Many of my clients look at me in astonishment when I say it is OK to feed your dog human food from your plate! We have always been told that this act creates begging behavior and causes intestinal problems. Under certain circumstances, this is indeed true. However, if done correctly, using foods that are safe for your dog (click on the link to see a list of foods that are unsafe ) and in moderation, it is actually a wonderfully, positive thing! There is a new trend in teaching and relating to dogs called bond-based learning which I incorporate into my dog training programs. The thought process behind this type of teaching is that by having a strong bond with your dog, it will ensure your dog makes positive choices when it comes to good behavior. A technique used in this type of training is food sharing. Food sharing provides an opportunity for social learning with you and your dog. It has been shown that food sharing helps reinforce the bond you have with your dog and allows them to feel safe and secure around you. Sharing food with your dog does not always equate to begging. Begging behavior can happen even when you don’t feed from your plate. Since their sense of smell is more heightened than ours, smelling you cooking and serving dinner can be overwhelming as they salivate over all the deliciousness. Many dogs can’t contain themselves from their desire to join in and beg which becomes a big distraction during meals. I have found that the opposite is true when you are sharing your meal with your dog. Now, I am not saying you should feed your dog when they beg. What I am saying, is that you can feed your dog when they are laying calmly next to you and not begging which in turn teaches your dog not to beg! This is where marker training comes in. Give your dog the “Down Stay” cue and after just a couple of seconds, mark the behavior with your marker word (i.e., good) and treat off your plate. Begin to spread out the length of time that you are marking and treating. If your dog does beg, ignore them until they settle back down for a minute or two and then mark and treat. Your dog will soon learn that being patient and quiet during meal time leads to tasty things! This opens up a whole new world of possibility for you and your dog! Imagine a holiday dinner that includes your favorite, furry family member! And next Spring and Summer, think about all the outdoor dining experiences you can have! Food sharing is a great for socialization and a wonderful bonding experience! If you are interested in learning more about my positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods, reach out for a free phone consultation. You can learn more at PetImpact.com .

Bringing a new dog into your home where there is already an existing dog doesn’t always run smoothly. The fact of the matter is every dog has their own distinct personality that may not jive with each and every dog. There may be a difference in energy levels, play styles or socialization preferences. If it isn’t a good match, unwanted behaviors may occur including marking, guarding and aggression. Typically, the dog who is exhibiting these behaviors gets the blame. But look closely, in reality, there are two sides to every story.

Just like us, dogs thrive on having a set schedule for their day including food, naps, play time, walks and training. The Covid-19 quarantine has many of us working from home. So, your dog’s schedule may have gotten out of wack or you may have set an entirely new schedule.

Your love for your dog is not just the emotional feeling you have for them, it is the actions you take as it relates to the care you give them and specifically your approach to teaching them. Here are 5 ways to express your love for your dog when training (in no particular order).

We are all showing signs of stress during this quarantine whether that be binge eating, over-sleeping or just plain crabbiness. So, it is not surprising that our dogs are feeling the pressure too. Dogs are extremely sensitive to our emotions which may cause them to act out as well. They don’t understand why their routine has changed, why they can’t go to the dog park, why their parents are around all the time (yes some dogs actually want space!), why people don’t greet and pet them anymore on their walks and most importantly why their parents are so stressed out.

Everyone’s life has been disrupted with the recent pandemic of Covid-19 including our dogs! We have found ourselves transitioning into a new “Normal” with different social norms including how this impacts pet ownership. Here are some “New Rules” as we navigate through proper dog etiquette during the pandemic.

I love working with young people who adopt their first dog. Dog parenting, while not as challenging as child rearing, definitely helps prepare you for what it is like caring and being responsible for another living being. One of my long-time students, Maui was just introduced to his new sister, and she isn’t one of the canine variety! Maui’s parents have brought a new baby into the fold. What is great about Lauren and Neal, is that they wanted to be completely prepared for the transition to ensure Maui felt comfortable and the baby was safe. So, they asked me to give them some pointers which I am here to share with you!

As we move into the Spring and Summer months, it is time to relieve ourselves and our dogs from our cabin fever by getting outside to enjoy the nice weather. Some of my favorite times with Simone and Gabe have been time spent at the dog park. It has allowed my dogs to socialize, exercise and re-energize. While most of the parks are closed during the pandemic, this is a good opportunity to investigate membership for ones in your area so that when the quarantine is lifted, you are ready to get out and enjoy some play time with your pooch!

We can all agree that that the Covid-19 pandemic has been a frightening and stressful situation for all of us. We can all also agree that it is a relief that this terrible virus can’t be spread to our beloved canine companions. What may sound strange to some is that this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be practicing social distancing from our dogs. That’s right! I said we need to be practicing SOME social distancing from our dog. Here is why!

Yes. It is a proven fact that people who have dogs are happier and healthier. Here’s why:

It was brought to my attention by that there has been some articles posted on the internet referencing new studies that determined smaller breeds are less intelligent than larger breed dogs. I found this very surprising! My personal experience is that smaller dogs are extremely bright and that intelligence is not based on size.

I get this complaint time after time after time. Dogs barking excessively at noises outside the home, when they see a dog or person outside the window, when they see another dog on TV, when guests come to the door and not to mention the mail carrier! No matter how much you correct them or tell them to “Leave It”, the disruptive barking continues.

We all have heard the saying “Man’s Best Friend” or as I like to say “Woman’s Best Friend”, but do dogs really have friends or even best friends?

Recently, I had two clients ask me these questions. What are your thoughts on pet insurance? Is it worth it? What specific companies do you think are the best?