You asked me for my secret. How did I manage to hack so many computers and steal millions of dollars while everyone was distracted by Kim Kardashian’s butt? Oops, wrong secret. I mean, how did I train my exuberantly friendly golden retriever Honey to be less friendly so we could pass other dogs and people …
Training & Socialization
Best Thing I Ever Taught My Friendly Dog
When I knew I was bringing home a puppy whose genes made her likely to love everyone, I got excited. I imagined meeting all kinds of people and their pups on the street, impromptu play sessions, and never crossing the street at the sight of another dog. I had reactivity fatigue. And I was ready …
Dumb Ass Dog Owners
The off-leash dog ran down the hill like she was on fire. Her person yelled her name impotently. She might as well have not been there for the attention the dog paid to her. The object of the pup’s attention was a man walking his dog at the bottom of a long hill. Running as …
What Makes Us Irresistible To Dogs?
You’ve probably heard the advice from trainers. If you want your dog to pay attention to you, you have to be the most interesting person ever. But what exactly does that mean? Is it more than just carrying yummy treats? And what about dogs who aren’t food motivated? What can we do to make ourselves …
Why Adopting A Reactive Dog Was The Best Thing I Ever Did
Sure, I like a cute dog video as much as anyone. I enjoy following the agility competitions of doggy athletes. And who doesn’t love a funny dog poop story? But many of my favorite dog blogs share the joys and trials of living with reactive dogs. Why? Where’s the fun in reading about the terror, humiliation, …
Stop Stressing Out Your Dog
Who do you think experiences higher stress levels? A CEO responsible for billions of dollars and thousands of employees? Perhaps a military leader making decisions that could cause deaths and injuries to thousands of soldiers? Or a middle manager just running her small department? If you guessed that stress levels are higher for the CEO or …
Learning From Improv: Lessons For Your Dog And You
Have you ever watched a comedy improv performance? One person starts a riff, the second performer carries it on, and soon the situation takes on a life of its own. How do they think of these things? And how do they keep it going with other people? Are they mind readers? No, not mind readers. But improv …
How Tolstoy Taught My Dog Not To Jump – Quick Tips
Is there anything more annoying than having a dog jumping on you when you’re trying to do something? Okay, maybe you don’t understand if your dog weighs less than 20 pounds. But if you live with a big dog, you know what I mean. Big jumping dogs knock you off-balance. Slobber on your face. And …
Do We Expect Too Much From Our Dogs?
What was he thinking? Did my husband really expect me to work at home all day with chocolate covered pretzels sitting right on the counter? And that he could have one left when he got home from work? Just how much impulse control does he expect me to have? I guess as much as we …
10 Tips For Enjoying The Dog Park
Dog parks are the most schizophrenic issue for dog lovers. Communities crow about their great dog-friendly amenities. And trainers warning you of violent gladiatorial contests not seen since the death of the Roman empire. Who’s right? It depends on the park. It depends on the time. And it depends on the dog. But if your …