My goal for every dog who goes to their first home is simple. I want that home to be home for life. But sometimes life changes and dogs need a second chance. When someone opens their home to a rescue dog, they give that [...]
A dog resource guarding against other dogs can escalate quickly if it is ignored or handled the wrong way. If your puppy or dog freezes, growls, charges, or snaps when another dog comes near food, toys, a bed, or even a specific location in [...]
Over the years, I have been asked a lot of questions about dog agility and dog sports. Questions about connection. Questions about motivation. Questions about fitness. Questions about puppies. Questions about start lines, retirement decisions, and how to reach the championship level. While these [...]
(For Doorbell Dog Barking and Barking When You Leave) If you’re living with a dog who barks for hours, barks at the doorbell, or barks the moment you leave the house, you are not alone. I hear from overwhelmed pet homes every week who [...]
“Why does my dog ignore me when I call?” If you have ever asked that question, especially while watching your dog joyfully sprint in the opposite direction, you are not alone. In most cases, a recall does not stop working because a dog is [...]
One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “When can I start agility with my puppy?” Dog agility looks fast, exciting, and like a great way to have fun together. But here’s what surprises most people: agility with a puppy isn’t about equipment, [...]
If you’re living with an excited dog who barks, lunges, spins, or seems unable to listen, you’re not alone. Maybe your dog explodes at the end of the leash. Maybe they grab treats, nip hands, or bounce off the walls when something exciting happens. [...]
Holiday celebrations can feel magical to us, but for our dogs they can feel like a whirlwind wrapped in ribbon. Noise, guests, kids, food, new smells, wrapping paper everywhere, it is a lot. And while we might think, “My dog will be fine, he [...]
If you have ever wished your dog could slow down, think things through, and make confident choices, Vito’s Thinking Game is one of my favorite brain games for dogs because it builds those skills beautifully. I discovered it in 2010 from Italian dog trainer [...]
If your puppy is grabbing your sleeves, nipping your ankles, or turning your hands into tiny chew toys, you might be wondering if you brought home a baby alligator instead of a dog. Many people start to worry that something is wrong with their [...]
Guest post by Enya Habel Sitting here today, I can hardly believe where this journey has taken me. When I first stepped into the world of dog agility, I had no idea how deeply it would challenge me or how much it would teach [...]
Every one of us who trains dogs eventually meets a challenge that makes us question what we believe… A dog who “doesn’t respond.” A behavior that won’t change. A problem that feels unsolvable. A distraction that seems overwhelming. It’s tempting, in those moments, [...]
