New Content
Aggression from Hearing Impairment?
By Morag Heirs
As any reputable behavior consultant will tell you, all animals presenting with a behavior problem should first be checked by a vet.
As behavior consultants, we work on veterinary referral for a number of reasons. Firstly, we want to be sure that the problem is not a ...
A Letter to the First Dogs about Training Gear
Woofs from Gizmo's Office
Hey Major and Champ!
I wanted to drop you a quick note and congratulate you both on your new “digs!” It’s great watching fellow canines once again enjoying the lush ...
The Right Dog Harness for the Job
By Joan Hunter Mayer of PPG corporate partner Transpaw Gear®
What do selecting a harness for your dog and shoe shopping have in common? More than you might think!
When you venture out- or ...
Latest Articles
Built for Speed… and Service
By Bob McMillan
Greyhounds might not be the first dog you’d think of if you were looking for candidates for service dogs for U.S. war veterans.
They’re bred for explosive bursts of speed. No other breed is better equipped for sprinting than the greyhound. They have chests, lungs and hearts ...
The PPG Key Charter – Renew Your Passion
PPGs Key Charter is supported by our Vision, Mission & Values and collectively known as The PPG “Guiding Principles”
As we come close to our third year of operation I wanted to share this message with you all. I personally find it very pleasurable to read and it is as meaningful today as ...
“Bad” Dogs Make Good Teachers
OK, I’ll admit it, I’m having a tiny bit of puppy envy. I’m working with a private client and his 13 week old springer spaniel. This wide-eyed cutie pie has already met everyone and everything on the ASPCA socialization list except the hot air balloon (and since we’re not in Albuquerque, we ...
The Many Faces of Behavior Myopia: Recognizing the Subtle Signs
By Angelica Steinker and Eileen Anderson with additional contributions by Jan Casey and Niki Tudge. Originally published in BARKS from the Guild, October 2014.
The fundamental goal of any behavior modification program should be to improve the dog’s (1) and owner’s emotional states, both ...
LEFT FOOT OR RIGHT FOOT – What is the best foot to start forward when heeling?
LEFT FOOT OR RIGHT FOOT – What is the best foot to start forward when heeling?
by Barb Levenson
For years most obedience people, except yours truly, have been taught to start heeling with their left foot, the foot closest to the dog. I started my obedience training in Dallas with two ...
Get Your Paws Off My Plate!
It was my first day on the job and I was sitting in the cafeteria at a table with other new employees. This was an exciting time, not only beginning a new job, but also the opportunity to get to know more people. As I was attentively listening to the woman’s conversation on my left, I couldn’t ...
A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas
Now that Thanksgiving is in the past, our focus turns to Christmas. Finding the perfect gift for a loved one can be a daunting task. If you are considering giving or getting a pet as a present, please do some research.
First, be sure the intended recipient wants an animal. A client once ...
Can You “Baby-Proof” Your Dog?
The dog training school where I teach has a exciting new partnership with Babies-R-Us: We’re about to start monthly seminars for expecting and new parents on finding your “new normal” with a baby plus a dog. I’m using today’s post to organize my thoughts and brainstorm a bit. I’ll lay out the ...
Humans Have Feelings Too
Most extreme behavior issues will take considerable time and work to resolve.
The case of two of little dogs I went to a few weeks ago, was very unusual in that the dramatic change was virtually instant.
It was all about the humans and not about the dogs at all. Seldom have I been to dogs ...