The Many Faces of Reinforcement

The Many Faces of Reinforcement

Many puppy owners feel that they must have a treat in hand to reinforce their puppy’s wanted behaviors, which is one reason why some people resist the idea of positive reinforcement training altogether: ‘I can’t always have treats on me!’ But there...
The Adult Dog Adoption Option

The Adult Dog Adoption Option

“So…I’m getting a new dog.” “Oooh, a puppy! What kind?” “Well, not a puppy, actually…” Puppies are warm bundles of adorable. They have puppy breath and the softest fur. Who doesn’t love a puppy? Puppies are the automatic choice for most people who are interested in...
Say What?

Say What?

Do you talk to your puppy? Of course you do! What’s cuter than a quizzical little face on an adorably cocked head as a puppy tries to puzzle out what you’re saying to him? It’s in the nature of most humans to chatter to their companions, whether those are other humans...
Ten Puppy Facts to Know

Ten Puppy Facts to Know

There’s a lot more to puppies than soft fur and sweet breath! 1. Puppyhood ends at approximately four months of age. After that, your puppy is an adolescent dog. He still has a lot of growing to do but his babyhood is over. “Puppies” between the ages of 4-5 months...
Top Ten Toys for Puppies

Top Ten Toys for Puppies

Every puppy needs toys! And there are thousands available, in pet supply shops and online. How do you choose the toys that are best for your pup? Well-made and carefully chosen toys can keep puppies happy and occupied when they need to spend time on their own. Other...
Focus on … Focus

Focus on … Focus

Puppy classes often include exercises designed to entice your puppy to focus on you. After all, what can you teach your puppy if you can’t even get his attention? Some puppies seem to naturally attend closely to their owners, much to the envy of other people in class,...
Park That Puppy

Park That Puppy

How do you help your puppy settle quietly in your vet’s waiting room, during quiet times at puppy class, on walks while you stop to talk to a neighbor? How do you keep your puppy from jumping up on people you would like to have greet him? Learn to park your puppy. Not...
Our Ever-Changing Relationships With Our Dogs

Our Ever-Changing Relationships With Our Dogs

Puppies are so sweet, so vulnerable, completely dependent on us for everything. We are like their parents, keeping them safe, providing what they need, watching over them and doing our best to help them become the very best dogs they can be. We laugh at their cute...
Wonderful Wait

Wonderful Wait

My puppies begin to learn the meaning of the word ‘wait’ from the very first day they join my household. I use ‘wait’ many times a day, every day, with all of my dogs. ‘Wait’ means ‘pause and wait for further instructions.’ I ask my dogs to wait before running out the...