This is our new puppy McGee. Perhaps you have heard that puppies are adorable to ensure their survival? As in, if they weren’t so darn cute, people would not put up with that exasperating puppy stuff. In our case, it is a terrible case of nipping and biting and we are his favorite target. McGee [...]

Continue Reading     |     August 24, 2012

One question repeatedly comes up in our training classes: “Why don’t we use a verbal command when we are first teaching a new behavior to our dogs?” The answer is based on learning theory and psychology and is called “overshadowing.” In simple terms though, we need to present a clear picture of what we are [...]

Continue Reading     |     July 23, 2012

I enjoy being awake early in the morning, but I do not like the actual getting up part. For years, that has kept me from carrying out those plans to get up and exercise or walk my dog before work. It is so easy to just roll over and swear to start tomorrow. I have [...]

Continue Reading     |     June 22, 2012

When considering buying medications for your dog from an internet pharmacy, the US Food and Drug Administration cautions consumers to “Be A.W.A.R.E.” Ads for online prescription pet medicines promise convenience and lower prices and may even say that prescriptions are not required. But FDA experts say it can be risky to buy drugs online from [...]

Continue Reading     |     May 21, 2012

Spring moving season will soon be here. Moving to a new home can be very stressful for dogs since it completely changes their world and dogs feel secure with routines. Fortunately, dogs who are cared for are generally happy as long as they are with their family. Here are some tips for before, during and [...]

Continue Reading     |     April 16, 2012

My dogs love chicken jerky treats. If we have them in the house, both of my dogs will turn down any other treat and hold out for chicken jerky. This headline on MSN.com caught my attention the other day “3 Big Brands May be Tied to Chicken Jerky Illness in Dogs, FDA Records Show.” The [...]

Continue Reading     |     March 19, 2012

There are more than 4 million dog bites in the United States each year. If your dog bites a person or another domestic animal, local ordinances require you to take certain steps, often within 24 hours of the incident. A case of severe injury will require emergency care and the hospital must call the police. [...]

Continue Reading     |     February 15, 2012

In my last blog post, I wrote “when breeding together dogs who….”. The word processing spell and grammar check feature suggested that I revise it so say “dogs that.” I didn’t think about it beyond my immediate reaction to leave it the way it was. Several days later in reading Suzanne Clothier’s Bones Would Rain [...]

Continue Reading     |     January 27, 2012

We covered a lot of fascinating topics at AnimalSense Academy. Here’s one that you have probably noticed in your own dogs without being aware of the technical term or its role in canine evolution and the development of breeds. Neotony refers to retaining immature or juvenile characteristics in adulthood and includes both physical and behavioral [...]

Continue Reading     |     January 11, 2012

We recently posted about our Nose Work class. Not long ago I saw my dog do a really cool thing that shows the power of his nose. Oz, my 7-year old Rottweiler was with me and my husband outside of a house we were staying in for the weekend. Oz was busy sniffing our car [...]

Continue Reading     |     December 20, 2011