Meet my sporty dog Crimes. He’s successfully competed in dock diving, fast cat, barn hunt, and nose work. He trains in flyball and agility - we are a playful household.

Have you ever watched in awe as a dog and its handler navigate a complex obstacle course with speed, precision, and breathtaking teamwork? Welcome to the thrilling world of dog agility!

Counterconditioning - a method deeply rooted in behavioral science - offers a powerful and effective strategy to help transform these behaviors into positive outcomes.

Can we draw parallels to author Gary Chapman’s five famous “love languages?” Might physical touch, quality time, or gift giving unlock our pups’ emotional preferences?

That’s a big part of why we have dogs in the first place: they accept us unconditionally and offer a never-ending supply of love whenever we’re ready to receive it.

Our understanding of animal behavior has evolved significantly in the last few decades (thanks, science). Yet outdated ideas about the best way to train dogs persist.

How do you know if your dog is capable of becoming a service animal? And how do you prepare your dog for such a big leap in responsibilities?

For many dogs, new experiences like fireworks, travel, and house guests can turn this time of year into a stressful mess.

There are some very real benefits to growing up with a dog, but adding a dog to your family is not a decision that should be made lightly.

“Don’t get a Malinois,” people repeatedly warned me when I first declared my intention to welcome one of these famously intense Belgian herding dogs into my life.

Have you tried using food in training but found it difficult? Here are some of my top tips for the effective use of food in dog training.

Whether you are a new dog owner or an experienced one delving deeper into the intricacies of dog training, you'll likely encounter unfamiliar or puzzling terms and phrases.

Getting a new dog is an exciting time for both of you, but it can also be stressful, especially for a dog who may have experienced trauma or who is getting used to a whole new world of smells, sounds, and people.

Does your dog watch out your windows and bark at everything that passes?

Walking a reactive or fearful dog can be stressful, both for your pup and for you as their human companion.

Here in California, the CARDA dog handlers work with a wide variety of breeds, but there are also some you might not think of as typical for this line of work.

Did you know that Take Your Dog To Work Day was invented by Pet Sitters International in 1999?

Dog sports can be as simple as a weekend hobby or as serious as any career.

Bob Dylan was right about many things, never more so than when he penned The Times They Are A-Changin’.

Maybe you’ve watched your dog sprint around a park, leaping over logs, rocks, or other dogs, and thought, “Wow, my dog would probably be good at agility.”