Oh Behave!

As a professional dog trainer, I sometimes have to deliver news that clients aren’t eager to hear. One of the most difficult things to impress upon some people is that training is a process, and sometimes it’s a long one. We live in a world of instant access to information, sound bites and instant gratification. We’re increasingly expected to accomplish more tasks more quickly at work, sometimes all at the same time. We’re all busy. It’s no wonder that so many people want their dogs to master basic obedience immediately, or want behavior modification to happen overnight.

My dog Vinnie is a young Kelpie mix we adopted when he was a wee 4 months old. We’ve never had his DNA tested but I’d bet my last dollar he’s all herding mutt. He’s got the high energy, drive and smarts of a herding dog. And over the summer, he passed his herding instinct test with flying colors. Continue Reading

If you’re about to adopt your very first dog, you’re probably a little overwhelmed at the variety of dog stuff out there on the market. Every toy, collar, and chewie out there screams, “If you buy nothing else, buy me!”

Hopefully this post is about to make things easier for you. Read on for a list of Top New Dog Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed. Continue Reading