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Perfect Dog? What You Put In Is What You Get Out

So many times people say to me - your dog must be perfectly behaved right? Well...yes, he responds very well to what I ask him to do in various situations, but it doesn't 'just happen.' It's not something that miraculously occurs - it takes work. Unfortunately, sometimes owners enter the ...

BARKS Podcast with Sally Williams: November 19, 2019

Guest:  Sally Williams, cat behavior consultant, owner of The Contented Cat, founding director of The Brodie Fund, founder of The Feline Fine Project and 'mom' to Marlinthebuddhacat Topic:  Pet cancer and its impact on family members. The diagnosis of cancer in a pet can not only be ...

The Elephant on the Stairs

By Bob McMillan Positive training is not a new idea. With starts and stops over the last century, it has been used by empathetic individuals to bring out the best in their animal companions. A recent book, Elephant Company by Vicki Constantine Croke, reveals a surprising chapter in the ...

They Call Him Rocket Man

Dog trainers enjoy the privileged opportunity of influencing the life and welfare of other people’s pets. With that comes great responsibility to only use methods and equipment which are modern and effective, while promoting a positive relationship as the dog becomes a full member of the ...

The Miracle Mutt

By Gail Radtke Changing your career in your 40s is nerve-wracking at the best of times but I was lucky enough to have a very special friend to inspire and guide me towards following my passion. That special someone was Lanie, a Shar-Pei-Chow-Malamute-shepherd-mix girl who completely changed ...

The Power of the Clicker

By Donna Savoie Dickens’ family purchased him from a breeder when he was five months old. The breeder did not allow the family to see the entire litter nor the dam and sire before they took him, but brought him up a flight of stairs and simply told the family, “I pick this pup for you.” The ...

When Food Toys “Fail”

By Eileen Anderson How many of us have heard about food-toy failures from our friends and clients? “I tried the Kong with my puppy, but she didn’t like it,” or, “My dog is not smart enough for those puzzle toys!" There is an ever-increasing variety of food toys for dogs and other animals ...

On the Danger of Dog Collars

By Karolina Westlund Ph.D. of PPG corporate partner Illis Animal Behaviour Consulting There’s a debate raging in Sweden about whether choke collars are potentially dangerous to dogs. Pros and cons of choke collars? Photo: Elf, Wikipedia Several influential dog coaches on TV use and recommend ...