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Why Do Deaf Dogs Bark?
By Morag Heirs
Barking is a form of communication for all dogs so it is important that we spend some time thinking about why our dogs might be barking. Are they anxious, over-excited, upset, fearful, thrilled, frustrated? Something else?
Avoid concentrating on stopping the ...
Please Don’t Touch
Susan Claire shares a tale of nature versus nurture based on her experiences with Zia, whose reluctance to be touched led her to seek a behavioral consult to help snap her out of the training impasse she suddenly found herself in
Stuck in the Mud
By Lara Joseph
Mini, pocket and teacup are all adjectives used to describe pigs and are specifically designed to impart a certain image to any potential pet pig owner. What might one think of ...
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Which Pavlov Is on Your Shoulder?
The trainer Bob Bailey is often quoted as saying that when one is training an animal, “Pavlov is on your shoulder.” He is reminding us that while we are training operant behaviors (sit, down, fetch, weave), there are also respondent behaviors and respondent conditioning occurring. Respondent ...
Partnering With the Veterinary Community
As a force-free professional dog trainer and behavior consultant I practice a holistic approach to pet care and training and have worked to develop a network of professionals in various fields who serve the needs of dog owners. These services are grooming, pet sitting, boarding, daycare, pet ...
When Standard Positive Reinforcement Fails
By Yvette Van Veen
Early in my dog training days, I remember having a brain storming conversation with a trainer friend who was also a mentor. To put it in context, this person was ahead of me in their learning curve. She was quite good but was also early in her journey. I learned from ...
Training Your Cat to Sit on Cue
By Jennifer Van Valkenburg
I actually came to cat training completely by accident. My kitty was overweight and unhealthy so her vet recommended an entirely new lifestyle. This came with adding exercise (I remember thinking, how do you exercise a cat? - more on that later) and a new food ...
Take Your Dog Training Career to the Next Level with Karen Pryor Academy
By Karen Pryor Academy
Do you want to feel empowered with the skills to become a dog trainer who is ready to launch a successful business or career? Karen Pryor Academy’s Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program is for anyone with a significant interest in dog training and behavior. It’s a ...
Portland Blog Competition: Tips to Reduce Leash Reactivity
By Michelle Wieser
When a leashed dog barks, pulls or lunges at other dogs (or wildlife, skateboards, kids, bikers, etc.), it is known as leash reactivity. Dogs may feel trapped and restricted by the leash and, unfortunately, given that they can’t voluntarily remove themselves from the ...
BARKS Podcast with Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM: December 12, 2018.
Guest: Dr. Jean Dodds DVM, Founder of Hemopet
Topic: An article regarding vaccinations that was inaccurately attributed to Dr. Dodds and has been circulating. Dr. Dodds reviewed the article, rebuts statements and corrected the vaccination protocol.
Listen to the Recorded Podcast Here
Road Trip with Your Dog | Dog Travel Tips
Hitting the open road with a dog can be a great adventure. There are so many great dog-friendly destinations you can explore, but traveling with dogs can be a challenge if you aren't prepared. To get you and Fido ready for your next vacation with your dog, I have 5 of my best dog-friendly ...
Career Aptitude Testing … for Dogs
What if there were a test that could tell you whether a dog would make a good assistance dog or detection dog or search & rescue dog ... or whatever career you hoped the dog would choose?
Researchers Evan MacLean and Brian Hare are working on it. Their recently published study, "Enhanced ...