If we’re to believe Punxsutawney Phil, spring is right around the corner. This has us excited to get outside with our pups to play and explore the scents that come with warmer weather. It also could mean that we’re just antsy to get outside. Either way, exploring the outdoors with your pup is a wonderful way to enhance your human-animal bond. When warm weather heads our way, we like to head outdoors for our puppy training time. If you’ve joined us in the #12WeekPuppyChallenge, then you know that practicing ‘sit and stay’ is fun to do in a park where there’s a little distraction but not too much interference. This type of stimuli is good for a pup to encounter,...
One of the cutest things about puppies is their insatiable curiosity about the world! Just like a little human, puppies are always exploring the world and trying to understand their relationship to it. Take something like grabbing one of your dog’s toys to play keep away - it’s so much fun. The puppy learns how to pounce and snatch toys, but he may also unintentionally be picking up a few bad habits. Remember, their learning how the world interacts with them when they do something. Sometimes ‘keep away’ can help your puppy learn how to guard or protect his things, including toys, treats, and food and water bowls. Introducing your puppy to fun games can be done in a way that’s...
Dogs are well known for their ability to smell scents, and they can even pick up a particular odor up to 40 feet away... Underground! That’s pretty amazing when you consider many of us humans can’t even find our car keys in our own house. The secret to a dog’s fantastic ability to smell is in their noses and brains. Dog’s have 5 times as many olfactory receptors in their noses compared to humans, and the part of their brain devoted to scent analysis is forty times greater than ours (source). With all of their built-in ability to sniff so well, it stands to reason that pet parents can capitalize on this for a little reward-based training with their dogs....
What better holiday is there to show your dog that you love him than on Valentine’s Day? No longer just for humans, Valentine’s Day is perfect for creating something special for your most devoted furry family member. If you’ve successfully completed our #12weekpuppychallenge, your dog is likely well-socialized. This is perfect if you are considering taking your pup to a dog-friendly location to celebrate Valentine’s Day. There are plenty of coffee shops and bistros that welcome well-mannered dogs. But, if you would rather stay inside we have some tips for how to include your dog in your Valentine’s Day plans! Being that Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express ones love, you can use it to: Take your dog on...
We get this question a lot, and we have to laugh because even with good planning it always feels a little nerve racking to add a puppy to your family. In a lot of ways, a puppy is like a toddler who is learning how to walk. A little unstable, a little unsure, and lacking the natural inhibitions that can keep them out of trouble. A parent’s job is to patiently teach their toddler, and to guide with gentle loving care. It’s no different with a puppy. New pet owners have the same job and use many of the same skills: patience, gentleness and caring. If you have these three attributes, it definitely is the best time to add a...
