Talk to the Paw

08/13/2026

08/02/2026

Twice this week I have received emails requesting more information about my dog training that left me a little concerned. I always answer and suggest a pro bono 15 minute phone call. But these two were very complimentary, overly so, and when they answered me about the phone call, they asked for zoom instead. The first one I lucked out...they were 10 minutes late before I decided to decline and let them know that. I also could not find anything about them online. The second was very similar in tone, and I cannot find anyone in this town, with "small children" by that name. So, I went online and found this:

"Zoom scams often involve fake meeting invitations that, when clicked, can download malware onto your device. Always verify the sender and create your own meeting links instead of clicking on links from unknown sources."

07/21/2026

Let's all get on board for legislation banning aversive equipment on dogs! (Or any animal for that matter!)

Global Ban on Aversive Dog Training Tools and Methods.

07/19/2026

For years the phrase "socialize your puppy" was the mantra in all training circles. Then if you didn't (or did but it didn't help) you as the guardian were found at fault. But what if we were perceiving that wrong? This is a great reminder of what is actually meant by "socialize" your dog!

Socialisation has a big problem.
Somewhere along the way the meaning drifted.

Meet everyone.
Play with every dog and meet every puppy.
Go everywhere.
Interact with everything.
Say yes toto it all.

It all sounds like good advice.

But for many puppies, and plenty of adult dogs too, it can become exactly what you never wanted.
A dog that struggles with confidence because their world was never allowed to feel predictable or safe.

Real “socialisation” isn't about collecting experiences.
It's about creating good ones.

It's about helping your dog learn they can observe without interacting.

That they don't have to greet every person.
They don't have to play with every dog.
They don't have to cope with everything all at once.

It's about acclimation.
Emotional safety.
Thoughtful and gradual exposure.

Not simply exposure because you have to tick off that puppy checklist..

Maybe it's time we stopped using the word "socialisation."

Because somewhere along the way, many people stopped hearing what it was always supposed to mean.

07/18/2026

Food for thought!

Dr. Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, joins Dr. Andy Roark to tackle a problem every clinic knows too well, stressed pets, stressed owners, and appointments that start going sideways before the car even leaves the driveway. They dig into pre-visit pharmaceuticals beyond the usual gabapentin and trazodone, i