Originally published on ArlNow.com Do you “practice at your performance?” I’ve been talking to a lot of clients about practice lately. People hate practice. Do you remember being forced to practice the piano? What about sports drills? It seems to be in our nature to want to get better at something but to hate the… Read more »
Debunking common dog training myths
Originally published on ArlNow.com Dogs were domesticated at least 15,000 years ago. Today Americans keep about 78 million dogs as pets. 78 MILLION! In all of that time, and with all of those dogs, lots of dog knowledge has been accumulated. As in any field of study, we are constantly learning new things and replacing… Read more »
Dog Training vs. Behavior Modification
Originally published on ArlNow.com I get a lot of inquiries asking how many lessons it will take to solve a certain problem. My answer is always the same: it depends. It depends on: what the problem is how severe the problem is how compliant the owners are, and whether it is a training issue or a… Read more »
Want ‘puppy love’ or to run with the big dogs?
Originally published on ArlNow.com There are several avenues you can use to get a dog. Dogs are available through breeders, rescue groups and animal shelters. All of these options have good dogs available. But before you go to get a dog, you will need to have an idea of what you are looking for. The first… Read more »
Preventing dog bites
Originally published on ArlNow.com There is was again. Another story about a dog attacking a child. This time it was in Texas. A Border Collie. A five year old. In the face. But location, breed and age don’t matter. It happens everywhere, with all breeds of dogs, and all ages of people. What I found amazing… Read more »
Free workshops at Your Dog’s Friend
WOOFS! owner Laura Sharkey and senior trainer Erica Pytlovany are scheduled for talks this fall at Your Dog’s Friend in Rockville Maryland. Come on out — we’d see some of our familiar, friendly faces! Dog Training Myths: the good, the bad and the ugly Saturday, Sept 19, 2:00 – 4:00pm Speaker: Laura Sharkey, KPA CTP… Read more »
How to help the shy or reserved dog
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 »
Carrie Williams certified by CCPDT
We are pleased to announce that WOOFS! trainer Carrie Williams has been awarded CPDT-KA certification through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. CPDT-KA stands for Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed. Applicants must complete 300 hours of client training before trainers are eligible for an extensive semiannual test. Certificants must demonstrate ongoing education… 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 »