Perhaps it began with a look. A sudden, hard stare as you sat down on the couch beside your trusted family dog, or reached for a toy in his mouth. Nothing overt, but… a strange feeling. Hairs standing up on the back of your neck. Something not quite right. Or, perhaps the first sign was something much more obvious and seemingly out-of-the-blue – a snarl and growl, a snap or even a bite that drew blood as you reached for…
It’s that time of year again… your reminder card has arrived in the mail, and Buster is due for his annual wellness exam. Or perhaps he’s limping, or coughing, or his skin allergies are flaring up. Whatever the reason, you know what it means – a trip to the vet. If you dread veterinary visits because your dog is so anxious, you’re not alone. I would estimate that on any given day, at least half of the patients I see…
Today’s post has a more philosophical bent than some of my previous entries, but I think it’s a topic well worth exploring. It’s not always enough to talk about how to do things, what works and what doesn’t – to be truly effective trainers, we also need to think about why. First, let me start with a very general question: what is dog training about? As humans, we have a natural tendency to view our dogs’ behavior through the prism…
Bringing home a new, furry bundle of joy is a life-changing event, fraught with both excitement and trepidation. There is no denying that an 8-week-old puppy is lots of fun, cute and playful and full of promise… but once the initial thrill has subsided a bit, there are a number of practical things to consider. Purchasing food and water bowls in just the right size, a collar and leash that suits her. Dog beds. Perhaps a crate. What kind of…
Years ago, when I was a senior veterinary student working as an extern with OSU’s clinical behavior service, I saw a case that stuck hard in my memory and has never faded. The patient was a beautiful three-year-old female German shepherd I’ll call Heidi. She was a lovely dog in most respects – friendly and gentle with people, very bright, and a quick learner. In the consultation room, she was calm and well-mannered, approaching us readily with a wagging tail…
Today’s topic is one of the most common questions we get from new puppy owners at our training facility – what’s the point of puppy kindergarten? Can’t we just go ahead and put Buddy in obedience class, so he can start learning the important stuff? I get it. I really do. Especially if Buddy is a large-breed dog, like a Labrador or a Great Dane, who will be capable of knocking over full-grown adults in a few short months without…
It’s a common scenario. You’ve just brought home your new puppy. Eight weeks old, all roly-poly fluff and cute as a button. You’ve heard that puppies need to be “socialized,” and you definitely plan to work on that when you get a chance. Maybe sign up for a class with your local trainer, or start taking her for walks around the neighborhood. But not just yet. You’ll start when the weather gets warmer. When your work schedule eases up a…
Hi all, and welcome to Dr. Jen’s Dog Blog! Let me introduce myself: I’m a veterinarian and professional dog trainer, with a particular interest in behavior problems like aggression, separation anxiety, and compulsive behavior issues. I do private behavior consultations and spend a lot of time working one-on-one with clients and their problem dogs, but also teach group obedience classes and do general “vet stuff” in the clinic as well – wellness exams and vaccines, sick pet visits, spays/neuters, etc. …