This morning was a good morning but yesterday was pretty bad, for me the dog trainer and the human. I spend a good amount of my working time trying to convince people that they do not need to use punishment or physical force to train their dog. It often feels like an uphill battle. Sometimes […]
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Don’t Walk Your Dog 1
Wait? What? Isn’t this that pesky trainer-lady who keeps telling us to walk our dog more? Well, you heard me, I don’t want you to walk your dog anymore, I want you to walk with your dog. Over the past few years I have changed some things about how I train and live with my […]
Read MoreDog Day Care – It’s REALLY not for everyone 2
I have owned and operated a dog day care in Seattle for the past 14 years. We were one of the very first. This is not the first time I have written on the subject but it has been a while so I thought I’d refresh. This week was a rough one at Dog’s Day Out, […]
Read MoreHow to Choose the Right Dog 0
When you adopt a dog it is a big deal. You are taking on a huge responsibility and commitment. When I worked at a veterinary hospital we had a client with a 20-year-old dog! Unusual yes, but not impossible. Years ago I worked at an animal shelter so adopting a shelter dog is near and […]
Read MoreRainy Day Enrichment 0
Dog Enrichment for a Rainy Day! The weather in Seattle can SUCK. Yes, our summers are incredibly perfect (most years at least) but fall is here and the weather has turned. On my walk with Rufus yesterday it started out windy (need scarf) then rainy (umbrella up, then blown out) then sunshine (sunglasses on). I […]
Read MoreThe Power of Play – Go Play With Your Dog! 2
When I am working with dogs I use a lot of food rewards. I use food because food works. Food is an extremely powerful motivator because it is a primary reinforcer. We (our dogs and ourselves) are all “food motivated.” If we did not eat, we would die. How’s that for motivation? When folks tell […]
Read MoreMy Dog Jumps Up On People! 0
My name is Danette, I am a dog trainer and I have a confession to make – my dog jumps up on people. A lot. And he is not small. Or weak. He is a 50-pound Pit Bull/Border Collie mix named Rufus who is incredibly friendly. So friendly in fact, that he MUST greet you […]
Read MoreSpecial K9 Sports & Fun Seminar! 0
Do you want to have more fun with your dog but don’t know what sport is for you? Maybe you think your dog could excel in ALL sports but just don’t know how to get started? This seminar is for you! We’ll spend 3 hours introducing you to 3 popular dog sports… AGILITY, K9 NOSEWORK […]
Read MoreWhy I Don’t Want Your Dog on a Prong/Pinch Collar 2
OK – I need to vent. Summer has begun and I find myself (as with the rest of Seattle’s population) thankfully outside. In these neck o’ the woods we have to cram all of the outdoor dog fundraisers in a short period of time because the rest of the year is crap. So, it’s June […]
Read MoreK9 Nose Work – Guest blog by Erica Wells, CNWI 1
Four years ago a scrappy little spaniel puppy showed up on the Seattle Animal Shelter foster list. I wasn’t a foster parent, but I was a case manager for foster parents so I got the email. I don’t know what it was about this little pup that made me suddenly want to pick her up […]
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