A dog park is a perfect place to bring your pet for some exercise and playtime fun. Your pet gets the opportunity to run around off-leash, and it’s the perfect place for your dog to socialize with other dogs and develop good behavior habits.

However, because it’s a social setting with many other dog owners around, this can sometimes result in an unpleasant experience. Dogs who haven’t been trained, owners who don’t know how to control their dog, and dogs that haven’t been vaccinated, dewormed, or otherwise treated and are a health hazard to other pets.

(more…)He’s your best friend – and he’s quite handsome if you do say so yourself. You think he has what it takes to compete in a dog show, but where do you begin? Here’s everything you need to know to start showing your dog.

(more…)It is so important to teach your kids how to treat a puppy. Puppies learn from the children, right away, if they are going to be sweet, loving dogs, or if they are going to be aggressive dogs. If your child teaches them to be aggressive, they will be. If your child is loving to your dog, the dog will be loving right back. Help your child to teach your puppy how to behave, right from the start.

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To start off on the right foot (and paw!) with your pup, he’ll need to know what you expect from him. This will make him feel secure in his ability to meet the goals laid out for him going forward. The foundation of training should be based on positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is the process of giving a dog (or person!) a reward to encourage the behavior you want to teach your puppy. This is just like getting a paycheck for going to work.

The idea is not to bribe the behavior but to train it using something your dog values. Avoid using punishment such as leash corrections or yelling. Punishment can cause a dog to become confused and unsure about what is being asked of him. It is important to remember that we can’t expect dogs to know what they don’t know – just like you wouldn’t expect a 2-year-old child to know how to tie his shoes. Patience will go a long way in helping your new puppy learn how to behave.

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Has your dog turned your yard into a moonscape with craters everywhere? If so, the first thing you should know is that your dog isn’t doing this out of spite or a desire to destroy your landscaping. Here are some helpful tips to get your dog to stop digging. (more…)

Crate training takes advantage of your dog’s natural instincts as a den animal. A wild dog’s den is their home—a place to sleep, hide from danger and raise a family. The crate becomes your dog’s den, where they can find comfort and solitude while you know they’re safe and secure (and not shredding your house while you’re out running errands).

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The first 30 days of dog adoption in your home are special and critical for a pet. Your new dog will be confused about where he is and what to expect from you. Setting up some clear structure with your family for your dog will be paramount in making as smooth a transition as possible.

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First, we need to make one thing clear. Every dog needs some exercise! How much exercise- that depends on the breed, dog’s temper and individual energy level. Some breeds need a serious training in order to stay in shape or be able to serve their specific purpose and other dogs need just a daily walk. It is important to emphasize that all dogs have a natural instinct for walking and they will always enjoy it.

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Just like young children, puppies use their mouths to explore their world. Unlike young children, they also use their mouths to play, with you or with other pups. As you may already be aware, their teeth are like sharp little needles and a bite or nip from a pup can be pretty painful! Here are some way you can help control bulldog jumping & biting.

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To start off on the right foot (and paw!) with your pup, he’ll need to know what you expect from him. This will make him feel secure in his ability to meet the goals laid out for him going forward.

The foundation of training should be based on positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is the process of giving a dog (or person!) a reward to encourage the behavior you want, like getting a pay check for going to work. (more…)

Dog-training expert and AKC Family Dog Training & Behavior columnist Kathy Santo offers the following tips on overcoming a common puppy problem: biting. Puppies’ mouths are filled with about 28 teeny-tiny razors that seem to be attracted to your fingers or toes. Although an annoying behavior, this is something that’s completely normal for teething, playful puppies and something you can train away with these few steps.

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Bulldog puppy training may seem daunting when you first get that adorable puppy, that is why this guide will break down the process in simple and easy to follow steps. The secret to a well-behaved bulldog is to start with training as early as you adopt him. 

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Whether you’re hoping to enroll your pet in a sporting event or are just trying to teach your new puppy basic house rules, a well-executed training routine is key to meeting your goals. We talked to some of the best top dog trainers and got their top tips on training your puppy or dog.

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