3 steps to off-leash training
Safety and reliable recall are the two most important factors when training your dog off-leash.
Letting your dog off-leash is fun and exhilarating for both...
Are you greeting your dog correctly?
Scientific studies reveal how our dogs feel about the way we are greeting them.
Sooner or later, it seems science gets around to answering those...
Understanding canine eye contact
Does your dog ever make sustained eye contact with you? Discover the meaning behind his gaze.
Does your dog stare into your eyes? A new...
Give Treibball a try!
Sometimes referred to as urban herding, Treibball (pronounced “try-ball”) combines herding and obedience, but instead of using live animals like sheep or ducks, participants...
Why dogs shake off
How often does your dog shake off? Is it a full body shake or just the neck and upper body?
Our dogs are smarter than...
How to turn around a fussy eater
Fussy dogs can drive us crazy. We might try 20 different foods, we beg and cajole…but sometimes nothing seems to work.
While most dogs eat...
Multi-Dog walking
Multi-dog walking is a lot of fun, but can also be challenging. Here’s what you need to know before heading out with your pack.
Why...
Can dogs read faces?
Dogs can discern different facial expressions and actually study faces much as we do, according to research published in Plos One.* Scientists used gaze-tracking...
How does your dog behave when you’re out?
“Ever wonder what pets do when we’re not home?” This tagline from the animated movie The Secret Life of Pets poses a question we...
Bringing up baby: training tips for your new pup
Advice on potty training, chewing, walking and more!
That sweet face, those adorable kisses, that unmistakable puppy breath! A new puppy brings so much joy...
Why dogs stretch
Pay close attention to how your dog stretches. Does he do both “upward dog” and “downward dog”? Is the depth of the stretch equal...
4 top behaviours every dog should know
Training your dog starts with knowing the most important things to teach him. “Stay”, “come”, “leave it”, and “heel” top the list of behaviours...
How to car train your dog
As soon as you get ready to leave the house, your dog wants to tag along. Many of your trips together will include a...
10 ways to build a bond with your puppy
Establishing a healthy bond from the start will ensure a meaningful friendship that lasts a lifetime.
Forging a healthy bond with a new puppy is...
How to train your puppy not to jump on you
Puppies and puppy breath are two of my favourite things in life. A happy and healthy puppy is full of life, fun and energy....
How to crate train your dog
A crate is the perfect place for your puppy or dog to sleep and spend quiet time.
It can be his personal property and a...
Can dogs learn by just watching and listening?
At a small reception following a talk I gave on dog communication, one of the university hosts introduced me to a developmental psychologist who...
Step-by-step training tips
Bringing a new puppy home to join your family is an exciting time. A time full of laughter and fun. A time full of...
Making a splash with Dock Diving
Calling all water babies! If your dog enjoys the water, Dock Diving, aka Dock Jumping, might tick all the boxes for you and your...
Why positive training works for your dog
What’s the best way to train a dog? Is it okay to resort to punishment, or should you use only positive, reward-based techniques? These differing...
Small dog syndrome
Little dogs make wonderful companions, so why do some people still think of them as yappy ankle biters?
“Small dog syndrome” is a term that...
Solutions for growling dogs
Q. My two shelties (age three and one) are very gentle and friendly towards strangers. They are also well trained and can perform many...
Get your dog ready for a baby!
Congratulations – you’re having a baby! Have you told your dog yet?
Now is the time to start preparing your pup for the arrival of...
4 essential rules for the dog park
Whether your furbaby is a seasoned socialite or new to hanging around other dogs, here are 4 essential rules you need to know before...
How to choose a dog training class
Know what to ask and look for when choosing the right training class for you and your dog.
Most of us recognize the importance...
Taming your dog’s barking
Ding dong! Chaos erupts as Molly skids barking down the hallway to get to the door before her human, Pat. “She’s such a sweet dog,...
5 tips for dog bite prevention week
Each year, dogs bite more than 5 million people in the U.S. and Canada. This is an astounding statistic, but it is also one...
Teaching boundaries to your dog
Want to ensure your dog stays put when freedom beckons? Here's how to teach him some boundaries.
What would your dog do if the front...
Sniffing out fun with Nose Work
No matter what size or shape, dogs everywhere love to catch a scent. Nose Work, a relatively new sport on the scene, provides a...
Get your dog fit!
Exercise doesn’t just keep your dog healthy and fit and extend his lifespan. It also reduces anxiety, builds confidence, provides an excellent way to...