Fear Free Happy Homes
Reading Time: 4 minutes I had barely stepped in the house when the client attempted to hand me her puppy. The puppy was clearly terrified, dangling from the woman’s extended arms. I backpedaled right back out the door, “Please don’t give her to me. She’s afraid. This will just make it worse.” But the client, beaming with new puppy […]
Reading Time: 3 minutes Summer is almost upon us! For most, warmer weather represents a joyous time to be outdoors enjoying nature with friends and family. For some pet owners, however, it signifies the start of thunderstorm season, with resulting anxiety for furry family members. Insights from Fear Free certified professional trainers can help you lessen your pet’s fear, […]
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 […]
Reading Time: 3 minutes When my Lab mix, Rio, was younger, we volunteered as a therapy dog team at a hospital. One evening, a 2-year-old girl with a huge bandage covering one side of her face ran up to Rio and started patting him on the head and trying to hug him. Rio licked the unbandaged side of her […]
Reading Time: 4 minutes Every year, you send out the same holiday cards. Recently, you’ve been getting more photo print cards of entire families and you want to try it out. You need to get everyone to the photography studio, including your cat because, after all, she’s part of your family. You’d love some single shots of kitty, too, […]
Reading Time: 4 minutes Your horse forcefully nudges your jacket pocket. What does he want? Oh, right, you put a handful of peppermint candies in it last night when you were leaving the restaurant. Sniffing them out is a pretty good feat for that long muzzle. While the vision and hearing of horses has been studied thoroughly, the equine […]
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.
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, […]
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 […]
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.