Todd started working with Mystic at Dog Gone Smart. 

Maremmas are not known as easily trained. They are just too independent. But Mystic is taking to it very well.

Todd started Mystic with the basics in swimming and leash walking.

Since that went so well we progressed to standard commands and behaviors like sit and stay until released and “Go to Bed’.

Todd used the standard techniques we use at the canine center for training.

For sit and stay, Todd started Mystic with a sit...

In communication between people, how we say things can often change how things are heard. We use nonverbal cues to change or refine the message.

Ask any couple in a relationship and they’ll tell you about the argument that stemmed from how something innocent was said.

And this is true in anywhere where people communicate. Entertainment, politics, advertising, media, and on and on.

You can go to school for years to learn the ins and outs of all of this.

But what if I told you that the...

Eventually, most of us will stumble upon a wandering dog. In some cases, those dogs are strays, but it can be tough to tell the difference. Dogs escape their homes without a tag and sometimes get dirty as they try to get back home.

If you’ve discovered a dog without a nearby owner, you may wonder what to do next. Here are some steps to take to help reunite a lost dog with his owners.

How to Help a Dog Find Its Way Back Home

Make Sure the Dog Is Lost

There are some telltale signs a dog...

Your dog is an important part of your family. You want to make sure your pet is safe and happy by your side, whether you’re going for a walk or snuggling on the sofa together.

Unfortunately, even the best-trained pets can sometimes escape. Keeping your dog on a leash or in a fenced yard is one of the most important things you can do to protect your furry friend, but even that isn’t foolproof. Here are a few extra steps you can take to ensure your dog stays where he belongs.

How to...

When the weather cooperates, a trip to the park is a great way for your dog to get some exercise and burn off all that excess energy. But the weather doesn’t always cooperate. When it’s rainy or chilly outside, your dog may still crave that exercise—not to mention some fun bonding time with his humans.

The good news is, there are plenty of games you can play indoors that will keep your dog engaged while also helping him get a little exercise and mental stimulation. Mental...

Few things can be as scary or emotionally unsettling as a missing dog. Not only does it put your pet at risk of harm, but you’ll likely fear that you won’t be able to find him again. If your dog gets out repeatedly, you may find neighbors start to complain and local animal control could even get involved.

But keeping a dog on your property can be a challenge, especially if you have a new puppy. Young puppies should never be outside without your close supervision. For older puppies...

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...

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...

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...