Pet Harmony

Pet Harmony Helping you and your pet live a happier, healthier life with in-home and online behavior training. https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/

Our world-renowned team tackles issues from jumping, counter surfing, and chewing to serious concerns like aggression, anxiety, fear, and compulsions. Helping you and your pet live a happier, healthier, and more harmonious life through in-home and online pet behavior training services. Our world-renowned team specializes in behavior issues, ranging from the annoying like jumping on guests, counter

surfing, and inappropriate chewing to the scary and serious, like aggression, anxiety, fear, and compulsions.

Figuring out what to do with one dog can be challenging, but trying to come up with enrichment opportunities for multipl...
21/12/2024

Figuring out what to do with one dog can be challenging, but trying to come up with enrichment opportunities for multiple dogs can end up being exhausting.

Especially if you have dogs with any combination of resource guarding behaviors, health issues, different dietary restrictions–the list goes on and on.

Here are a few tips on how to provide enrichment for multiple dogs in the same household without it feeling like a second job!

Last week, we explored strategies for tracking data to support behavior modification and training. This week, Consultant...
20/12/2024

Last week, we explored strategies for tracking data to support behavior modification and training. This week, Consultant Taylor dives into journaling and note-taking tips!

Taylor showcases a variety of visual examples, highlighting creative journaling techniques and practical tools to enhance your practice. Don’t miss out—it’s a must-read! Check it out here:

Last week we talked about strategies for tracking data and finding methods that work for you. This week we’ll introduce some complimentary practices that may even unleash some creativity!

We know it's tough to not have your pet join in on the festivities, but it's important to put their health and happiness...
19/12/2024

We know it's tough to not have your pet join in on the festivities, but it's important to put their health and happiness first.

Leaving your pet out of certain activities, when it's what's best for them, is a responsible and caring choice. It shows that you care more about their well-being than feeling the need to include them in everything you do!

We often say that what works for one dog may not work for another, so we’re hesitant to recommend activities without fir...
18/12/2024

We often say that what works for one dog may not work for another, so we’re hesitant to recommend activities without first getting to know your dog. That said, there are a few activities our team frequently suggests to clients!

Here are some of our favorite dog enrichment activities:
🐾 Food Puzzles - Because it can be used for a variety of reasons such as foraging, scent work, problem solving, etc.

🐾 Teach Start & Stop Button Behaviors - Start and stop button behaviors are a way for your dog to opt in and out of activities. Usually, we teach these types of behaviors in relation to cooperative care!

🐾 Flight Training - This is our term for teaching a dog to move away from something that they find stressful. It’s great to have a cue already on board for when that happens so that you can help them safely navigate that situation!

🐾 Happy Vet Visits - Happy vet visits involve going to the vet for the sole purpose of building a positive emotional response to the clinic. It shows your pet that fun stuff can happen the vet and not always painful, scary stuff.

🐾 Set up a Safe Space - Everyone deserves a place where they feel safe, regardless of species! We typically see that each individual has some particular preferences around their safe space.

🐾 Preference Tests - Each pup has their own preferences and so a great enrichment activity is to figure out what those preferences are! A couple of preference tests that we frequently recommend to our clients include food preference tests and sound preference tests.

🐾 Scent Work - This activity has some pretty cool effects on their brain, including stress reduction. Snuffle mats, nise work, and “find it” are some of our favorite options.

🐾 Free Time - Let your dog have free time to do whatever they want! For some kiddos that might mean a nap. For my dog, Oso, it usually means hanging out in the yard and just being a dog.

Out of this list, which enrichment activity is new for you and your dog? Let us know!

P.S. Don't forget to observe the OUTCOMES of the activity to decide if it's truly enriching for your pet!

Fun gift ideas for all pet lovers (including yourself!)🎁 Personalized Pet Portraits: Get a special drawing or picture of...
14/12/2024

Fun gift ideas for all pet lovers (including yourself!)

🎁 Personalized Pet Portraits: Get a special drawing or picture of their pet.

🎁 Charitable Gesture: Make a donation to their preferred animal welfare organization in their name!

🎁 Gifts for their pet: Always a fun idea because what makes our pets happy makes us happy, right? If you're not sure what their pet likes, just ask. Also, check for any food allergies if you're getting treats!

