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 […]
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How 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? […]
Read MoreDiscipline, Football and Dogs 0
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 […]
Read MoreDon’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 […]
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