Originally published on ArlNow.com I found myself talking to a lot of people with shy and reserved dogs this week. I was repeating the same advice over and over again so I thought I would share it here. Shy and reserved dogs will exhibit similar behaviors. They may back away, duck out from under an attempt… Read more »
Trick Dog Titles
Originally published on ArlNow.com Teaching tricks is great for dogs. It provides them with both mental and physical stimulation and helps create a stronger working relationship between the dog and the handler. One of the best ways to help your dog perform basic obedience skills better is to spend some time teaching trick behaviors. We know… Read more »
Walking with a dog-reactive dog
Originally published on ArlNow.com Some dogs react to the presence of specific stimuli with aggressive barking and lunging. When a dog does this specifically in the presence of other dogs, we call it dog reactivity. There are many reasons why a dog might be reactive. Fear, a lack of early socialization or a traumatic event are… Read more »
Is your dog overweight?
Originally published on ArlNow.com More than half of the dogs in the U.S. are overweight. Much like with people, it is a result of too much processed food, large portion sizes, and just plain overeating. What amazes me the most about this epidemic is the number of dog owners who simply do not know that their… Read more »
When a dog bites “out of the blue”
Originally published on ArlNow.com When it comes to aggression, trainers often hear the same thing. “Rover bit me out of the blue,” or “Fluffy growled at my son and never gave any other indications he was uncomfortable.” Both of these situations are highly unlikely since dogs very rarely do things without prior warning signs. More likely,… Read more »
Sports and activities to do with your dog
Originally published on ArlNow.com Spring is just around the corner. Really. And spring is a great time to get involved in a sport with your dog. Dog sports continue to grow in popularity for several reasons. First, it’s a great way to advance your dog’s training. No matter what activity you choose, your dog’s training will… Read more »
Surviving your dog’s adolescence
Originally published on ArlNow.com Much like in humans, your dog will go through an adolescent phase and this period can be fraught with difficulty. Dogs will enter their adolescent period at around 6 months old, and exit between 18 months and 2 years of age. Smaller dogs tend to mature more quickly, larger dogs more slowly.… Read more »
What you should really be teaching your puppy
Originally published on ArlNow.com Whenever someone gets a new puppy or dog, they are often eager to teach “the basics.” So everyone starts in on the same things; sit, lie down, shake, stay in front of the food bowl, etc. While these are all valuable skills for your new puppy or dog to know, they… Read more »
January is Train Your Dog Month
Originally published on ArlNow.com The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) is hosting the 5th annual “Train Your Dog Month” in January 2015. The goal is to encourage people to work with their dogs and this years focus is on basic training. Is there something you never got around to training, like a nice stay… Read more »
Boarding your dog
Originally published on ArlNow.com Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the busiest travel times in the United States, and inevitably people with dogs need to find someone to take care of Fido while they are out of town. If you can’t take your dog with you, the next best option is to have a family… Read more »
Surviving the holidays
Originally published on ArlNow.com The holidays are a great time for feast and family, but we all know sometimes having visitors can be stressful. The last thing you need is conflict between your dogs and your guests. Here are some tips to keep everyone happy. Exercise: Schedule extra exercise time for the dog BEFORE your… Read more »
I don’t like dogs, what should I do?
Originally published on ArlNow.com This is the dog article for people who don’t like dogs, or are afraid of dogs, or just don’t want to be bothered by a dog at the moment. If you live in greater Arlington, which is very dog-friendly, navigating a walk to the Metro without coming into contact with a… Read more »