The magazine for force-free pet professionals

No results found.

Visit our pet owner publication!

New Content

BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #8 – When and How Should We Advocate for Outdoor Pets?

BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #8 – When and How Should We Advocate for Outdoor Pets?

When and How Should We Advocate for Outdoor Pets?   Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on When and How Should We Advocate for Outdoor Pets? Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing ...
BARKS Podcast with Alex Pietraszko: March 26, 2021

BARKS Podcast with Alex Pietraszko: March 26, 2021

Join Niki Tudge and Alex Pietraszko, head of marketing for PPG corporate partner Animals Courses Direct, discussing all the great programs they offer to pet professionals -- as well as the new ...
The Itch to Scratch

The Itch to Scratch

By Andrea Carne  Regardless of whichever behavior issue I have been called upon to assist a cat guardian with – whether it be inappropriate toileting, aggression towards humans, or aggression ...

Latest Articles

PPG World Service Radio Show Launches with Trial Podcast

PPG World Service is the official international e-Radio web-casting arm of The Pet Professional Guild. The mission of PPG World Service is “Global News & Views on Force-Free Pet Care” and will serve as an advocacy forum for force-free dog training and pet care issues. The PPG World ...

Positive Reinforcement Training Tips

They don’t call them “man’s best friend” for nothing!  Domestic dogs have for thousands of years lived with humans in various capacities, from aiding in hunting to protecting livestock. In order to perform these functions, dogs learned to communicate with people and perform as their owners ...

Sheepherding, from the Lamb’s Perspective (Part One)

Sheep herding is a wonderful way for a handler and a dog to work together as a team in a time-honored tradition going back hundreds of years.  Herding is the process of moving livestock by using a dog, such as a border collie.  It requires close coordination between the handler and dog, moving ...

“Be NICE!”

If I’m a dog, and I’m on a leash, and another dog invades my space, I’m gonna growl. That’s just how I feel. Back the heck off, pal! I can’t get away from you, on account of I’m on a leash! That means you need to get away from me. Please and thank you. Plain and simple. So how come my person ...

Taming the Beast

Written by Diane Garrod BSc, this article was originally published in BARKS from the Guild, June 2014. Managing an aggressive dog is a permanent commitment but it is most definitely possible. Owning an aggressive dog creates immediate liability. It is critical to use prevention and ...

Pet Professional Guild Launches First International Chapter, PPG Australia

Tampa, FL – The Pet Professional Guild has announced the establishment of its first overseas chapter in Australia where, on April 4, 2015, members of the Delta Professional Dog Trainers Association (DPDTA) voted overwhelmingly to become PPG Aust  WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. -- In its previous format, ...

The Pet Professional Guild and Victoria Stilwell Partner to Promote Joint Goals of Promoting Force-Free Positive Dog Training Methods

March 2015. Tampa, FL – The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is delighted to announce that Victoria Stilwell is Joining the Pet Professional Guild Special Council in support of PPG and its Guiding Principles. The Pet Professional Guild Special Council is a collection of leading industry experts ...

Socializing a Formerly Feral Dog

When I started this blog, I assumed that I would write a lot about Clara’s training. Clara burst into my life as a 10 week old feral puppy [see note at end about feral dogs], and her socialization window was in the process of closing by the time she came to me. I slipped in that window before ...

Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes

This article was written by Barb Levenson BS and first published in BARKS from the Guild (2014, April) pp. 26-27. Are you shouting cues or asking your dog for behaviors with a soft tone of voice? In a beginner rally class one night, I had an opportunity to show the difference between using ...