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  The question has come up several times recently, “What are your thoughts on invisible fences?” Even the afternoon radio talk show hosts of New Jersey 101.5 talked about it this month and I just had to call in and offer my perspective. Invisible fences, if you aren’t familiar, are an electronic fence where a…

  If I’ve seen it once, I’ve seen it a dozen times. Heck, I’ve even done it before I knew better. A dog growls and immediately gets told off or punished by their person, vet, groomer, or handler. It seems like a natural gut reaction; a bit like slapping a hand over someone’s mouth when…

There is a long-standing myth that taking a dog for a walk is the best way to exercise them. I whole heartedly disagree. While it can be a great way to exercise a dog, it is certainly not the best or even a requirement of dog ownership. Plenty of dogs cannot enjoy walks. This might…

  If you’ve taken classes with me, you know that I am a big proponent of using a lot of vocalization with our dogs. Your voice can indicate so many things to your dog if it is used properly. If I am working on a relaxing behavior, my praise will be slow and often in…

Being a dog owner can be really frustrating at times. The dog does something you don’t like, and it is absolutely infuriating when you can’t seem to get them to stop doing it. Without even intending it, you find yourself yelling “No!” at the top of your lungs, desperate for some reaction, some inkling of…

I truly believe that the key to a successful relationship between humans and animals is proper management. The things we humans find distasteful are often second nature to our animal counterparts. This is why the large, dangerous carnivores are behind steel bars or reinforced glass at the zoo. We humans don’t particularly want to be…

When it comes to service providers for your pets, how do you choose? How do you find a good boarding facility or dog walker? While there is no perfect answer, I want to share some questions you might use to help interview a business. The new trend in boarding is that many boarding facilities also…

Speaking with my friend and training assistant, Sheryl, we got into a discussion on the value of our dogs. We talked about how much we have put into our beloved four-legged family members and what it would mean to us if something happened to them. And I don’t mean death. Your dog’s whole world can…

October is here and that means Halloween is only a few weeks away. For many dogs, this is all their worst fears wrapped into one: Creepy noises, lawn decorations that move and cackle as you walk past, strangers coming to the door and people acting and appearing TOTALLY WEIRD. From many dog’s perspectives, Halloween is…

It’s that time of year again! The stores are suddenly flooded with back to school supplies, Halloween decorations and (I can’t even stand it) CHRISTMAS decor! UGH.  Although I’m definitely not ready to give up summer, I always look forward to spending a little more time outdoors with my dog this time of year as…

When I worked as a veterinary assistant, the most common questions the vet asked the pet owner when a small animal came into the office sick were not about the animal itself but about the environment in which the pet lives. What size is the cage? What temperature is the habitat? What food are you…

You’ve probably heard me say it before, but being your dog’s advocate is one of the most important things you can do as your dog’s owner. You should be the first one to say, “my dog has had enough” or “It’s time for us to go” when you can see the first signs of your…