Two weeks ago, I wrote about Hollywood dog trainers and how, while they may fool their audiences by using different dogs for different tricks, we can’t fool our dogs because they can tell when we’re being inauthentic. However, when people have had trouble projecting calm, assertive energy, I’ve also advised them to “fake it until […]
Many Pack Leaders have experienced something like this before: They arrive home to discover a huge mess. Somehow, their beloved pooch got out of his crate and tore into the furniture. Again. The fluffy innards of your comfy chair cover the floor and the couch. Some of it is even stuck to the curtains. And […]
Happy Valentine’s Day — and happy Singles’ Awareness Day. The former holiday has become big business in America. In 2015, people spent over $703 million on Valentine’s gifts. That may not seem like a lot when the same people spend $7 billion for Halloween and nearly a trillion dollars on Christmas — but that’s because […]
Are you wondering why your dog is chewing his paws? You’re not alone! There are a variety of reasons why dogs might chew their paws. Let’s look at the most common reasons, as well as the signs that might let you know it’s time to take your pup to the vet. Common Reason’s Dog’s Chew […]
When you think about getting a dog, you most likely imagine the fun and excitement of it. You’ll have a furry companion to snuggle with, a living alarm system to ward off would-be burglars, a playmate — or all three. But there’s a lot that goes into being a good Pack Leader. A dog is […]
The famous behaviorist B.F. Skinner made a discovery in the course of working with birds that’s known as “pigeon superstition” to this day. Basically, he had a group of pigeons in a cage along with an automatic bird feeder. The feeder would dispense a pigeon treat at regular intervals, and that timing had absolutely nothing […]
If you have a dog as a family member, it’s likely there are behaviors he engages in that drive you up a wall. Maybe he always covers you with love—and his fur!—right after you get dressed in your best, or he always paws at the door to be let out at five in the morning. […]
This week, let’s play “What if?” There are two dogs that need to be rehabilitated. I want you to pick the difficult case for me to handle, while you take the easy one, okay? The first dog, Brutus, is a Rottweiler/pit bull mix who weighs 150 pounds. He’s a strong, excitable dog. He isn’t aggressive, […]
Your dog knows you like the back of her paw! For many Pack Leaders, the best part of the human-canine bond is that feeling of connection. You don’t have to tell your dog what you need or what you’re feeling. She just knows. But how much do you really know about her? Does she have […]
Just after Thanksgiving, I finally decided to get my dog Sheeba’s DNA tested, so spent $85 for the test. I ordered it on a Friday and it arrived the following Monday, sent it back on a Tuesday and they got it the following Friday. Two weeks later, the results came back — and there were a […]
