The Connection Between Behavior and Food in Dogs and Cats: Why It Matters
Written By: Jessica L. Fisher
As pet parents, we all want our dogs and cats to be happy, healthy, and well-behaved. While many factors contribute to your pet's behavior, one often-overlooked aspect is their diet. The food your pet consumes doesn’t just fuel their body; it also plays a significant role in shaping their behavior. Combined with a consistent training routine focused on positive reinforcement, the right diet can help your pet live a balanced and fulfilling life.
How Long Will It Take To Train My Dog?
Written By: Courtney Case
"How long will it take to train my dog?” This is a completely reasonable question that almost every client asks me as a professional dog trainer. The answer varies depending on the people in the household, the dog(s) and the situation. What I can always say is, “to a certain extent, you never stop training.”
The truth is, training isn’t a thing we do with our dogs and then stop doing one day because they “know better.” A mature dog has roughly the mental capacity of a toddler. Not to anthropomorphize too much, but we don’t expect toddlers to remember everything we teach them in every situation, and we shouldn’t expect our dogs to always know what to do. Even a dog without special needs like behavior issues is going to need the occasional reminder of what we want in certain situations and is (hopefully) being rewarded for that behavior. Dogs are living, breathing, decision making animals and sometimes they’re going to get distracted, forget things, and want to do things you don’t want them to do.
Why Natural Flea and Tick Prevention is Safer for Your Dog (and the Planet)
Written By: Jessica L. Fisher
When it comes to protecting our dogs from fleas and ticks, many pet parents reach for conventional flea and tick medications. However, these products often contain neurotoxins—chemicals designed to disrupt the nervous systems of pests—that can pose significant risks to our pets and the environment. Before diving into natural alternatives, let’s explore the potential dangers associated with these chemical treatments.The mechanism of action is also greatly misunderstood. Most people believe that by using chemical flea and tick medications they are preventing fleas and ticks from biting their dog or cat. This isn’t the case! Whether you are using a topical or oral medication, they are only effective in killing the flea or the tick after they bite your pet. Natural alternatives are actual repellants, keeping pests away from your pet.
Separation Anxiety Specialists Wish Pet Parents Knew…
Written By: Lauren Sorensen
Many people believe that when their dogs act destructively when left alone, they’re deliberately trying to spite us or are being “naughty.” It’s easy to fall into this way of thinking when our dogs' behavior becomes inconvenient for us. After all, this was not part of your plan for your dog's life—or yours, for that matter. But what if I told you this perspective is not just wrong but actually counterproductive?
Thinking of Getting a Pet?
Written By: Kristen Kruska
What do I wish every pet parent knew? It’s a topic that gets to the heart of what it means to be a responsible and loving pet parent. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the immense joy pets bring into our lives, as well as the challenges that arise when we aren’t fully prepared. If I could share one essential piece of advice, it would be this: a successful, fulfilling relationship with your pet starts long before they come home with you. It begins with thoughtful preparation, realistic planning, and a commitment to their well-being that lasts a lifetime.