From putting their paws up on a wheelchair for therapy visits, feet up on a chair for grandma to pet your cute pup’s head, to helping with grooming, to just feet up for a cute photo – teaching your dog can put their front paws up on something is a useful and fun trick to teach. To begin you’ll need… Read more →
This trick reminds me of when little girls dances with their dads and stand on their feet, it’s a bit different but still a wonderful connection is there. We’re going to teach your dog to walk with his front paws on your feet. Start with your toes pointed in – for larger dogs you’ll be able to keep a little… Read more →
Mental enrichment is so important to our dogs’ well-being. A tired dog is a happy dog and keeping their mind active is as much a part of daily exercise as going for walks. If you missed my recent post about our favorite puzzles and games, you can check it out here. But fortunately – as we’re all housebound now – you… Read more →
This trick is always one of the favorites when we volunteer at hospitals and I’m sure it will be a hit whenever you do it too. We’re going to be teaching your dog to jump through your arms. A quick note if you have a puppy this is one you will want to hold off teaching as puppies shouldn’t be… Read more →
You’ve probably heard the saying ‘a tired dog is a happy dog.’ I would agree with that. However, that statement doesn’t quite represent the full picture. A mentally-stimulated, tired dog is a happy dog. Physical exercise is great and very necessary for a dog but it’s really only half of the equation. Your dog, intelligent creature that he or she is, also… Read more →
Maggie is an old pro at handstands but my younger dog, Rossi, is just learning. I’ve filmed a lot of our training sessions, which range from genius moments to oops. But that’s how real dog training goes and you just keep at it with patience and consistency. For Rossi’s training, I’m using a Klimb from Blue-9 Pet Products. Back when… Read more →
Spinning in circles! This is a fun and easy one to teach! Start with some tasty treats – or your dogs meal. With the treat at your dogs nose height lure them around in a circle and reward with your treat. If needed reward in small steps as you move around the circle. Repeat this and and as your pet… Read more →
The loss of a pet is one of the most difficult things imaginable to me. It’s losing a family member, with the same profound effects and maybe more. Studies have shown that losing a pet is often harder on people than the loss of a human in their lives – but really, I don’t think we need a study to… Read more →
For those of us who live and breathe the pet industry, August means SuperZoo, the weeklong extravaganza when Las Vegas becomes the epicenter of pet products and services. My dogs and I go every year – this was Maggie’s eighth SuperZoo and Rossi’s second. SuperZoo showcases animal products for every sector of the industry: food, toys, beds, habitats, wearables, holistic… Read more →
Recently, we’ve had some earthquakes in Southern California which have put lots of people on edge wondering if the Big One will strike soon. During the serious Northridge quake of 1994, I was 8 years old and the world was a very different place. We didn’t have cell phones to call and check on everyone or facebook to update our… Read more →