Knowledge, Education, Tips & Tricks For The Everyday Super Hero’s Owner
A question I get asked a lot: When can I start training my puppy? The answer: Right away! People often think that puppies can’t learn until they reach a certain age or that a newly adopted dog needs time to settle in. And while you should be patient with young...
When training a dog, every great trainer needs three things: Timing, Consistency and Motivation. What do I mean about motivation? I mean the thing that makes your dog WANT to work. For you, it’s your paycheck. Regardless of the amount of love you have for your job,...
Our Blog Knowledge, Education, Tips & Tricks For The Everyday Super Hero’s...
Thinking about getting a puppy is super exciting but takes a lot of planning. It should not be an impulse decision. After deciding what kind of puppy will be best for your family and lifestyle, your next decision is where you should get the puppy from. There are a...
If you’ve ever been to one of my classes, had a private lesson with me or even read one of my other blog entries, you know that I LOVE talking about mental stimulation. Mental stimulation is simply working out your dog’s brain with training or other activities. This...
This article was featured in the May 2017 issue of SA Amigo- San Antonio Bilingual Pet Magazine. Check out the digital copy here.
You’re very aware of your mental state-sometimes you’re happy, angry, anxious or nervous- but do you give your dog’s mental state much thought? Probably not. While we humans can talk about how we’re feeling inside, our canine companions communicate the same thing in ways that may not be so clear to us, through body language and behavior. The funny thing is that mental state and training affect each other in reciprocal ways.
Let’s clear up what the term “aggression” means
As a professional in an industry that unfortunately has many schools of thought as to training methodology, I have to be careful about the specific words I use when explaining behavior to non-positive reward based trainers. I hear from clients every single week that their dog is “aggressive” but when they describe the dog’s behavior, aggression is not the right label.
As a pet professional I frequently get asked about what I feed my dog or for recommendations on pet food brands. Everyone has two things in mind when deciding on what food to purchase: quality of food and price. But not everyone knows what makes a quality food.
When I begin training with a new client, I often ask what kind of food they’re feeding their dog. Sometimes my clients look a little bewildered as to why I would even ask. The reason is because food not only has huge implications on health, skin, and odor but on the mental function and energy level of our pets as well. Think about this – how do you feel after eating a big, greasy burger from a fast food joint? On the other hand, how do you feel after eating a balanced meal of vegetables and lean protein? While that greasy burger may taste fantastic going down, an hour later you may feel sluggish and ready for a nap, or have trouble concentrating on what you’re working on. The same thing happens to our pets! Feeding a low-quality food with little nutritional value is the equivalent of you eating pizza, burritos and fast food for every meal.
Getting a puppy is a fun and exciting time. But if this is your first puppy ever, or it’s been a while, you may have some questions. These are the questions I get asked the most as a trainer: When can I start training? RIGHT AWAY! Whether you think you’re actively...
Thinking about getting a puppy is super exciting but takes a lot of planning. It should not be an impulse decision. After deciding what kind of puppy will be best for your family and lifestyle, your next decision is where...
If you’ve ever been to one of my classes, had a private lesson with me or even read one of my other blog entries, you know that I LOVE talking about mental stimulation. Mental stimulation is simply...
This article was featured in the May 2017 issue of SA Amigo- San Antonio Bilingual Pet Magazine. Check out the digital copy here. You’re very aware of your mental state-sometimes you’re happy, angry, anxious or nervous- but do you...
Let’s clear up what the term “aggression” means As a professional in an industry that unfortunately has many schools of thought as to training methodology, I have to be careful about the specific words I use when explaining...
As a pet professional I frequently get asked about what I feed my dog or for recommendations on pet food brands. Everyone has two things in mind when deciding on what food to purchase: quality of food...
Getting a puppy is a fun and exciting time. But if this is your first puppy ever, or it’s been a while, you may have some questions. These are the questions I get asked the most as...
So you’ve decided to get a puppy. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on the best and most fun 10-16 years, give or take a few. Let’s talk about some things to prepare you for the journey, especially...
It’s no coincidence puppy season falls at the beginning of the New Year. A lot of families get puppies as Christmas presents. Puppies are a lot of fun and may seem like a great gift for your...
I’m no super hero – I put my fur-covered yoga pants on one leg at a time. Yes, I can teach a dog to do a cute trick, teach wanted behaviors and curb unwanted behaviors but I...
Whether your dog training goals include basic obedience for your puppy or more intensive behavior modification for your adult dog, the trainer you choose is a huge and important decision. It can be hard to even admit...
Picture this: you come home from a day at work and your dog is so excited to see you that he goes bonkers – jumping, barking, racing around. Or how about this: you’re walking your dog around...
For some people, the scariest day of the year is Halloween. For others, it may be their birthday (one year closer to the grave – horrifying!!). But for a lot of dogs, the scariest day of the...
