Today, I want to talk about dogs who are afraid of visitors. This is one of the more common behavior issues that I’m called to help out with – but fortunately, it’s also a relatively easy one to address, in a lot of cases! For today’s discussion, I’m going to go through how I normally approach these visits to help make the dog feel comfortable. We’ll also talk a bit about the training plan that I typically give owners to…
Well, dear readers – this is really something, isn’t it? Like so many of you, I have spent the past few weeks reeling at the sudden changes in both our daily routines, and in our sense of safety and security about the world. I know these are anxious times for all of us. My dogs and I are safely hunkered down at home, eating snacks and watching Netflix – I hope you and yours are safe as well. Many of…
Hi all! A quick announcement – I will be hosting a webinar this evening (Thursday, 3/12) through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy about making veterinary visits easier for dogs with aggression issues, or who might otherwise have behavioral “special needs” at the vet’s office. Full description and registration link are below. **Note: you DO NOT have to attend the webinar live, if it doesn’t fit with your schedule. As long as you’re registered, a recording will be available for you…
Today’s topic is one that you might not have ever given much thought to, but it has more impact on your training than you might think! What makes behavior happen? Or to put it another way… why does your dog sit, when you say “sit!”? (Or if he doesn’t sit… why not?) That might seem like a rather esoteric, theoretical question at first – but actually, it has some pretty significant implications for how we train our dogs in the…
Hi all! A quick announcement – I will be hosting a webinar this evening (Thursday, 10/31) through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy about anxiety issues in dogs. Full description and registration link are below. Note that FDSA is doing an anxiety webinar “double header” this evening! Dr. Jessica Hekman, a veterinarian and PhD who works as a researcher studying how genetics and environmental factors affect behavior, will also be presenting on this topic from a research perspective – which should…
Hey there, gang. Today, it’s time for another installment of “problem solving at Dr. Jen’s house.” (For another example of this, see my previous post about my dog Clint, and his habit of launching himself at the TV. Still doing great with that, by the way!) Note that today’s post is not going to be especially profound or poetic. It may not change your life. Sometimes dog training *can* be profound and poetic, but sometimes it’s just finding a user-friendly…
Hi all! I’m excited to announce that I will be doing another webinar through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy this Thursday, June 27th! The topic this time around will be handling veterinary emergencies – we’ll talk about how to manage relatively minor issues like limping, vomiting and diarrhea, and minor injuries. We’ll also discuss how to know when you need a vet visit, what’s an emergency vs. “it can wait,” and how to do first aid procedures like CPR and…
A couple of years ago, I did a behavior consultation for a young hound mix I’ll call “Tilly.” As behavior issues go, her main problem was fairly benign. She didn’t bite family members, lunge at other dogs, or destroy the house when her owner was gone. Rather, she had a tendency to get excited – very, VERY excited – whenever the doorbell rang, or someone new entered the house. Putting on her leash for a walk or car ride, or…
Today, I want to talk about little dogs. I was at a client’s home a few weeks ago, doing a behavior consultation for their adorable two-year-old Maltese mix. “Chloe” had a tendency to get over-aroused and begin barking, jumping, and nipping over seemingly benign activities like family members putting on their coats, loading the dishwasher, or using their exercise equipment. Chloe was a friendly dog who hopped happily onto the couch to greet me as soon as I sat down,…
Today, I want to talk about one of the most common struggles I see with my behavior clients and their dogs. Often, they’ve been through a basic obedience class or two, and their pup has learned a few skills. But when they try to apply them in real life, they quickly run into a road block: “Buster is so stubborn! He only listens if I have a treat.” Or, more broadly in casual conversations or online discussions: “You know, that’s…