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 »
The scoop on dry food
Originally published on ArlNow.com The dog food market has exploded. There is almost an endless variety of dry dog food options, making it more difficult to determine what the best option is for your dog. Here are some tips to help you make an educated decision. Bottom line, do what works – If your dog is healthy… Read more »
Is “people food” okay for dogs?
Originally published on ArlNow.com We often here people say, “I NEVER give my dog people food.” This surprises me because I do almost all of my dog training using “people food”as treats. My favorites are hot dogs, string cheese and rotisserie chicken. So is it ok to give dogs people food? Of course it is!… Read more »
Should my dog go to daycare?
Originally published on ArlNow.com Many dog owners want their dogs to go to the dog park or attend daycare. Both are great places for dogs to be social, run and play and expend some of that excess energy. Dog owners are often rewarded within a tired and content dog. But as the owner of two… Read more »
What is socialization?
Originally published on ArlNow.com Socialization is the process of positively introducing your puppy to new things so that as they grow into adulthood, they are able to adapt to new situations without fear or anxiety. The most important thing to know is that most puppies are only open to the socialization process between the ages… Read more »