Recently, I had three phone calls within a 10-day period from three different families who were looking for immediate help because their dog bit their infant. All of these people were good parents both to their two-legged and four-legged children. They were devastated and frightened and needed help now. None of these folks were bad […]
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Compassion Fatigue in Dog Trainers 1
Five years ago today I euthanized my dog Pualani. Her story is heartbreaking and complicated and I still think of her, and what I could have done differently, everyday. It has also been a rough week for a couple of my Difficult Dog students and so, a rough week for me as well. Sometimes our […]
Read MoreAll About Cats! 0
Those of you who know me well know that my first love was not actually dogs but cats, and even though I now make my living working with dogs, that’s right, your dog trainer lady is also a bonafide “cat person.” I am currently teaching a six week enrichment class about pets for 2nd – […]
Read MoreMy Dog is Not a Robot 0
When I first adopted my dog Rufus he was about a year old and came into the shelter with no history. Like most dogs I see in beginner obedience classes, the one thing he seemed to “know” or at least figure out very quickly, was that when he sat, I gave him a treat. This […]
Read MoreSTOP BARKING!!! 0
My clients often come to me and ask how to get their dog to stop barking. Dogs bark for a variety of different reasons, the majority of cases I see fall into the following four categories. The solution to the barking depends on the cause, so in order to stop the barking it is important […]
Read MorePlease don’t be one of “those people.” 1
I read this fantastic article last week so, while we are on the subject of rants from a dog professional, I have something I need to get off my chest. I was walking with my dog Rufus this morning through our neighborhood farmer’s market. Lot’s of dogs there, most doing fabulously. Except for these two […]
Read MoreDon’t Fear the Clicker! 0
I see a lot of clients who are very resistant to using a clicker. I get it. It’s something new, now you have another thing to learn, your hands are full, there is already a ton of other new info to figure out… I understand the apprehension, I have been there. But now I am […]
Read MoreHow Will I Know When To Let Go? 0
Clients and friends often ask me “how will I know when to let my dog go?” Physical aspects we look for to help us make that decision include loss of mobility and cessation of appetite but my answer almost always includes “you will know.” I watched this beautiful short film last night and it hit […]
Read MoreCrate Training 0
Crates are fantastic tools when used correctly with dogs. A crate aids in housetraining a dog very quickly but more importantly, I believe, a crate helps you set up a new dog (of any age) to do the right thing. In a crate, your dog is confined to a space where he is physically restrained […]
Read MoreTips For Boarding Your Dog 4
The holidays are coming and as much as we would like to take our dogs everywhere we go, sometimes we must leave them home. There are a few things I would suggest you take into consideration when boarding your precious pal… For starters, in what type of boarding environment would YOUR dog be most comfortable? […]
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