Learning to Dog

11/25/2024

Come learn with with me! Registration is open 🧠

11/25/2024

Come learn about brains and behavior with me!

This is a 5 week course that will be released to view Wednesday, January 29 and live calls will begin each Wednesday after beginning...

11/22/2024

There’s still time to sign up for our Manners for the Holidays class or come have a blast with your dog solving our holiday-themed canine escape room!

Schedule your appointment online Learning to Dog

08/09/2024

For National Book Lovers Day, here’s a few suggestions! There’s two new books I’m currently loving: Puppy Brain by Kerry Nichols is packed with amazing information about puppies and puppy raising and Manage It! by Juliana DeWillems is a book I wish I could give EVERY dog peep. Dog Songs by Mary Oliver is a book I turn to often because it celebrates the unique love that every individual dog brings to our lives. It’s beautiful.

What are your favorites?

08/02/2024

New research on the brains of aging dogs! 🧠 Enrichment activities can protect their brains from age-related changes associated with aging!

New in : aging dogs experience neuron death & brain atrophy, which underlie memory & thinking issues. Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of California, Irvine show that social & cognitive enrichment may improve these outcomes.

Learn more ▶️ https://bit.ly/3A3Pa6Q

07/31/2024

These three kept me REALLY busy this morning at Puppy School!

07/28/2024

We visited the skate park this morning for a little socialization!

We’re still working on getting comfortable in the car (I suspect Inde gets a little motion sickness), so we’re keeping car rides short. The inner ear is still developing in puppies, so motion sickness is not uncommon. We’re lucky to have lots of good places to explore that involve just short little rides!

07/25/2024

Oh I am guilty of ruffling! I work really hard (on my behavior) to quit doing that one!

07/23/2024

I know you know, but dogs are incredible, aren’t they?!

Researchers made volunteers do public speaking and math on the spot, then showed them a calming video. Then, using sweat samples, glass jars and food bowls, they examined the emotional impact on dogs.

07/22/2024

Today is World Brain Day! Brain aging has been a topic in the news lately, so here’s an interesting article on brain aging in dogs!

In a citizen science project, thousands of pet dogs are helping scientists to understand what happens to memory and cognition in old age.

07/18/2024

Lots of puppy parents have questions about how much exercise their puppy should be getting. There’s rarely a straightforward answer that applies to ALL puppies, so I like to look at the science and then make informed decisions. No t discussed in this article is spay/neuter status, but there’s lots of good info here!

Over the years, many breeders, trainers, and owners have said that puppies should not be exercised until the growth plates are closed. I have been asked to radiograph 12-month-old dogs to make sure their growth plates are closed. Recently, a well-regarded colleague told me that he had an owner that....

07/10/2024

Deliberately creating positive experiences rather than *hoping* exposure will work is at the core of our socialization program! We’ve got a drop-in puppy socialization class to help you do this with your puppy! https://learningtodog.com/puppy-classes/

"Why deliberately create positive experiences, rather than let a puppy get used to (habituate to) new people and animals? Habituation is going on all the time. But when it comes to things adult dogs commonly fear (e.g., strangers, other dogs, noises), we need to do better than hope puppies just 'get used to it'."

From the archives, by Kelly Lee of Dogkind LLC.

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/blog/in-defense-of-puppy-socialization/

06/17/2024

We’re well stocked with puzzles, treats, and medication. And we have a rule on July 4th that our dogs must be leashed for potty breaks in our fenced yard (which we don’t usually do). Just in case they get spooked. There’s still time to make a plan to ease your pups through the booms!

The best single thing you can do to help a dog who is afraid of fireworks is to see your veterinarian. Do it now, before the noisy holidays arrive.

06/03/2024

We recently lost our sweet Neechi, suddenly, and our hearts are still broken. The memories we have with him, however, bring us so much comfort.

There are many wonderful resources available to help with the grief. A collection of resources that I think is very good can be found here: https://resources.bestfriends.org/article/grieving-loss-pet-resources-coping

04/11/2024

Waiting is a skill, we as adult humans get frustrated with long queues and wait times.

For our dogs, it’s a skill that needs to be mastered too and we can help support the process by making the waiting just as reinforcing as the going.

04/04/2024

There’s just one spot left in our Introduction to Nosework class! Come be amazed by your dog’s amazing nose!

https://learningtodog.com/nosework/

03/25/2024

Come learn with us this Spring! Call us if you’ve got questions! 919-451-4226

03/21/2024

I don’t know why, but this gives me album cover vibes.