Category: Uncategorized

Is the US the outlier in pet ownership?

I recently returned from 9-day excursion along the Rhine River. My husband and I had a wonderful time exploring some beautiful cities. But the best part of the adventure was the opportunity to observe the European dog culture I’d often heard about. I appreciate my husband’s tolerance of my dog obsession. He indulged the turning away from historic buildings or interrupting meals to watch dog-owner interactions. 😅 On past vacations, I was equally distracted when observing stray populations in Caribbean […]

Stress and dogs. Good or bad?

How do you feel when you see your puppy dealing with stress? Do you immediately step in and “rescue” them from anything uncomfortable? What if I told you that stress and dogs can go together to create beneficial experiences? When a young Weimaraner recently joined my board-and-train program, I informed his owner that his life was about to change. He’d be living under some new rules, including crate training at night, learning to walk politely on a leash, and participating in […]

Is training ever finished?

I recently returned from a trip to Mississippi, where I attended a training workshop. The focus was upland bird dogs. If you’re not familiar, these are dogs that point and flush birds that nest on the ground, such as quail, partridge, dove, pheasant, etc. Gimli and I logged 1500 miles to get there and back to Iowa in a whirlwind six days, but it was worth it! You might wonder why a pet dog trainer would go to such lengths […]

Puppy training that might save your dog’s life.

There are many reasons to include teaching your pup to tolerate handling in your early puppy training lessons.  Dogs that allow the feet, mouth, and ears to be manipulated are easier to groom and examine. Having worked as a vet tech years ago, I can attest to how appreciative the vet and the staff are if they do not have to wrestle a dog for a routine examination.  Of course, not only is it easier on the staff, it is […]

Raw diet for dogs? How I made the switch.

Committing to feeding a raw diet for dogs took me a while. Before I made the switch I was using what I believed to be a high quality kibble. Now that I’ve been feeding my dogs differently for over a decade, the idea of feeding dry dog food seems like a foreign concept. My interest in feeding my dogs a biologically appropriate diet was ignited by the desire to create a healthier lifestyle for them. I had heard about the […]

Dog food or Human food? What is the difference?

We just finished up with Thanksgiving and are now full steam ahead into the holiday season. If your household is anything like mine, you probably include your furry friends in the seasonal traditions. Those traditions might include something as simple as walking together to enjoy the sparkling lights, or a special gift under the tree for Fido. Perhaps it’s a bit more complex like posing for photos with Santa while wearing those reindeer antlers!Whatever the tradition is, my guess is […]

Thank Dog for “old school” dog trainers!

“Cutting edge.” “New.” “Innovative.” “Modern.” “Science based.” “Humane.” Force free.” “Balanced.”… The list of  attributes dog trainer’s use to describe themselves is overwhelming. Almost as overwhelming as walking through the dog food isle trying to pick the best food for a new puppy. It’s hard to keep pace with which rendition is trending and which has become So yesterday. 🤢 There does seem to be one commonality amongst the influencers today though, and it isn’t a description that is aspired […]

When saying NO isn’t enough.

You can see it coming.  The child rushing toward you, hand outstretched, a caregiver lagging behind while reminding; “remember to ask”… The gleeful woman broadcasting, “he just wants to say hi”…as she desperately clings to a retractable leash while her pooch digs in, determined to come pounce on your pup.  All those feelings that are bubbling up inside of you. If you’re lucky, and have a dog that can tolerate the intrusion, you may only feel a slight annoyance. But […]

Is my dog overweight?

In a previous article about intermittent fasting, I shared tips on how to make fasting part of a dog’s routine without causing undue stress. It referenced several of the known health benefits that intermittent fasting can provide.  However, there was one important benefit left out of the conversation. At the time, I didn’t believe I was leaving it out intentionally. But as I sit down to write about it now, I realize my palms are slightly sweaty! I failed to […]