Dog Training
A Promise to Your Dog
Before you embark on your behavior and training journey with us, know that modifying behaviors is a process. There are no quick fixes or immediate solutions. Though they can seem tedious, small steps are usually the fastest and most effective path to lasting success. While our staff will be coaching you along the way, behavior change takes time and [...]
Is Your Dog Bored?
Is Your Dog Bored? Enrich Your Dog’s Life! By Kimberly Archer, Dog Behavior Technician Have you ever wondered what a day is like through your dog’s eyes? You may [...]
The Truth About Dominance Theory
The Truth About Dominance Theory By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 The truth is there is nothing noble in being superior to another being. The only real nobility is in [...]
Preparing Your Dog For Your New Baby
Preparing Your Dog For Your New Baby By Heather Gibbs, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, SBA Overview Preparing for a new baby's arrival can be an exciting and stressful time for all family [...]
Health & Safety
Choke Collar Pathology
by Daniel Antolec Recently I persuaded a local pet supply store to sell me all his choke collars (at cost) and refrain from restocking them, in return for recommendations for safe body harnesses such [...]
Agility equipment safety
When it comes to dog agility training it is important to pay attention to some details to keep our dogs safe. This article by the Agility Nerd highlights some potential issues. Always check agility [...]
Why Are so Many Dogs Going Gray as Early as Age 1?
By Dr. Becker If you're familiar with the term "the graying of America," you know it refers to the fact that the American population is increasingly dominated by older people. In other words, the median [...]
Dog Agility Training
Tampa Dog Trainer: 10 Ways to Stay Competitive in Agility by Brenna Fender
Agility is fun and exciting dog sport for both dog and handler! How do you stay at the top of your agility game? By Brenna Fender Maybe you've reached a high level of proficiency [...]
Courteous Canine, Inc. Instructor and Student Competes in Purina Incredible Dog Challenge
Agility Dog Snitch Competes in Incredible Dog Challenge Courteous Canine, Inc. Instructor and Student Competes in Purina Incredible Dog Challenge Jill Baker and her fast Golden Retriever Snitch competed in the Regional Purina [...]
Courteous Canine Articles
The Problem with Punishment
Punishment comes at a price. Learn more about this by reading this blog by Anna Francesca Bradley. Punishment generates negative emotions of frustration, anger, anxiety, fear and causes pain; a far better approach is [...]
Local Enhancement and Socially Facilitated Behaviors in Dogs
PPG has posted another outstanding blog by Eileen Anderson! If you are dog training geek, be sure to give this a read! This post started out as one thing and transformed into another as I [...]
Marshmallow Tests for Dogs
By Pam Hogle A guide dog partner, Deni Elliott, devised a dog version of the marshmallow test for her guide dog. She administered it to her guide Alberta a few years ago. Alberta did [...]
Body Language – Your Dog’s Native Tongue
By Susan Claire, CPDT-KA This very fearful dog is showing that he does not want to be approached via his hunched position, flat ears, whites of the eyes and very slight curling of the [...]
Service Dog Teams and Continuing Education
by Pam Hogle Photo by Nancy Garrett A few weeks ago, I was part of an amazing experience — the first-ever continuing education weekend seminar for guide dog teams that included trainers and [...]
Choke Collar Pathology
by Daniel Antolec Recently I persuaded a local pet supply store to sell me all his choke collars (at cost) and refrain from restocking them, in return for recommendations for safe body harnesses such [...]
Do Dogs Use Tools?
by Pam Hogle More than fifty years ago, Jane Goodall made a discovery that shook some scientists — particularly those that had long lists of all the things that made humans unique and superior to [...]
If You’re Loving It, Why Leave?
by Eileen Anderson Is “choice” a code word for negative reinforcement? It can be. Seems like that’s the context where I see it pop up the most. I’ve written a lot about choice. Two [...]
We are ALWAYS training
Kay Laurence is a master trainer who points out the obvious in this blog: We are always training our dogs no matter what we are doing. Happy reading! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Kay Laurence I had [...]
A Positive Outlook on Canine Aggression
by Anna Francesca Bradley Reactivity indicates a dog is not comfortable in a given situation. Photo (c) CanStock Photo Reactivity indicates a dog is not comfortable in a given situation. Photo (c) CanStock [...]
Is Calm Really Just Another Behavior?
by Barbara Hodel What is the most difficult thing to teach our dogs? Coming back or a great recall? While I do agree that this is a difficult behavior, I do think teaching calm is [...]
Three reasons to use a clicker, or not.
Here is a blog by the Masterful Clicker Trainer Kay Laurence. Kay brings up some interesting points why it may be better to use a clicker, not because it has some sort of magical [...]
Agility equipment safety
When it comes to dog agility training it is important to pay attention to some details to keep our dogs safe. This article by the Agility Nerd highlights some potential issues. Always check agility [...]
Dominance in Canine Behavior: Reality or Myth?
By Don Hanson BFRAP CDBC ACCBC CPDT-KA The concept of dominance in dog training is still pervasive today in some circles in spite of the advances made in behavioral science. Photo: © Can Stock [...]
Pet Professional Guild publishes open letter to pet industry associations on the use of shock
Calls on organizations representing pet professionals to drive significant change by publicly saying “no” to any training technique that causes pain or fear TAMPA, Fla. – March 6, 2017 – PRLog — Pet Professional Guild [...]