Categories
Training & Grooming Veterinary Care

Chin Rest Challenge: How to Use This Cooperative Care Behavior

Article

dog resting chin

Reading Time: 4 minutes The concept of cooperative care is a simple one: teach pets behaviors that will allow them to willingly participate in their own health and grooming care. When they do, brushing and combing, injections, pill-giving and more are easier on everyone—especially your dog. The chin rest is one such behavior and it has many applications. Here’s […]

Categories
Dogs Training & Grooming

Headed to the Groomer? You’ve Got Homework

Article

Reading Time: 5 minutes I get about three similar calls a week. Sometimes, callers are a bit coy. “My groomer said my dog was … er, um … well, we could use some help training him to behave.” Other times, they’re up front, “My groomer gave me your number. She said my dog tried to bite her when she […]

Categories
Cats Dogs Training & Grooming Travel & Safety

Help Pets Adapt to Hearing Loss

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes Growing up, we had the cutest little black-and-white Shih Tzu named Caterpillar. He was good-natured and playful, pulling toilet paper from the roll until it unraveled and climbing on top of our board games so he could become the center of attention. As he aged, Caterpillar gradually began to lose his hearing. It was difficult […]

Categories
Dogs Training & Grooming

Gray Muzzles Make Great Students

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes My first night of dog training classes is just for the human end of the leash. I want to make sure the people are on board and ready before we introduce dogs into the equation. After a successful registration night, I was going over paperwork when I spotted something out of the ordinary. “This dog […]

Categories
Dogs Training & Grooming

There’s No Place Like…Place

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes The doorbell rang. “Rosie, Place!” I called out. Four pounds of Yorkshire Terrier energy bolted across the home office, dashed into my open bedroom door, then pivoted around to face me. Her little nubby tail wagged furiously. “Yes!” I marked, tossing a treat into the bedroom. Rosie ran to inhale it, then dashed back to […]

Categories
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. […]

Categories
Cats Dogs Life at Home New Pets Training & Grooming

Helping Cats and Dogs Live Together Safely

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes The phrase “fighting like cats and dogs” isn’t really accurate. In our experience, cats and dogs can become best friends–if they’re introduced properly. This handout provides guidelines on ways to set up your household to facilitate introductions, keep cats safe during the meet-and-greet, avoid mistakes, and ensure that everyone gets their fair share of attention.

Categories
Dogs Life at Home New Pets Training & Grooming

Potty-Training Your Puppy

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes It’s job number one (and number two) for new puppies: Learning where to “go potty.” It might seem difficult, but we have three magic tips that will ensure a winning training program for both of you: consistency, scheduling, and praise. In our handout, we offer advice on how to set up a routine, avoid mistakes, […]

Categories
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 […]

Categories
Cats Life at Home Training & Grooming

Keeping Your Cat Off the Counter or Table

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes It’s a never-ending conflict: Your cat jumps onto the kitchen counter or dining room table, you tell her to get off, and she ignores you. It doesn’t have to be that way. In our handout, we explain why cats are attracted to these areas and the best ways to “purr-suade” them to perch elsewhere.