Best of Dog Behavior and Training

Marco Reggi / Stocksy All dogs have a great capacity to learn, perform tricks, and, of course, convince you they deserve another treat. A “smart dog,” however, is often thought of as a dog who is highly trainable. But according to dog trainer and behaviorist Karen London, Ph.D., a dog’s intelligence can be measured in many […]

By Savannah Admire Jimena Roquero / Stocksy If you’ve spent much time with a dog, you likely already know how soothing their presence can be. Research has shown that animals can have a therapeutic effect on people who are stressed, anxious, or suffering from conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapy dogs are dogs who […]

By Julie Zeilinger Samantha Gehrmann / Stocksy It’s a thought many pet parents of older dogs have: Should I adopt a puppy for my dog? It’s a well-meaning and valid question, but one that should be carefully considered. While bringing home a young dog or puppy might “liven up” your older dog and help them […]

Gustavo Fring / Pexels If you’re considering adopting a new dog (or just want to go for a walk with a friend and their dog), it’s important to think about how to facilitate a successful first meeting with your dog. A positive introduction can increase the chances that a new relationship will thrive, but pulling […]

By Savannah Admire Irina Polonina /Stocksy Adopting a new dog into your family can be an incredibly exciting experience, and it can be tempting to pull your new pet into a big hug the first time you meet them. But many shelter dogs come from traumatic or difficult backgrounds, and even socialized dogs might not […]

Duet Postscriptum / Stocksy When a new dog moves into your home, it is not at all uncommon for them to feel the need to “raise the yellow flag” and claim their new territory as their own by marking it with some urine. Since many newly adopted dogs are already housebroken, this may just be […]

Samantha Gehrmann / Stocksy If you have a new cat or are planning on adopting one — congratulations! If you already have a dog at home (who, ideally, you already know is good with cats), you’re probably wondering how to best introduce them. The good news is that many dogs and cats get along just […]

Samson Katt / Pexels Separation anxiety in dogs takes many forms and has many different levels of intensity, but one of the most obvious signs is a dog crying, howling, barking, or otherwise vocalizing when left alone. Your canine crooner may not be hurting themself or anyone (or anything!) with this behavior, but unless you […]

Whether you have a Siberian Husky or a five-pound Chihuahua mix, chances are one of your pup’s favorite parts of the day is W-A-L-K time. It’s recommended you walk your dog at least once a day, but with today being National Walk Your Dog Day, right now is a great time to gift your best […]

Given that a well-trained dog can learn to differentiate between, and respond appropriately to, hundreds of commands from her human family, it is only right that we should make an effort to understand what our canine companions are trying to say to us. We all know that a growl is a warning, and a yelp […]