5 Fun Games to Teach Your Dog a Reliable Recall

Imagine you’re out walking your dog and suddenly a cat on the other side of a busy road catches their attention. Your dog begins to leap and bark, and in their excitement, they slip their collar and take off toward the street. How does this story end? For some, a quick “come!” is enough to …

Bite Inhibition Training: How to Train Your Dog Not to Bite

Everyone loves puppies. They’re cute, cuddly, and fun to wrestle with. That is, until those tiny puppy teeth come out. As much as most people don’t want to deal with a bitey puppy, the reality is that all puppies use their jaws during play. Like house training, bite training just one of those things you …

How to Teach Your Dog to Shake With Each Paw

If you are just starting out with trick training and want to teach your dog something quick and easy that will help improve your training technique at the same time, shake is a great option. Not only can shake be taught in a few simple steps, but most dogs pick up on this behavior very …

How to Train Your Dog to Bark (and Stop Barking) on Command

Have you ever wished your dog had a mute button? Or that there was some simple way to silence them, even in the middle of an obnoxious barking spree? Never was this more true for me than after my daughter was born. It turns out barking dogs and sleeping babies don’t mix. And if you …

How to Train Your Dog to Wave Hello and Goodbye

Are you looking to bulk up your dog’s trick repertoire? Training your dog to wave “goodbye” with one paw and “hello” with the other is a simple way to add two new tricks to their catalog for the price of one. Of course, anytime you teach your dog two similar tricks, you must spend some …

How to Teach Your Dog to Sit Pretty in 5 Easy Steps

It’s an endearing trick that is both fun for you to train and for your dog to learn. And, it’s so easy, even the greenest of trainers can do it! Of course, I’m talking about “sit pretty,” or what’s sometimes called “beg.” During this adorable trick, your dog sits back on their hind end and …

10 Essential Things to Do With Your New Puppy in the First 10 Days

Bringing home a new puppy is one of the most exciting moments in the lives of dog lovers everywhere. Here they are, your new loyal companion, your buddy who will be by your side like no human friend ever could. It’s a beautiful moment. And then you realize what you actually have, is a furry …

How to Teach Your Dog to Make Eye Contact

Have you ever experienced this: You’re out and about with your dog and you ask them to do something simple, like sit or stay and suddenly it’s as if they have no idea what you’re talking about. You actually wonder to yourself if your dog has gone deaf. After repeating the command a few dozen …

How to Perform an Elimination Diet for Dogs with Food Allergies

Itchy, flaky skin. Gas and runny stools. Ear infections and hot spots. While these symptoms may seem unrelated, they can all be caused by the same thing: a food allergy. If your dog has ever suffered from that constant itch or the red, irritated skin that comes with it, you probably already know that an …

How to Train a Bomb Proof Stay In 5 Steps

It’s one of the most fundamental commands in dog training. But also one of the most poorly executed behaviors. Sure, with the right direction, you can teach your dog to stay in the training center or in your living room. But what good is a stay if your dog can’t perform it where you need …

Cues, Markers, Release Words: Essential Tools for Training Success

When you think of positive reinforcement training, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, you probably said treats. Lots of yummy, high-value treats. While it’s true that rewards (whether they are treats, toys, or praise) are a huge piece of training, they aren’t the only “tools” you’ll need. Your dog looks to you …

How to Train Your Dog to Heel Without a Leash

Back when I taught obedience classes, the heel command was one of my favorite behaviors to teach. If there are communication problems between dog and owner, training this command will make them obvious. Teaching your dog to heel without a leash is key to creating a reliable behavior that can be used in very distracting …

Dog Anaphylaxis: What It Looks Like and What to Do If It Happens to Your Dog

If you’ve ever experienced a situation involving anaphylaxis, you know how terrifying it can be. Whether the victim is a dog or a human, the situation can turn deadly in the blink of an eye. Anaphylaxis can strike anywhere from a field full of buzzing bees to dinner time in the house. Knowing what your …

The Best Calming Supplements for Anxious Dogs

Does your dog hide in the bathtub during thunderstorms or bark excessively when guests enter the house? Or do they spend most of their day trembling and looking for dangers behind every corner? If so, you understand the hardships of living with an anxious dog. The destructive behavior. Accidents in the house. Maybe even a …

9 Common Causes of Dog Diarrhea and When You Should be Worried

It’s not something dog owners usually want to talk about. But it is something all of them will experience at one time or another. It’s the big D word: Diarrhea. For some dogs, diarrhea is a frequent occurrence. For others, it’s a rare and unnerving experience. No matter where your dog lies on the spectrum, …

How to Help Your Dog Overcome Noise Phobia

Does your dog flee to the bathtub every time the sky darkens with a summer storm? Or shake uncontrollably with every bang from fireworks on the fourth of July? If so, you’re not alone. Noise phobia is a serious problem that can lead to a sharp decline in your pooch’s quality of life, especially if …

Your Dog Just Ingested Rat Poison – What Should You Do Next?

It’s a frightening situation to be in, and one that still sticks out in my mind. I had just finished taking my dogs out for their pre-bedtime potty break. We were headed up the stairs to our townhome when my chihuahua dove into the bushes. I could hear him eating something and pulled him back. …