Not-So-Great New Pet Introductions
In a perfect world, the lion really would lie down with the lamb (or the wolf with the rabbit), but our world isn’t perfect,...
Keeping the Peace in a Multi-Species Household
When you think about it, it’s a bit of a miracle that animals who would be predator and prey in many environments are often...
Have a Dog? You Are a Trainer
I confess: I am absolutely fascinated with animal behavior and “training.” I think about it all the time – so much so, that I even...
Mind Your Cues
Hang around with enough dog owners, and inevitably you will hear someone say to their distracted or recalcitrant dog, “Sit! Sit! Sit! SIT!” I’m...
Teach Your Puppy to “Leave it Alone”
First, you have to understand: It is perfectly normal for puppies to explore the world with their mouths. Usually, it’s not a big deal...
Tellington TTouch
In 1975, horse trainer Linda Tellington-Jones studied the Feldenkrais Method with its founder, Moishe Feldenkrais. In this form of bodywork for people, gentle and...
Welcome Mat Applications
We listed a variety of applications at the beginning of this article. Here’s a little more detail on each one:
Polite greetings: Visitors coming? No...
Beware the Poisoned Mat
In dog training, we most frequently hear the term “poisoned” attached to the word “cue,” meaning a cue for a particular behavior has taken...
Mat Training Tips
Mat training – teaching your dog to go lie down on her mat on cue, and stay there – sounds pretty simple, and in...
Whole Dog Journal’s 2019 Gear of the Year
If there is one thing that drives us crazy, it’s spending our hard-earned money on something that looks useful for our dogs – but...
Do The Work To Keep Your Dog Comfortable During New Experiences
In November, I went to a seminar about dog behavior and training and, for the first time in my life, brought a dog so...
Is Your Dog Reluctant to “Go” Outside in Winter?
It’s fairly common for dogs to decide that it’s just not worth the trouble of dealing with rain, snow, or freezing temperatures in order...
Latest Blog
Why Veterinary Wellness Exams Are Important
I took my two dogs—Woody, age 9, and Boone, age 3—to see their vet a week ago. I wasn’t looking forward to being chided for allowing him—nay, facilitating him—to gain a few extra pounds this winter. But I wasn’t at all expecting the health problems that my vet found.