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LEARNING FROM SCENT DETECTION EXPERTS This past week Deja and I journeyed off to the sunny climes of Crystal River, Florida in search of adventure!  And odor...  By this I mean we attended the Pet Professional Guild’s 3 Day Scent and Scent-ability workshop! Expert...

WHAT IS CLICKER TRAINING? Clicker training uses a little noise maker to give your dog instant, specific feedback about what behavior you want them to do more often.  Similar methods are used in the training of marine animals where trainers commonly use a whistle...

ANXIETY & HYPER AROUSAL IN DOGS All dogs experience anxiety or stress regularly.  It’s what motivates them to find shelter, food, social contact, avoid pain, and learn new things.  This is normal adaptive stress that presents circumstantially and...

WHY WON'T MY DOG COME WHEN I CALL? A good recall can truly be a life saver yet it's one of the cues that owners struggle with the most.  Do you always do as you're told?  Why not? An honest answer to that question can unravel the mysteries behind why dogs ignore their...

You know your puppy needs socialized but did you know there’s a right and wrong way to do this?

WHAT IS HAND TARGETING? A 'hand target' is a cue to get your dog intentionally touch part of his body (usually the nose) to your hand.  It is a useful foundation for future behaviors.  Hand targeting gives your dog a consistent and positive way to...

George the bernadoodle checking in happily with his mom as they practice public access work outside of Scheels.

Members of older generations often lament the waywardness of today’s youth. They say things like ‘I had to cut my own switch as a child’ or ‘My father would have tanned my hide!’ The belief persists that a child raised without physical consequences to undesirable behavior somehow leaves children unable to function within standards of society. People claim, ‘I was spanked and I turned out just fine!’ Did you though?

When I posted a picture of our 'Shop Dog' Serendipittie to our facebook page barely a week ago I had no idea that we would be saying goodbye to her desperately sweet soul such a short time later.  At only 11 years old I was confident that we still had years together. ...

‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!’ -said no person or pet who has ever suffered from any sort of anxiety. With only one down and two holidays remaining, it’s going to be a little while before things settle down. As our routines change, holidays can be a...