Trish King 12/5/25 Trish King 12/5/25

Nature vs. Nurture: What Dog Breeds Can and Can’t Predict

It’s probably wise to assume that a dog of a particular breed will show at least some characteristics of that breed rather than the exception.

Trish King 11/7/25 Trish King 11/7/25

Just Say Yum! Using Treats in Training

Food is what’s called a primary reinforcer: a dog needs it to survive. In general, the majority of dogs work most eagerly for food.

Trish King 10/3/25 Trish King 10/3/25

Reality vs. Perfection: When Managing Behavior Makes More Sense

“It’s not the dog, it’s the owner.” Of course, that’s not always true, but it certainly is true much of the time.

Kirsten Wojcik 9/5/25 Kirsten Wojcik 9/5/25

The 70s Mom Game: Raising Resilient Dogs

I’m only half-joking when I tell clients that in the 1970s, my mom would walk out of the grocery store without my sister and me. So how does this relate to dog behavior modification? Great question.

Sara Scott 8/1/25 Sara Scott 8/1/25

When Dogs Guard People: Understanding, Managing, and Changing Behavior

If your dog growls or snaps when someone approaches you or a loved one, it can be upsetting and hard to interpret.

Sara Scott 6/6/25 Sara Scott 6/6/25

Reset and Relax: Teaching Your Dog to Truly Unwind

It may seem counterintuitive, yet teaching your dog to downshift their nervous system in real time isn't just training another behavior; it's giving them the gift of emotional resilience, one breath at a time.

Sara Scott 5/2/25 Sara Scott 5/2/25

Through a New Lens: The Art of Interpreting Canine Behavior

According to Dr. Alison Gerkin, board-certified veterinary behaviorist, understanding canine communication is much like interpreting a work of art - though with higher stakes if we get it wrong.

Sara Scott 12/6/24 Sara Scott 12/6/24

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things: Five Ways to Your Dog’s Heart this Holiday Season

Just like that classic Sound of Music song, dogs have their own special lists of favorite things that never fail to lift their spirits – and ours, too!

Susan Hartzler 10/4/24 Susan Hartzler 10/4/24

Unleashing the Health Benefits of Canine Companionship

Research increasingly highlights how the presence of dogs in our lives can enhance mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.

Dawn Kovell 9/6/24 Dawn Kovell 9/6/24

Cheese, Please! My Dog, the Entrepreneur

How Dice turned treat training into his own small business.

Judy Shevelev 8/2/24 Judy Shevelev 8/2/24

Still Life With Dog: One Friend’s Story

As a dog trainer, I meet people from all walks of life and I’m always curious about their histories and experiences with their dogs. I recently sat down for a thoughtful conversation with my friend Marco about his dog Luna and how she’s changed his life.

Angela Gardner 6/7/24 Angela Gardner 6/7/24

A Little Help From Our Friends: Therapy Dogs Bring Comfort and Joy

Many studies have shown that interactions with therapy dogs can lead to improved moods, decreased feelings of isolation, and even physical benefits such as lowered blood pressure.

Sara Scott 5/3/24 Sara Scott 5/3/24

Where Art and Science Meet: Creativity and Nuance in Dog Training

The essence of dog training often transcends the rigidity of science, and it’s in the nuanced application of these principles that the training process becomes an art form.

Grace Phillips 4/5/24 Grace Phillips 4/5/24

Register Now! Canine Science Symposium, San Francisco State University, May 18-19

Repeatedly ranked one of the Top 10 animal behavior and dog training conferences of the year, this two-day gathering is a must-attend event for behavior consultants, dog trainers, veterinary professionals, and animal shelter staff and volunteers.

Sara Scott 1/5/24 Sara Scott 1/5/24

Paws for Thought: How Dogs Help Us Cope With Post-Holiday Blues

As the festive lights dim and the holiday cheer subsides, many of us find ourselves grappling with the post-holiday blues.

Cydni True 10/6/23 Cydni True 10/6/23

Now I Get It: Surviving Your Pup’s Terrible Teens

While it’s generally believed that dogs enter adolescence between 18 and 24 months of age, it can actually start much earlier depending on breed, social factors, health, and other things.