Training and Behavior Articles:

You’ve seen the guilty look. 

That “Really, Mom, you don’t need to go into the dining room behind the table. There’s nothing there to see. Nothing at all. I’m just going to go out and chase a squirrel now…” look.

When you have pets, accidents are inevitable. Even the best trained dog can’t make it when his people forget to let him out or get stuck in a 3-hour traffic jam coming home from work.

When Jackson, a Jack Russell Terrier, sees his kids donning coats and hears his mom’s car keys, he runs straight to his crate. He curls up on his bed and stays there, even with the door open, until Mom gets back home. His crate is his castle.

Bradley the Bearded Collie is the opposite. He hates his crate. When he hears the car keys, he leaps over the baby gate, runs upstairs, and hides under the biggest bed he can find. If he gets a good head-start, he grabs a shoe to chew on, too.

Why?

You creep through the dark in your robe and bare feet. The scent of fresh coffee rises up the staircase. As your foot steps down onto the landing…squish.

No one likes discovering New Puppy’s accidents, especially by accident.

And if you have a lot of people in your family, you might also experience SomeoneElseWillCleanItUpItis, making it much more important to get that puppy trained quickly.

It takes some effort from all the humans in the family, but the more you invest now, the faster it will happen.

Enjoy "From Wolf to Wag:  The Evolution of the Dog" infographic, created by Invisible Fence^® Brand.  You'll likely uncover some interesting findings about your furry companion.

“…dogs and cats living together…mass hysteria!” -Peter Venkman, Ghostbusters

We’ve been told all our lives that dogs and cats can’t get along. We think peace between the species is a myth.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Spot slinks out of the hall bathroom with a guilty look on his face. You know something’s up, but you’re not sure what it is until he looks away from you licking his chops. You gasp in horror as it hits you.

He’s been snacking in the cat box.

Congratulations!

Your dog has graduated from obedience school at the top of her class. She can sit, lie down, stay, and heel with the best of them.  Now it's time to have fun!

Is there really a centuries old undeclared war between these two species? Why is it that some "mixed species couples" get along famously, while others seem to verify the stereotype? During this month of thanks, can't we all just get along?

Like humans, dogs say a lot with their body. Here are a few tips on how to read a dog’s body language. This is only a guide – please exercise common sense and caution when you approach a dog:

We love our dogs, and, for most of us, they are important members of our family.

You'll rest easy knowing your pet will be safe at your new home.

Even if your dog enjoys short rides with your family, an extended ride on highways may cause anxiety and motion sickness

"Dogs in the landscape." For many homeowners, this simple statement can conjure up visions of terror and destruction. As a professional landscaper, I too have seen the fury of the fur time and time again.

Pets who learn to play early, and play a lot, tend to retain that playfulness later in life.

Here are some simple things you can do to ensure that your puppy becomes a welcomed member of the canine society and your home.

There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk if you follow these easy steps.

If you're like most people, your pets are full-fledged members of the family. They share your living space, they give you unconditional love, and they're always ready with a wag or a purr when you're nearby. But although their cuteness and affection can sometimes make them even more endearing than your human family members, dogs and cats come with their own set of challenges. The most common problem that pet owners mention is the odor associated with their beloved animals.

A lot of dog owners probably think that putting a dog inside a stroller is a useless idea, but they are definitely wrong.