The Dog Trainer

25/01/2021

Why do some birds nap in mid-air? Are blue jays actually blue?

Whether you actively birdwatch or just enjoy the avian friends in your backyard, these 25 fascinating facts from Mental Floss are sure to satisfy your curiosity.

Are you a bird watcher?

Humans are very preoccupied with flight. We've spent decades and billions of dollars refining air travel; we often dream about flying without the aid of technology. It's little wonder many of us find ourselves fascinated with birds, who make the act seem so effortless. We thought we'd ta

15/01/2021

Next time you have to leave the house, keep your dog happy at home with these 5 tips.

Once upon a time, in the perhaps somewhat legendary past, dogs spent their days outdoors, working at their humans’ sides. Cue the theme from “Lassie.” Tips for Leaving Your Dog Home Alone These days, if someone has to leave the house for a reason beside a walk, they have to

16/11/2020

I usually talk about dog behavior (obviously), but every now and then I like to get into cats!

Cats hanging out in sinks is definitely a thing, but why do they do it? Mental Floss explains a few theories about this weird behavior.

Cat owners know the scene well. They enter their bathroom to wash their hands, only to find a giant ball of fur engulfing the sink. Their cat has commandeered the fixture, treating the porcelain like a concave mattress. Why do cats do this? The short answer is similar to what else science knows abo

29/10/2020

You may not be expecting many trick-or-treaters this year, but these tips can keep your dog safe from poisonous candies, aggravating costumes, and more Halloween doggy dangers.

Zombies looking for tasty brains aren’t the only thing that can turn Halloween into a less-than-fun holiday for your dog and you. Hear the scary organ music? Don’t open that cabinet door, Dogalini! The podcast edition of this tip was sponsored by Audible.com.    You can s

26/10/2020

Have you seen your dog running in his sleep? It's certainly adorable, but what's really going on in that brain of his? Mental Floss explains.

Dogs are prone to peculiar behaviors, from digging in their beds to resting a paw on your arm. These quirks even extend to when they’re sleeping, as dogs are liable to move and twitch their legs as though they were dreaming about running. Is that really what’s happening? In very young p

02/10/2020

A garden is a great place to spend time with your dog. Here are six steps to take to make sure your garden is dog-friendly before you let your pooch tiptoe (or rampage) through the tulips.

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/pets/dogs/6-tips-for-creating-a-dog-friendly-garden

18/09/2020

If everybody who uses the bed is comfortable and safe, I have no problem just because one (or more) of you happens to be a dog. Letting your pup share the bed with you will not make her “dominant” or create behavior problems that don’t already exist. It will make your bed hairy and smelly, but if that doesn’t bother you then it doesn’t bother me.

That said, there are 7 instances when your dog shouldn’t share your bed, or at least not share it automatically.

Some clients tell me, with pride, that they never allow their dog on the bed. Some clients tell me, with embarrassment, that their dog sleeps next to them. Some clients tell me, laughing nervously, that when they get into bed with their dog, the dog growls at their approaching spouse. Where does you

14/09/2020

Just like humans (or any living being), dogs require extra care as they get older. Understand how your pet's needs change with age so you can make the best possible life for your canine best friend.

Today, we’ll introduce the most common issues pet parents encounter as their dogs start aging and talk about the most important things to pay attention to in order to make your canine companion’s last years as comfortable as possible. When is a dog considered a senior? When exactly doe

26/08/2020

Odds are, if you're surfing the web to find out what kind of pup you should adopt next, you've run into a lot of misinformation. Find out which four dog myths you should never believe.

A couple of weeks ago I asked my Facebook fans to list their favorite dog myths. Boy, did people have a lot to say! You can’t teach hounds to come when called. A female dog needs to have a litter before she’s spayed. The taste of blood will make your dog aggressive. Golden Retrievers are

24/08/2020

Many popular training guides advise that you punish your dog for showing aggression. Why that’s counterproductive, and what to do instead.

Many of us have had that uh-oh moment when our dog suddenly doesn’t look so friendly. My beloved dog Izzy once growled at me when I came up behind her while she was working on a pig ear. Maybe your dog has growled or snapped while having her nails trimmed, or when startled, or when being pette

29/07/2020

The right medication can relieve suffering and make behavior modification more effective.

Most of the dogs I work with have serious behavior problems. Some are afraid of everybody except the people they live with. Some explode into intense aggression when someone touches them. Some are so terrified at being left alone that their bowels and bladder empty the instant their guardian walks o

22/07/2020

Does your dog lunge and bark at skateboarders, bicyclists, or other dogs? Learn how to manage and improve his behavior, help him control himself, and maybe even solve the underlying problem.

by Jolanta Benal, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA  Way back when, I did an episode about “reactive” dogs – the ones who bark and lunge when they see another dog, or when a skateboarder or bicyclist goes by, or when, say, some guy with a hat and dark glasses suddenly appears from arou

09/07/2020

Today, perhaps the most important task for dogs is keeping us humans company. There are loads of health benefits to adopting a dog, especially if you’re aging. Read on to learn more about 'em!

Through selective breeding over the course of thousands of years, dog breeds have evolved to meet the needs of humans. Shepherds helped herd sheep, terriers kept the farm clear of mice, and Tibetan Mastiffs protected monks from threats at Monasteries. Centuries of thoughtful, selective breeding has

02/07/2020

Want to bring your dog to an Independence Day celebration, but worried the fireworks and crowds will scare him off? Here's a few tips to bring your dog, or not, whatever you prefer.

Everyone loves the start of summer, and what better way to jumpstart the season’s fun than to join in the upcoming Independence Day celebration? Fireworks, food, friends and family: the 4th of July offers something for everyone—everyone that is, minus the dog. Unlike kids who can compre

30/06/2020

Like many of us, I grew up with cats, and so I always thought I knew all there was to know about them, but as an adult I learned I was wrong, wrong, wrong. Here are some facts about cat body language and behavior that might just be new to you.

As longtime readers and listeners know, The Dog Trainer steps out with other species from time to time, notably that other species our dogs and us often live with. No, I don’t mean our spouses! I mean cats. Like many of us, I grew up with cats, and so I always thought I knew all ther

23/06/2020

When the summer heat rolls in, it can feel too hot or humid for anyone to go outside--that includes Dogalini! So how are you supposed to get him entertained?

First, let's get a few juicy tidbits out of the way: We All Suffer! Dogs don’t like the heat any more than you do. Activity Peaks Dogs are most active in the early morning, before the sun crests the horizon, and in the evening: in science speak, they are crepuscular.   AC Cools

22/06/2020

Almost all trainers think that when you’re using food rewards, it’s best to start with a hungry dog. But a new study suggests that isn’t always true.

Like every other dog trainer on the planet who uses food rewards, I tell my clients that they can teach most effectively if their dog is a little hungry. Train right before mealtimes, I say, or go ahead and use your dog’s whole meal, in bits and pieces, for food rewards. Scientists conductin

10/06/2020

It only takes 6 steps to get your pup to sit!

Parents everywhere teach their kids good manners. Kids learn to say please when they want something and to wait patiently for help. Kids who learn these things get recognition; they're more fun to hang out with or take on outings. Dogs can learn good manners too. Good dogs sit to say please, an