Professional Paws Pet Blog
A professional dog trainer’s thoughts on training, animal behavior, pet care and more!
Never Punish Your Dog for Growling
Today while I was working with Tule, something happened. A dog approached us displaying really upfront and excited behaviors and iffy body language. The dog was straining on leash to get to us, and we were in a crowded space. Before I could duck out of the way the owner lets the dog run up to Tule who is now trapped with nowhere to go. Before I could ask the owner to pull their dog back Tule growled and let out a single (but loud) bark. Luckily, the human took the hint and took their dog away, as I apologized. So what was my response as a dog trainer?
5 Pet Training Products I Can’t Live Without
It’s time to talk about dog training tools! Now, dog training as an industry has changed vastly in the past 10 years. Educated trainers are using modern and science proven methods over traditional methods that were used to cause pain and/or instill fear into the canine pupil. With this change in technique also came a change in the types of tools that progressive trainers recommend to their clients and use on their own dogs at home. This is a topic that I often discuss with clients and am asked about on a regular basis by other animal professionals, friends, acquaintances, etc. So much that I have whittled down my list of products that I love to recommend and use personally to only 5 items.
Things Dog Trainers Do That Most Dog Owners Don’t
Have you ever wondered what life is like for my dogs? Ever been curious about how I work with my own dogs, introduce a new cue or skill, or deal with a problem behavior? Well, you aren’t alone! Throughout my career I have noticed that professional dog trainers (like myself) tend to do things a little differently than the majority of dog owners. I wanted to take some time and share a few of the “secrets” that I tend to utilize with my own pets.
Choosing a Quality Breeder
You have made the big decision to add a dog or puppy to your household, and you have decided that purchasing through an ethical, responsible breeder is the way to go for your family. Now what? Now we need to begin the thoughtful process of choosing the breeder we want to be responsible for our new family member’s genetic makeup and early upbringing. This is no small decision, but I have put together some points to help make the decision easier. Remember that not all breeders are created equally.
How to Choose a Pet Sitter
It is National Pet Sitters week and to celebrate I thought I would sure my thoughts on how to choose a qualified pro to provide care for your furry ones in your absence! Spring is just around the corner and warmer weather always encourages travel. Especially as the COVID vaccine becomes readily available and restrictions are slowly lifted, many of us are jonesing even more for a trip to the beach or mountains. But what happens if we can't take our pets with us? Choosing a qualified pet sitting professional can be very difficult, but I've put together a few points to keep in mind so that your beloved Fluffy and Bella receive the best care possible. Other than yours of course!
To Spay or Not to Spay?
In honor of World Spay Day and National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month (AKA Beat the Heat Month) I decided to write up my thoughts on what has become a controversial topic. This blog is only going to entail my personal opinions based on my experiences in animal welfare and as a dog trainer. I will not be discussing any of the medical benefits or possible risks from surgery. Please don’t comment asking about these things or to inform me of a study that has been done. I am not a veterinarian and am not qualified to give medical advice. Period. I urge all of my clients to bring this topic up with your veterinarian so that you can discuss the medical side of altering your pet. However, I am also decidedly pro spay/neuter. All of our pets are fixed and I do tend to encourage owners to spay and neuter their animals. Let me tell you why.
How to Make the Most of Your Pet Training Sessions
So you have decided to take a training class with your dog. Congratulations! You have chosen a trainer, and picked a program that will best benefit your dog and your family. By committing to training your dog you will be on your way to living a more fulfilled and less stressful relationship with your pet. Training our dogs is an extremely necessary and beneficial part of owning a dog. Without training, we aren’t able to communicate effectively, and this strains our relationship and diminishes everyone’s quality of life. This is a huge step, but now what? Once I became a professional dog trainer, I realized that what to do during and in between training sessions wasn’t always common sense, and that these small steps could make a huge difference in the overall success of the training program as well as customer satisfaction. Keep reading to see some ways that you can make the most of your dog training sessions!
How to Choose a Dog Trainer
Dog training is an unregulated industry, which means literally anyone can call themselves a dog trainer. No experience or education is required. This often means that there are a lot of options to choose from in any given area, but not all are created equally. Choosing a qualified trainer is going to set the foundation for your relationship with your dog. How do you know which trainer is going to be the best for your situation? I’ve made a list of some important things to consider when making this important choice.
Considerations to Make Before Adding a Pooch to Your Family
The holiday season is the most common time of the year to adopt a dog or puppy. It is such a festive time, and as humans, we want to share that with another being. Let’s face it, they’re also super cute. Congratulations on deciding to add to your family! But do you know how to decide what type of dog is right for you? There are SO many things to consider! What breed? Rescue or breeder? Puppy or adult? It is important to really think about it because you will be living with this creature for the next 10-20 years. I am here to help.
How to Have Safe Holiday Celebrations with Your Pets
Safety is something that should be on all of our minds right now. We are all struggling to find ways to celebrate the holiday season and also deal with the COVID-19 pandemic raging around us. If you choose to travel, or if loved ones choose to travel to you, there are steps you can take to keep your pets safe. Plus, they’ll put your mind at ease!
4 Healthy Thanksgiving Snacks for Your Pooch
Thanksgiving Day has finally arrived and you know what that means! Yes! Lots of tasty food for us to make and eat together as a family. All too often, our dogs get left out of the holiday celebrations, so I wanted to put together a list of 4 healthy holiday foods that you can share with your furry friend.
Remembering Senna
As the 4th anniversary of his death draws closer, I find myself reflecting a lot on Senna’s life and legacy. Grief is an interesting creature in and of itself. Sometimes it feels as if he never existed. I find myself wanting to say his name out loud, concerned that if I don’t talk about him, his memory will fade. Other times it seems as if it was only yesterday that we chose to humanely end his suffering, and I remember exactly the way his head fit inside my hand as I stroked his face. Senna was my soul mate. My first true love. My teacher. The reason I am a dog trainer. Here is his story.
Halloween Safety Tips
Spooky season is here! If you have met me, then you know that I LOVE fall and Halloween! The weather, the costumes, the horror movies, the candy. I love it all. As much as I love this holiday, this can be a really stressful and scary time for our pets. Here are some ways that you can keep your pet safe and still have fun this Halloween!
Pitbulls: Beyond the Stigma
Many pitbulls tend to have similar physical characteristics and mannerisms. We have all seen a pitbull. One of those blocky headed thicc boys or girls with a big grin and an always wagging tail. However, this type of dog has become extremely controversial here in the US, but they shouldn’t be! Let’s discuss why.