Walking to allow your dog to get physical exercise is very important for the overall health of your pup; however, smell walks are just as important. What is a smell walk? A smell walk is a short walk, down the street, around the block or whatever feels good for you. It consists of stopping at any and every area your dog desires and allowing them to sniff their surroundings. When your dog lingers at a fire hydrant for several minutes absorbing all the scents or sniffs a pile o

The beginning of a dog's life is essential for how they develop into an adult dog. Similar to children and the importance of their childhoods. The first 8-16 weeks of a dog's life are crucial for exposure to all different forms of stimuli to aide in having a well-rounded, adaptable dog. Studies show during that 8-week time frame to aim for exposing your dog to 50 new people and 100 dogs. This may seem drastic and potentially not feasible for some owner's lifestyle. The idea i

There are hundreds of dogs in shelters waiting for the right homes. Different than adopting a puppy from a breeder shortly after birth, some of these dogs have had numerous previous owners and come with years of trauma. Lack of training, improper socialization, physical abuse, neglect and homelessness are just a few things a shelter pet may have experienced. Dogs are bound to come with anxieties, aggression and trauma responses when they have lived a life having to fend off o

Jumping can be one of the most frustrating and undesirable behaviors a dog does. Dogs can jump for a variety of reasons but typically it is due to the fact dogs are accustomed to greeting face to face or at eye level. Jumping can also be out of excitement or attention seeking. Some pet owners are unbothered by their dog jumping, especially when they're a small dog. However, jumping can become problematic when the dog begins to knock things down, jump around elderly or small c

Leashes are a wonderful tool that allows you as an owner to have physical control over your dog. Off leash play is also a great opportunity to allow your dog to explore without the barrier between them and what they want. An important thing to remember as an owner is that while your dog may play well with other dogs, or you believe your dog has strong recall, not all dogs are dog-friendly and one wrong look or miscommunicated body movement can lead to every dog owner's worst

Dogs can be amazing companions and a wonderful addition to families. Getting a dog can be very exciting. Getting all the snuggles and doggy kisses is so amazing. There is another side to being a pet owner that is not always considered prior to adoption. It is important to research the breed you're interested in beforehand to ensure this dog will integrate well into your family dynamic. Some dogs are not good with children, some dogs require big yards to run around, some dogs

Mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation. When trying to understand your dog's behavior it is essential to look at the cognitive aspect as well as the physical. Majority of the time your dog is not bored and choosing to be naughty, but rather they're creating themselves a job to do. There are some breeds that require more mental stimulation and cognitive thinking than others. When deciding on what breed is right for you and your family, considering the

An anthropomorphism involves attributing human like qualities, emotions, or behaviors onto animals or objects. Many pet owners believe their dog can feel things such as embarrassment, guilt, stubbornness, or even revenge. While dogs do feel and express a variety of emotions, it is important to remember your dog is not trying to con you into anything. They're not chewing all the furniture in the house because they're being vengeful, they're not going to the bathroom inside to

When interacting with your dog it is important to remember dogs think in a pack mentality. Are you the leader of your pack, or are they? Dog's use the pack mentality to understand social structures, cooperate and work together, and be able to bond or have a sense of security. To lead a successful life alongside your dog it is essential to instill dominance. You dog can then understand the dynamic of your relationship and that you, the owner, are the alpha. Creating this mutua