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Common Stumbling Blocks to Behavioral Recovery for Dogs and How to Overcome Them

by Diane Garrod In response to a survey of more than 1,000 pet parents in the United States by Kinship Partners (2021), 62% said their top priority is their pets’ happiness, and 80% said their pets deserve more of their time. Seventy-one percent said they could not have survived the ...

Advocating Together—The Mission, Vision and Values of the Pet Professional Guild

By Niki Tudge

by Niki Tudge Each of us wants to bring about change in our industry. We yearn for a day when pain and fear are no longer used in the training and care of pets. We have a mammoth job ahead of ...

Crossover Trainer Regine Manicom Uses a Better and Kinder Way to Get Amazing Results

By BARKS from the Guild

In this PPG member profile, Regine Manicom of Regine's Dog Training shares her thoughts on becoming a force-free professional: "I want all animals to experience this way of life … it is in keeping with how I want to be treated and how I treat others, and animals deserve the same."

Pet Professional Guild Announces 2023 Summit, Invites Proposals for Academic Sessions and Skill Labs

Event to take place at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix, November 1-5 INVERNESS, Fla. – Sept. 29, 2022 – The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has announced that its 2023 Summit will take place November 1-5, 2023, at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix. The in-person event will also be ...

Ask the Experts: How to Break Up With a Client

by Veronica Boutelle Dear dogbiz, I pride myself on being able to work effectively with my clients, even when it’s tough. And generally, that’s what happens. Recently, however, I’ve been working with a new client and it’s become increasingly challenging. There have been some ...

BARKS Podcast with Annie Phenix of Phenix Dogs

Join Niki Tudge as she Chats and Chuckles with Annie Phenix of Phenix Dogs about using emotion and connection in training, and much more! Annie’s new book, Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs: Proven Techniques to Help Your Dog Recover from Fear and Anxiety and Enjoy Walks ...

BARKS Podcast with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior

Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther as they Chat and Chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of PPG corporate partner, Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior about her new book, The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being. Listen to the ...

Fun Canine Nose Work in the Shelter

Congratulations to Kristin Laurene! This post won runner up in the 2022 Canine Scent Writing Competition. It is definitely not a news flash to any dog owner that a dog’s sense of smell is its strongest. It is also not surprising to hear about dogs stuck in shelter environments getting bored ...

BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #13 – What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners?

What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners? Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners? Pet guardians and pet professionals, we invite you to listen as panel members ...

Scent Success: Giving Scent Work a Second Chance

Congratulations to Shelley Doane! This post won runner up in the 2022 Canine Scent Writing Competition. I started getting interested in canine scent work with my dogs a few years ago. It began with an introductory class taught by a fellow trainer. It was an interesting class with lots of ...

Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog

Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Division Chair Judy Luther to Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom. Irith is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog and offers virtual, online training for dogs and other pets. Listen to the Podcast with Irith Bloom here on your choice of ...

The Harness Is Coming – Run for the Hills!

I often wonder why some of us expect our dogs to miraculously accept collars, harnesses, leashes, and the like. After all, dogs are not born with these alien contraptions attached to their person! But some of this gear must feel restrictive, worrying, anxiety-provoking, or ...