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Meet Kim Silver: A Dog Trainer Who Dabbles in Training Parrots

Meet Kim Silver: A Dog Trainer Who Dabbles in Training Parrots

“Dogs are misunderstood, and our cultural ideas about them are hurting them. Dogs need a voice, and often it's their dog trainer who is speaking up for them. I love being that person for a dog.” —Kim Silver Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into animal training, ...
Meet Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training

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 ...
PPG Advocacy Panel: What Do You Do When You’re the Only Force-Free Professional in Town?

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 ...

Latest Articles

Aggression from Hearing Impairment?

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 Positive Exchange

A Positive Exchange

By Cecelia Sumner  One of my general observations about dogs is they are not good at sharing. From a canine point of view, attention, food, toys, even a comfortable resting place might be worth protecting from encroachment. And, the encroachers might be any species, humans, canines or even ...
Running in Circles

Running in Circles

By Jane Gerard It is often stated that the relinquishment of dogs to animal shelters in Europe and the US is largely due to behavior issues (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, 2008; Miklósi, 2007). I am saddened but not surprised by this. As a trainer I have witnessed it many ...
BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #6 – What Does Pet Industry Licensing Look Like?

BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #6 – What Does Pet Industry Licensing Look Like?

What Does Pet Industry Licensing Look Like? Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on What Does Pet Industry Licensing Look Like? Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format. Your Moderator: ...
The Art, Science and Ethics of Using Decoy Dogs

The Art, Science and Ethics of Using Decoy Dogs

By Yvette Van Veen  Learning to work with a reactive, anxious or fearful dog is a challenging process. Dog owners especially struggle. They must learn new skills and execute them correctly, while working with a difficult, if not dangerous, dog. In such situations, owners are often robbed of ...
BARKS Podcast with Cynophobia Specialist Stefani Cohen: January 21, 2022

BARKS Podcast with Cynophobia Specialist Stefani Cohen: January 21, 2022

Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther as they Chat and Chuckle with licensed clinical social worker Stefani Cohen, about cynophobia, aka fear of dogs.  Stefani helps dog lovers and dog trainers understand more about the fear of dogs, as well as how to help both others ...
The Rollercoaster of Reactivity

The Rollercoaster of Reactivity

By Mary Jean Alsina Leash reactivity can be one of the most common (and embarrassing) problems dog owners deal with on a daily basis. It is also one of the most requested behavioral issues I work on with clients. Disapproving glances from passersby, the constant feeling of being out of ...
BARKS Podcast with Dr. Karen Becker, Author of ‘The Forever Dog’: January 14, 2022

BARKS Podcast with Dr. Karen Becker, Author of ‘The Forever Dog’: January 14, 2022

Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther for a very special Chat and Chuckle with Dr. Karen Becker. Dr. Becker is discussing her New York Times bestseller, The Forever Dog - Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier, and Longer!, co-authored ...
The Art and Science of Consent Testing

The Art and Science of Consent Testing

By Angelica Steinker Consent testing is the process of observing a dog’s body language to see if he is fine with whatever environmental change has been presented to him. It can be used informally or formally. Informal use would be during play or social interactions, when two dogs or a dog ...