OUR BLOG
10 years ago, dissatisfied with the results I was getting, I began to re-examine how I communicate with dogs. I relearned dog behavior from the dog’s perspective and began modeling my actions on behaviors I saw dogs using to communicate with other dogs. Today, I operate at the intersection of human & canine behavior. I seek to give dogs agency, not commands. I nurture human-dog relationships.
A Nest Bed Can Change a Puppy or Dog’s Life
Dogs are hardwired to seek “dens” for sleep. A den in this context is a small space they can curl
Dogs Dig Dens
This is Bret. He won the dog lottery. When Bret was adopted, he was in a fragile emotional state. His
Killing Dogs with Kindness
I met Johnnie at age 8, shortly after he’d been re-homed. His new family called me because he’d been “a
Find Your Reactive Dog’s Safe Zone
The first step in desensitizing a reactive dog to the presence of a trigger is determining how far that dog
House Training Pro-Tips for Pet Parents
There are many myths and urban legends surrounding house training on the Internet. Many involve potentially damaging ideas like correcting
How to Teach Your Dog to Self-Calm
Dogs don’t come pre-programmed for calm. It’s a learned behavior, especially in stimulating environments. For dogs to learn to self-control,
One and Done!
Dogs are primarily physical communicators (body language). Humans are primarily verbal. When our dogs fail to respond as desired to
Trade, Don’t Take
NOVEMBER 2, 2023 Do you regularly play with knives? Stick your hand in a running blender or mixer? I don’t,
Changing Dog Opinions
Reactive dogs don’t stop being reactive because they’re punished. Yanking a leash, or yelling “no” at a dog can interrupt
Exercise Alternatives to Dog Parks and Daycare
The stories of an antibiotic-resistant respiratory disease that’s been fatal in some cases has many dog guardians rethinking their normal
Flirt Pole Fun!
Below are my top tips for flirt pole success for draining energy, fulfilling instincts (enrichment) and reinforcing behaviors, below, followed
Zen on a Leash
When I walk dogs, I get into a zone where it can be hard to carry on a conversation in
The Leash is a Conversation, Not a Handle
If you think of the leash as a conversation between you & your dog, it’s easy to understand why pulling
Tools for Addressing Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a constellation of behaviors that result from underlying anxiety and insecurity. Resolving this complex issue requires a
Learn, Practice, Proof!
For our dog to truly develop a new habit, we need to practice the behavior consistently and frequently over a
Introducing Puppies to New Beds, Toys and More
How we introduce something new to a puppy can make a big difference in how the puppy perceives the new
5 New Puppy Survival Tips for Guardians
As a puppy specialist, I’ve worked with a lot of puppies and owners in the last 25 years. Almost everyone