🎁 And obviously, our books: Canine Enrichment For The Real World Book + Workbook! Lots of pet parents have told us it helped make their pet's life better so we had to recommend it, even if we didn't write it 😉

What are some of your gift ideas? Let us know in the comments!

We give you permission to comfort your dog when they're having a hard time. Comfort can look different depending on what...
14/12/2024

We give you permission to comfort your dog when they're having a hard time.

Comfort can look different depending on what your dog needs in the moment.

For some dogs, it might mean creating a barrier between them and whatever is causing fear, like blocking out loud noises or unfamiliar people.

For others, it might look like offering an escape route, giving them a safe way to retreat and calm down.

It can also be as simple as sitting next to them and offering gentle petting, or providing a quiet, cozy space where they feel protected. Sometimes, it’s just offering a warm lap to sit on for a sense of security.

And remember: comforting your dog won’t reinforce their fear! You’re helping them feel safe, supported, and more confident as they cope with what’s bothering them.

What are some ways your dog likes to be comforted?

Did you know? Becoming fluent in ways to collect data for our pets' well-being (and our own!) can help us look back more...
13/12/2024

Did you know? Becoming fluent in ways to collect data for our pets' well-being (and our own!) can help us look back more objectively about what has all changed over the last year. Be sure to check out this week’s blog for tips and tricks on collecting data and finding value in journaling!

Read it here:

Behavior change is hard enough without adding in another piece of homework like data tracking. There are so many factors and contributors to behavior... So how do we collect information in a way that is helpful and manageable to our behavior change journey?

Let's take a moment to think about the unrealistic expectations we put on our pets. While some pets may tolerate certain...
12/12/2024

Let's take a moment to think about the unrealistic expectations we put on our pets. While some pets may tolerate certain festive activities, most would likely prefer to sit them out. From crowded gatherings to loud noises, the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday season can be overwhelming for our pets.

It's important to remember that pets have their own preferences and comfort levels. Just because we enjoy certain aspects of the holidays doesn't mean they do!

When we acknowledge that our pets might not share our enthusiasm for every festive tradition, we can make more thoughtful choices.

By recognizing their needs and stressors, we can take proactive steps to ensure their well-being. This might mean giving them a quiet space to retreat to, adjusting plans to avoid overwhelming them, or simply letting them opt-out of certain activities.

At the end of the day, the holidays are about celebrating with loved ones—including our pets. Let's make sure we're considering their needs and comfort, so we can all enjoy a safe and stress-free season together!

Share this post if you agree!

Dogs can experience anxiety for a variety of reasons, and while every case is unique, here are three common sources we'v...
11/12/2024

Dogs can experience anxiety for a variety of reasons, and while every case is unique, here are three common sources we've observed: separation anxiety, sound sensitivity, and sudden changes in their environment. These examples highlight how different stressors can manifest in distinct ways.

When working with clients, we don’t jump straight into training. Instead, we start by identifying the root causes of the anxiety. Understanding your dog’s specific triggers is critical for creating a tailored plan that effectively manages their stress and promotes long-term well-being.

If your dog’s anxiety is escalating, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We offer both virtual and in-person consultations in Chicago to help you and your dog. Check out our training packages here: https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/

If you have never lived with an older dog before, this week's blog is all about how you can help your aging best friend ...
08/12/2024

If you have never lived with an older dog before, this week's blog is all about how you can help your aging best friend and what you can expect in this next chapter of life! Check it out here:

I hope by my sharing these simple yet effective strategies, you can start to modify your own home environment to better suit your geriatric pet’s needs. Even if you don’t currently share your life with a more “seasoned” pup, it is never too early to start preparing for the inevitable day whe...

While we humans enjoy the fun, gifts, and relaxation, our pets might not feel the same way!By taking a moment to see thi...
07/12/2024

While we humans enjoy the fun, gifts, and relaxation, our pets might not feel the same way!

By taking a moment to see things from our pets' POV, we can start to notice what makes them stressed or overwhelmed.

When we understand what they’re feeling, we can create an environment that works for them - keeping them safe and making sure they can enjoy the holidays right alongside us! Do you agree?

