Naming a new puppy can be both challenging and fun. Whether you choose a name from a list of popular dog names or come up with one on your own, it’s a big decision. After all, you’ll be referring to your new pup by that name for a long time.

Once you’ve chosen a name, the challenge of teaching it to him begins. You’ll use it not only to show love, but to call your pet back after an escape or to get his attention whenever you need it. For these reasons, teaching your...

If you have a dog, you probably know just how much mischief he can get into with his mouth. That book or shoe he chewed up tells you that chewing is a favorite pastime, especially for younger dogs. Dogs love to pick up anything that smells like you - clothing, telephones, remote controls, etc. While sometimes this behavior amuses us, it can often be dangerous for your dog and expensive for you. Recently I worked with a dog who took batteries off of a counter, swallowed them whole and had to...

Did you ever stop to wonder what your dog could possibly be thinking? You aren’t alone. Our little family members can’t tell us their thoughts, hopes, and dreams, so we’re left to try to read it through expressions and body language.

But there are some things we have learned about dogs over the years and that knowledge can come in handy when it’s time to train your companion. Here are a few insights into the mind of your favorite dog.

The Secrets of Dog Psychology...

Service dogs are trained for a very specific job. Once that training is complete, your new helper should be able to navigate a wide variety of environments, from airplanes to restaurants to grocery stores.

If you have a new service dog, though, it’s only natural that you’ll have a few questions about venturing out into public together. Here are a few tips that can help.

Taking Your Service Dog Out in Public

Understanding Service Dog Rights

Before you leave home, first familiarize...

Are you ready for the arrival of your new puppy? This cute little creature is going to require a lot of work. The good news is, with training and the right supplies and equipment, raising your new puppy can be easy and stress-free. In the days leading up to your new puppy’s arrival, there are some things you can do to help transition your new puppy into a happy and healthy member of your family.

Getting Your Home Ready for Your New Puppy

Invest in a Crate

For your puppy’s safety...

Every year, thousands of cats and dogs undergo a dangerous and expensive procedure. A procedure that not only results in unnecessary death but is in some cases completely superfluous.

What is this risky practice?

It’s going under anesthesia in order to get their teeth cleaned.

Is Anesthesia for Dog Teeth Cleaning Necessary?

Each year approximately one in 1,000 otherwise healthy cats and one in 2,000 otherwise healthy dogs die under anesthesia. That is a low number. A relatively safe...

If you’ve read through my dog training tips, you may have noticed that they focus heavily on verbal commands. But you can also communicate with your dog through body language in ways you don’t even realize.

Using Hand Signals to Communicate with Your Dog

When you accompany your commands with hand signals, you can get even better results. If your dog is hearing impaired or loses hearing in old age, these signals are essential for communication. They can also be used when a normal...

Is putting my dog in a crate like putting my dog in jail?

That must be one of the most commonly asked questions when training begins.

Many people see a crate as a mean and unjust way to manage their dogs (just ask PETA). In Europe, most people do not use crates (except during transport) for their dogs and don’t find it necessary in the home.

So is it cruel to use a crate? Are you being mean to leave your dog in one?

I think it depends. A crate is a tool and like all tools can be...

By now, the way we live and interact will have dramatically changed. Nearly everything about our day-to-day lives has been altered in some way. Hopefully, soon things will return to normal. But for now, we are in unchartered territory.

It can scary.

But it’s important not to trade one danger for another. A stressful diet of 24-hour news and live virus-tracking maps can take nearly as much a toll on our well-being and health as a virus.

Mastering Pandemic Panic

But, Chris, how about my...

Training a dog takes time and patience, but it pays off with years of good behavior. There are a few basic commands that every dog needs to learn right away, but many use similar training techniques. Before you get started training, invest in some small, tasty treats that you can use as a reward and gather your patience.

Getting Started With Basic Dog Training Commands

I fully believe in the value of positive reinforcement. You’ll get much better results by praising your dog for...