One of the most important skills a dog can learn is how to walk nicely on leash – but I notice that it’s a skill few dogs have! Leash training is probably the most difficult part of training a puppy, but it tends to be the part that many people spend the LEAST amount of time on. Here are some common leash training mistakes, and how to fix them. Moving too fast – When they get a new puppy, many people can’t wait to start taking their dog everywhere with them, going for long

I’m not a fan of leaving dogs outside unattended or giving them the freedom to go in and out as they please. It provides too much freedom and the opportunity for bad habits to set in. Dogs that are left outside unattended on a regular basis are more likely to dig and bark excessively. They are also more likely to become over-frustrated and over-stimulated because backyard time is usually substituted for real walks and exercise. Letting your dog out in the backyard IS NOT

Adequate exercise is the cornerstone of a well-behaved dog, we all know that. For many owners, however, this is easier said than done. Here are five fun ways that you can give your dog a good workout when you're short on time. 1. Play the Recall Game - This game can be played with only person or the whole family. In addition to getting your dog running around, it also has the hidden benefit of perfecting your dog's recall. For one person + dog - put Scooby in a sit/stay

St. Petersburg is a very dog friendly city, and it offers a ton of fantastic options for walking and exercising your dog. Here are a few of my favorites! 1. Fort De Soto Dog Beach: A day at the beach will give most dogs a ton of fun and a huge energy drain - it's a win-win for both of you. This dog beach is not only beautiful but also well kept and clean. There is an on-leash dog park here, but dogs are allowed to play off leash on the beach. How about an afternoon swim

The holidays are upon us and lots of fun is in store, but the holidays can pose some unique dangers to our canine counterparts. Here are some safety tips to ensure that your dog stays happy, healthy and safe this Halloween. 1. Keep her secure. Halloween typically involves lots of doors opening and closing, which creates the perfect opportunity for canine escape artists to flee the coup. The number of lost dogs tends to spike around holidays such as Halloween, so please ta

Are you feeling restless? Do you need more fun in your life? Do you feel like you're losing that spark that you once had? When was the last time you laughed together...REALLY laughed together? I'm talking about you and your dog, of course! Daily play time is essential for your dog, but it doesn't have to be boring for you. Hide-&-go seek is one of my all time favorite games to play with dogs...and here's why! 1. It helps cultivate a killer Sit-stay. This game involves p

Here are 10 things that you can do to help your dog achieve optimal health and improve behavior. 1. Double your exercise. Whatever the amount of exercise your dog is currently getting - double it! Exercise is one of the best ways to improve behavioral issues and keep your dog healthy and active. Go for a long hike, play a game of frisbee or take a run, just get 'em moving! 2. Improve nutrition. I highly encourage my clients to read pet food labels carefully, and choose

I was exercising a client's dog last weekend, enjoying the peaceful morning sun and appreciating the dog's calm, relaxed energy. When all of the sudden, I was rudely jolted from my blissful state by a crazed little Yorkie bounding toward us at full speed, barking like a banshee. Didn't take me long to realize that the poor little guy was contained via the modern day canine torture device known as the electric fence. This highly over-stimulated pooch would race toward the e

Over the weekend, I met with a new client whose recently adopted Terrier mix is terrior-izing (haha new word) her two cats. His high prey drive makes him want to chase anything that wriggles, squiggles, runs or jumps. This can create a lot of stress in a household with more than one animal. Fortunately, there are many ways to work with this drive so that you can bring more peace and harmony into your life and your dog's too. Here are some tips for all you humans with high