Ever wondered how to train a dog to respond well to hand signals? If you’re anything like me—knee-deep in the dog hair and loving every minute of it—you already know that dogs don’t always need words to understand us. In fact, many of the therapy dogs I’ve trained over the years actually respond better to…
Let’s talk about something that’s all too familiar for many of us dog lovers — that late-night barking frenzy. You know what I’m talking about. You’re finally drifting off, and suddenly your pup goes full-on alarm system mode at the sound of a raccoon rustling in the bushes. Yep, we’re diving into how to train…
Bringing a new dog into your home is an exciting adventure, but with that excitement comes responsibility, especially when it comes to house training. As a veterinary technician specializing in nutrition, I’ve seen firsthand how important early training is for a dog’s well-being and your peace of mind. It’s one of the first things we…
If you’ve ever found yourself repeating the phrase “Go to your crate” only for your dog to stare blankly back at you (or worse, run the other way), you’re definitely not alone. I’ve been there too—muddy paw prints on the couch and all. In my years working as a Canine-Assisted Therapy Trainer, one of the…
Teaching a dog to be okay with being alone is one of those things that seems simple—until you’re staring into a pair of sad puppy eyes or hearing howls echoing through the neighborhood the moment you leave. If you’ve ever wondered how to teach a dog to tolerate being alone, trust me, you’re not the…
If you’re a dog owner, especially one with a lush garden or a few carefully cultivated plants, you’ve probably faced the frustrating issue of your dog chewing on your garden plants. It might seem like your dog is doing it just to annoy you, but in reality, dogs chew for many different reasons: boredom, stress,…
If you’ve ever wondered how to train a dog to follow commands from multiple people, you’re definitely not alone. Back when I first started working as a Canine-Assisted Therapy Trainer, I had to tackle this exact challenge with therapy dogs being handled by various people—volunteers, therapists, even the occasional curious family member. It didn’t take…
Training your dog to use a designated potty spot outside can be a life-changing experience for both you and your furry companion. As a Canine-Assisted Therapy Trainer with years of experience, I’ve seen the benefits of consistent, positive reinforcement when it comes to potty training. Whether you’re dealing with a puppy or an adult dog,…
If you’re anything like me—someone who’s worked as a Veterinary Technician/Nurse with a special focus on nutrition—you’ve probably heard it a hundred times: “How do I stop my dog from barking at the doorbell?” It’s one of the most common questions pet parents bring up during consults, and I totally get it. There’s something about…