflex? Maybe you’ve heard of the term but you don’t really understand how it affects dog training in a practical sense. I’ll give you a hint, you might experience it every time you take your dog for a walk. Opposition reflex was discovered by Ivan Pavlov, the physiologist who also discovered classical conditioning through … Read More
Do You Hate Walking Your Dog in the Winter?
It’s okay, I’ll be the first one to answer that question. Yes! Sometimes I do hate going for walks with Haley when it’s bitterly cold and miserable outside. When the weather’s really nasty, we find other ways to exercise like some of the ideas I wrote about in my article, 12 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog in the Winter. … Read More
The Psychology of Giving Your Dog a Pill
Do you have trouble giving your dog a pill? Unless it’s one of the chewable, beef-flavored pills, a lot of dogs will separate the tasty food from the pill with Houdini-like skill, swallow the food and eject the pill onto the floor. And, good luck trying to fool your dog a second time, right? If you’re like me, you’ve probably … Read More