We wanted to provide you with a quick guide to help you better understand dog anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is extremely comp...
06/12/2024

We wanted to provide you with a quick guide to help you better understand dog anxiety. Anxiety in dogs is extremely complex, with different types and triggers, and we hope this guide will help you better recognize and navigate these challenges.

Managing dog anxiety is a long-term journey that requires patience and understanding. If you ever feel the need for support or guidance, don't hesitate to reach out to our team. We’re here to help! Whether virtually or within the Chicagoland area. We’re committed to supporting you and your dog every step of the way.

P.S. Check out this blog post if you want to learn more about dog anxiety: https://petharmonytraining.com/do-dogs-grow-out-of-anxiety/

If your pet is nervous around strangers, meeting new people can make them feel scared or anxious.This might cause behavi...
05/12/2024

If your pet is nervous around strangers, meeting new people can make them feel scared or anxious.

This might cause behaviors that upset both you and your guests, like barking, growling, or even reacting aggressively because they’re afraid.

Keeping your pet in a separate space can help everyone, including your pet, have a more enjoyable time!

Resource guarding is a natural behavior, but sometimes it can cause problems or create unnecessary tension. If you live ...
04/12/2024

Resource guarding is a natural behavior, but sometimes it can cause problems or create unnecessary tension. If you live with multiple pets, you're already managing their various needs, and dealing with conflicts over food, toys, or other resources can add to the stress.

Maybe you've searched online for solutions, but with so much advice out there, some of it might actually make things worse. Let’s break down five common mistakes people make when dealing with resource guarding in multi-pet households and explore better ways to handle it!

As always, resource guarding can be a delicate and complex issue, and it’s important to approach it carefully to ensure the safety and well-being of all your pets.

While some solutions might seem straightforward, every situation is unique, and professional guidance can make all the difference.

Our team is here to help! We offer virtual consultations and in-person sessions for those in the Chicagoland area. Don’t hesitate to reach out - we’d love to support you and your pets on the path to a more harmonious household!

👉 https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/

A lot of our clients share that their pets keep them up at night, so you're not alone if you're also dealing with this i...
01/12/2024

A lot of our clients share that their pets keep them up at night, so you're not alone if you're also dealing with this issue! Sleep is a fundamental need for ALL species, and when you're sleep deprived, it can leave you feeling cranky and strain your bond with your pet. Nobody wants that to happen!

Take a look at these five common reasons for nighttime disruptions and let us know if you have any questions or need further help!

Our blog this week talks about how to navigate and communicate to resolve conflicts–not with our pets, but with our part...
30/11/2024

Our blog this week talks about how to navigate and communicate to resolve conflicts–not with our pets, but with our partners! It is so important to be able to communicate clearly with one another (even if we’re at odds about how to exercise the dog or decide who cleans the cat litter today). At least with our partners we can for the most part talk it through!

Read the blog here:

One of the most common things I have been told throughout my career is that my dog should do [x] behavior- well, because they should! What I was not expecting was the number of clients that apply the same metric to their friends and family, pet-related or not...

If your pet could understand your words, what’s something you’d say to express how grateful you are for them?
28/11/2024

If your pet could understand your words, what’s something you’d say to express how grateful you are for them?

Right now is a great time to get ahead of the holiday season! Starting some training and preference tests can help prepa...
27/11/2024

Right now is a great time to get ahead of the holiday season! Starting some training and preference tests can help prepare everyone for a fun and festive season. Some questions to help you get started:

💭 What enrichment activities does my pet engage with? What is their favorite/least favorite? For example: Frozen chews, long term chews, food puzzles, snuffle mats, etc.

💭 What management can I prepare for my pet for now? For example: separation using a baby gate or barrier, crates, carrier acclimation, etc.

💭 What skills could I help communicate with my pet what they can do when stressed? For example: Flight Cue training, Settle on Mat/Place, Recall, etc.

If you’re hitting a wall or wondering what methods may be best for you and your dog, consider scheduling a session with one of our consultants to go over more details and get your pet party planning in place! Details to our services can be found here: https://petharmonytraining.com/services/clients/

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pet Harmony posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pet Harmony:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share