20 Problems With Punishment in Animal Training
by Dr. Karolina Westlund
Recently there was a video post in my Facebook feed that caught my attention.
Typically, on Facebook, I’m a bit of a lurker. I’m not very active, and when I do watch videos I often don’t share, like or comment – even when perhaps I should.
This time, I watched, ...
The Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Grain-Free Pet Food Debacle
Don Hanson discusses the FDA’s announcement on December 23, 2022, that it found no evidence to suggest that grain-free pet food contributes to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). He reviews the chronology of the investigation, including the criticism of the FDA and the veterinarians behind the investigation. The article includes links to the references cited.
Common Stumbling Blocks to Behavioral Recovery for Dogs and How to Overcome Them
by Diane Garrod
In response to a survey of more than 1,000 pet parents in the United States by Kinship Partners (2021), 62% said their top priority is their pets’ happiness, and 80% said their pets deserve more of their time. Seventy-one percent said they could not have survived the ...
Meet Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training
Laura Cassiday takes cat owners from hopeless to hopeful using her feline expertise and force-free training techniques.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into animal behavior and training, and what you are doing now?
I studied English and professional writing in ...
PPG Advocacy Panel: What Do You Do When You’re the Only Force-Free Professional in Town?
Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on What Do You Do When You're the Only Force-Free Professional in Town?
Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format.
Your Moderator: PPG Advocacy ...
Pets, Emotions and Anthropomorphism
by Don Hanson
Emotions are complicated and messy. So much so that as a youngster watching Star Trek in the 1960s, I was attracted to the Vulcan ethos of suppressing all emotion and replacing it with logic. However, I eventually learned that without emotion, we are devoid of joy, gratitude, ...
Advocating Together—The Mission, Vision and Values of the Pet Professional Guild
by Niki Tudge
Each of us wants to bring about change in our industry. We yearn for a day when pain and fear are no longer used in the training and care of pets. We have a mammoth job ahead of us, and it most certainly is not a sprint but a marathon.
It is possible to hold professional ...
Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Winter Outdoor Safety Tips for Pets
Just like people, dogs vary in how well they tolerate cold weather. In addition to significant physical injuries like frostbite and hypothermia, exposure to cold weather conditions can cause dogs (and cats) undue stress and suffering. Here are some tips from the Pet Professional Guild for ...