Over the years as a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant there has been a constant theme of comments that I have received and continue to receive in my work focusing on conformation. I have been told things like, “He never warms up to people as quickly as he has Read more…
Those of you who breed know, like me, how challenging it can be to teach a new puppy owner who is not in your immediate area. How do you help them prepare for the show ring and raise their puppies to be good show dogs when they aren’t nearby? This Read more…
After taking an almost 14 year break in breeding, I began again last year with a new breed. I have moved from Dachshunds to Lowchen and bred my first Lowchen litter last year. I take the job of breeder very seriously. I recognize the huge responsibility to produce and create Read more…
Unless you’ve been living in the jungle for the last 10 years or so, you’ve heard all the controversy about harnesses, particularly the “T” type harnesses that have a strap that crosses the dog’s chest. Front-clipping harnesses in particular have come under fire in dog communities. Examples of such harnesses Read more…
5 Ways to Exercise Your Dog on Rainy Days 1. Food search games – Food search games are a great way to burn some energy in your active dog. Scent work of any kind is tiring for dogs. Hide food around the house and allow your dog to search and Read more…
One thing that I feel very lucky for is that I learned how to train dogs differently than I train today. I learned to train with more traditional methods and have changed over to methods that are progressive, effective and very dog friendly. I am grateful for this because I Read more…
Today I met with a new client. I am only doing training for show dogs and thought that this was a fearful show dog. It turns out that the dog is not a show dog, but a much loved companion dog who is fearful, but that someone had told her Read more…
In October of last year my good friend and I imported a puppy from Australia. Jager was shown by his breeder in Australia and won multiple Best Baby Puppy in Shows and Baby Puppy Group Placements before coming to the US. After he got settled in I began working with Read more…
One big piece of From Shy to Showy is the commitment to giving the dog “choice”. Particularly in the early stages, whether you are dealing with a dog who is very fearful, shy or even just doesn’t enjoy the ring it is important for the dog to learn that they Read more…
As New Years approaches I find myself, like many others, contemplating my plans for the new year. Besides the usual plans of eating better, being ore organized and exercising more, I am sitting down and looking at my plans and goals for my animals. As far as specifics and goals, Read more…