One of the most common dog behavior challenges we see pup parents face is their dog getting over-excited or scared over something, causing their behavior to change. And that's truly where counterconditioning and desensitization come in! For some, it’s a matter of helping your dog gain confidence around new people and in new places, so...

I remember being a young dog sitter and taking the dog on a walk, seeing him sniff a dog’s butt, and alarmingly wondering to myself ‘WHY do dogs sniff butts’?! I was 10 years old and thought it was hilarious, of course, but also could tell it probably was for a specific reason. Well, fast...

We know dogs care about people paying attention to them and generally enjoy human attention. Dog parents often find watching their dog playing and having fun both heartwarming and entertaining. Those who have two or more dogs may also enjoy watching how their dogs interact and may even have fun getting involved in the dogs’...

Have you ever seen a toddler after they’ve missed their nap? Rather than being so tired that they calmly fall asleep the moment they lay down, they unlock a hyper, cranky, and/or defiant side of themselves that you wouldn’t otherwise see. Puppies can be the same way when they're overtired! It’s easy to assume the...

After about the 73rd puppy bite of the day, I looked down at my bloodied hands and wondered aloud… WHY do puppies bite so much?! I tried all the puppy biting tips but nothing seemed to be working. 😫 What a challenge! Like many things in life, understanding the why behind our dog’s behaviors can...

While our dogs do some really adorable and endearing things, they also do some things that baffle – and quite frankly frustrate – us. One of those behaviors that fall into the second category is putting anything and everything they see in their mouths. We get asked by a lot of pet parents for help...

Are you a creature of habit? Maybe you eat your meals at the same time every day, exercise at the same time every day, or do certain household chores on the same day of the week. Routines help us stay on track and keep up with the world around us. But we’re not the only...

Loss and grieving are never pleasant topics, but it’s an unfortunate part of having loved ones in our lives. When we lose a dog family member, it has a significant impact on everyone, including the other dogs in our households. That brings up many questions... Do dogs grieve? How do dogs experience loss? How do...

There’s a common misconception that dogs who chase, run across thresholds, or seemingly can’t control themselves around food are being defiant or trying to be the “alpha” of your home. But that’s not really the case. What you’re seeing in those situations is impulse, rather than a personality trait. Dogs have strong impulses by nature,...

A counter surfing dog can be extremely frustrating and dangerous. And while there are some things you can do to reduce counter surfing and keep your dog off the counter, we have to talk about the unfortunate reality of this behavior. Prevention is the #1 way to stop counter surfing. But more on that later!...