A heart-tugging image of a brown Labrador retriever named Hawkeye lying beside the American flag-draped casket of his human companion, Navy SEAL Jon Tumilson, went viral on the internet within hours. Pet lovers were moved by the symbol of loyalty shown by the dog who would not leave his best friend’s side. For many Americans, […]
Prevent your dog from stealing food (a.k.a. counter surfing) by keeping it out of reach and teach him to “leave it”. Begin teaching your dog what you want him to do: Put a treat on the counter and work at teaching a un-cued “leave it” which is proofed for the duration, different items and whether […]
Help keep your dog safe and yourself sane while you teach him how to behave by picking up, putting away, blocking and “bittering”. I’ve outlines some typical areas to puppy-proof below. (Hint: Puppy-proofing is very similar to child-proofing) Close the bathroom door and prevent access to rooms which are out of your sight. Secure trash […]
Are you asking yourself “why does my dog eat sticks, rocks, pine cones, acorns or other stuff while out in the yard or on a walk”? Sticks and rocks are especially troublesome since they can injure your dog’s mouth and cause intestinal blockages that could require surgery. Sometimes puppies eat inappropriate things and grow out […]
Rattlesnakes live in so many areas and can be a life-threatening danger to dogs of all sizes. But with just a few preventive steps, you can reduce the chances your dog will get bitten and die from a rattlesnake bite! Rattlesnakes are very common the parks and trails that many dog-lovers use for hikes and […]
There is nothing more frustrating than trying to chase a dog that plays “keep away” when you are trying to get it to come. Here are a few tips on improving your dog’s response to the come command (commonly called a “recall”). Real world vs. show ring In the show ring, the dogs sit quietly, […]
Roughhousing is part of the fun of being a dog. Playing is a way for dogs to explore their world and to socialize with other animals and people. It is completely normal, safe, and healthy in most cases, but it can become dangerous if it goes too far. Dogs may play-bite, lunge, swipe, and even […]
Most people can’t read body language Humans primarily convey ideas and feelings through words, dogs don’t. Much of what we need to know about a dog’s current frame of mind is conveyed through their body language and the various signals they give off at any given moment. Yet most of us are unable to decipher […]
California law requires most public places to admit service dogs and psychiatric service dogs but not emotional support animals. California law allows persons with disabilities to bring trained service dogs and psychiatric service dogs, but not emotional support animals, to all public places. Several different California laws set out the rights of people with disabilities […]
Among the handful of standard obedience commands a dog should know, the “place” command is one of the most helpful. What is the “place” command? It could be considered a step above the “stay” command because you’re actually training your dog to “stay” on a specific “thing.” It’s a vital command if you plan to […]