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Dogs Training & Grooming

Shorter Nails, Less Stress. How to Use a Scratchboard

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes My first dog as an adult was a Shetland Sheepdog named Sundance. I was determined to do everything right with Sundance, without the dependable net of my parents, who had done all the work with our dogs when I was growing up. I was going to love her, train her, and take care of her. […]

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Dogs Training & Grooming Veterinary Care

Give It a Chin Rest

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes I had just started a private training lesson when I noticed the little Poodle’s right eye was swollen, with yellow-greenish goop gathering in the corner and seeping down the side of his nose. He kept winking at me, clearly uncomfortable. “Has Buddy seen your veterinarian?” I asked. “Poor guy, his eye looks awful!” “I just […]

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Dogs New Pets

Size Matters! How to Safely Introduce Big and Little Dogs

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes My 80-pound Labrador, Logan, was quivering in excitement to meet his new little brother. “Little” was not an exaggeration. My new Papillon puppy, Finian, weighed a scant 1.2 pounds. Was the size difference between the two a big deal? Yes! Planning ahead, I had prepared everything for a safe, positive introduction. I sat on the […]

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Dogs Training & Grooming

Help! My Dog Doesn’t Play Well With Others

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes “I don’t understand why my dog is so aggressive toward other dogs when she’s on leash. When she’s off leash, she’s great with other dogs!” my client said. “When does she get to interact with other dogs off leash?” I asked. “We go to the dog park at least four times a week,” the client […]

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Dogs Life at Home Training & Grooming

Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog, Therapy Dog: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes Emotional Support, Therapy, Service. Each is a different type of job a dog can have. Can you guess which label fits each dog?

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Dogs Life at Home New Pets

Bringing Home a New Puppy? Ways to Lose the Stress, Add Success

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes Your new puppy’s first few days can have a big impact on the rest of your lives together.

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Dogs Fears & Anxieties Training & Grooming

The Snarling Side of Fear

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes “CAN HE HAVE CHICKEN?” I yelled, projecting over the commotion of the terrier barking and growling at me. He was safely behind a baby gate, something I had arranged ahead of time with my client. This was our first meeting. “SURE!” the client yelled back. I tossed a piece of freeze-dried chicken over the baby […]

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Life at Home Senior Pets

The Guilt in Goodbye

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Reading Time: 3 minutes The last year of my cat’s life was a nightmare rollercoaster. Sebastian was battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. He lost his appetite, and I became obsessed with feeding him. I tried every brand of food, cooked for him, and checked his food bowl a dozen times daily to monitor how much he was eating. Finally, […]

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Activities & Enrichment Dogs Travel & Safety

5 Signs You Need to Leave the Dog Park

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Reading Time: 3 minutes Bring up the subject of dog parks to a group of dog trainers and watch their heads explode. You’ll get a slew of opinions, most unfavorable. While I confess I have occasionally rolled my eyes at the topic, I don’t hate dog parks. They can be a good place for some dogs to run off […]

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Dogs Fears & Anxieties Training & Grooming

Monster Alert! Helping Your Dog Overcome Fear of the Vacuum Cleaner

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes “The monster must DIE!” At least, that’s what I imagined the Chow mix was thinking as she launched herself at the vacuum cleaner, growling and snapping as if she were taking on a zombie horde. I cued the owner to shut off the machine. “You’re right,” I nodded. “She hates the vacuum cleaner.” Now that […]