New Content

20 Problems With Punishment in Animal Training

by Dr. Karolina Westlund Recently there was a video post in my Facebook feed that caught my attention. Typically, on Facebook, I’m a bit of a lurker. I’m not very active, and when I do watch videos I often don’t share, like or comment – even when perhaps I should. This time, I watched, ...

PPG Advocacy Panel: What Do You Do When You’re the Only Force-Free Professional in Town?

By BARKS from the Guild

Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on What Do You Do When You're the Only Force-Free Professional in Town? Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel ...

Pets, Emotions and Anthropomorphism

By Don Hanson

by Don Hanson Emotions are complicated and messy. So much so that as a youngster watching Star Trek in the 1960s, I was attracted to the Vulcan ethos of suppressing all emotion and replacing it ...

Chat & Chuckle with Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training

Join Niki Tudge and PPG Feline Division Chair Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training as they chat about cat declawing, current legislation banning the procedure and ways to advocate for cats to keep their claws. Apologies in advance for some audio issues in this ...

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Maker of Shock Collar Products

By Niki Tudge Good news! A class-action lawsuit has been filed in California against Radio Systems, maker of shock collar products. The story has been picked up by Bloomberg Law and several other sites. Excerpt from the filing: "This is a consumer class action arising out ...

PPG Inclusivity Division Meetup – Celebrating LGBT History Month & World Mental Health Day

Join hosts Niki Tudge and Lorena Patti of PPG's Inclusivity Division as they celebrate LGBT History Month and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)! Featured guests are Lottie Bennett, Valarie Ross, Angel Rowe and Debbie Sheridan. Listen to the Podcast here on a choice of platforms. Or ...

The Lost Art of Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable – An Urgent Need

By Niki Tudge As business owners, one of our fundamental responsibilities to our clients, our employees and our stakeholders is to ensure that we provide a workplace where civility is not only a priority, but a deep-rooted, daily cultural norm. Manners, respect, consideration, ...

Scent Work Works for Shelter Dogs

Using scent work as part of enrichment programs in shelters can improve both welfare and adoption rates for dogs by Rachel Lane You’ve probably heard people say that when you adopt a shelter dog, you adopt problems and bring home headaches—or another version of the same sentiment. I ...

Is It Time to Have a Business Meeting with Yourself?

by Veronica Boutelle If you’ve ever had someone say to you, “Oh, you’re a dog trainer? It must be so fun to play with puppies all day!” and had to take a very deep breath, we get it. Running your own business, especially one that requires complex behavior work and client support, is a ...

BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #14 – Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern?

Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern? Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern? Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel ...

Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Lisa Radosta of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service

Join Niki Tudge, PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther and BARKS Magazine editor-in-chief Paula Garber as they Chat and Chuckle with Dr. Lisa Radosta, owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service and co-owner of The Real Dog Nerds, about pets with behavior problems requiring a veterinary ...

Meet a Dog Lover Who Pursued a Calling and Now Creates Wonderful R+ Transformations

In our ongoing series of PPG member profiles, BARKS features Aaron Jones of AJ’s Waggin’ Train in Katy, Texas Aaron is a member of PPG’s Inclusivity Division and Shelter and Rescue Division, and he also serves on PPG’s Advocacy Panel. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, how you ...