pet training

I frequently write about the importance of daily training sessions for all dogs. Pet dogs are happier, healthier and more obedient if training is reinforced daily. Sessions don’t need to be lengthy or intensive every day. … Read More

We’ve all been there: In the midst of a training session, things go downhill. Your dog looks at you like you’ve grown a second head, even when you give a cue he should know backwards, forwards, … Read More

Is there any breed more controversial than the American Pit Bull Terrier? Not only are many people afraid of them, they’re even singled out to be killed on sight in some areas due to Breed Specific Legislation (BSL). So what’s the truth about Pit Bulls, and how can the average owner train one to be […]

So you’ve got a new puppy. One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a collar that the puppy will wear, either all the time or only on walks. There are numerous styles … Read More

Does your dog wear a bark collar? If so, it would make my day if you removed that collar right now and threw it into the trash can. It’s not necessary, may be harmful behaviorally and … Read More

Toy dogs (members of the AKC Toy Group) are becoming more and more popular every day, but many owners don’t take the time to train these dogs. Training toy breeds represents unique challenges, but it’s both … Read More

Breathing in the fresh, warm breeze, stretching your legs with a walk, basking in the sun and taking in the view are just a few ways to appreciate the summer weather. But don’t forget that your … Read More

Cats love countertops. They provide a high vantage point from which a cat can observe goings-on in the kitchen, they often have tasty crumbs or good smells on  them, and it drives their owners nuts when … Read More

Layoffs and bankrupt companies are continuing to make the news in the U.S., and these occurrences seem to be foreshadowing doom for all of us. However, amidst the demise of some businesses, other professions are flourishing. … Read More

Ending the use of electric dog collars in Wales is of utmost concern to the Kennel Club. Although manufacturers are confused by this change of perspective, the Animal Welfare Act may tip the scale. However, Rural … Read More

It’s the rainy season in many parts of the world, and walks, dog park visits, outdoor training classes, and playtime in the backyard aren’t happening with their usual frequency. A dog kept indoors because of rain … Read More

Among the most common goals of active, involved dog owners is to certify their dog as a therapy dog and do therapy work with elderly people, children, veterans, or people with disabilities. Therapy dogs can help people … Read More

Dear Petlvr, I hope you can help: We just brought home a 7 week old puppy – malti-poo/pom mix. Tiny, less than one pound. We have a mini-doxie age 12 who is fine with her. However, … Read More

If you are housebreaking a puppy or dog, you’ve heard the age-old advice: “When he has an accident, just rub his nose in it!” Somehow that old chestnut has survived several revolutions in dog training, even … Read More

As the weather gets warmer, you may find that your dog can’t exercise enough during the day to keep him or her calm without becoming overheated. The cooler nights and evenings are a better time for … Read More

Convincing an outdoor cat to remain happily indoors is a task most cat parents will face at some point. While some outdoor cats settle into indoor life with no fuss at all, others may pace, yowl, … Read More

Train dogs and interact with the people who love them long enough, and you’ll find that certain truths about dog training are almost always accurate. Professional trainers and serious hobbyists are fond of standing around swapping … Read More

Once upon a time, including pets in a wedding would have been a massive social blunder frowned upon by the majority of guests. Now, many pet lovers can’t imagine marrying without their pets present. It makes … Read More

Yesterday we introduced you to Bo Obama, the Portuguese Water Dog now owned by Barack Obama and his family. Today, just in case Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Sasha read Petlvr: The Blog, I’ve got five helpful hints … Read More

This is the first year that I managed *NOT* to eat a bunch of chocolate easter bunnies … but that didn’t stop me from searching YouTube for some bunny sweets!! Enjoy. Amazing Bunny Tricks * YouTube … Read More

It’s not easy to look at a litter of puppies, kittens, rats, or any other animal and pick just one baby to take home. Should you really choose just one? Wouldn’t those two littermates be happier together? … Read More

Many dogs, particularly small dogs and those with short coats, refuse to do their business in deep snow. When Spring blizzards like the one blanketing my city with over a foot of the white stuff hit, … Read More

Should you let your dog off-leash? The answer is usually no, but then how can your high energy dog get enough exercise? When leashed to  you, most medium to large dogs are limited to a slow … Read More

Once you’ve picked out a puppy, the hardest part of your dog search is over. But when should that puppy join your family? If it’s already weaned and separated from littermates, the answer is “as soon … Read More

Most dogs don’t get enough exercise. The modern human lifestyle doesn’t always allow for dogs to get an ideal amount of playtime and physical activity. A large majority of dog owners will never worry about whether … Read More

It’s easy to smack a child or animal when  they make you angry, or to yank a choke chain, but what results does physical punishment really yield? For many dog owners and parents alike, the only definite … Read More

Puppies can be tough to housebreak, but the challenge of housetraining an older dog who has become accustomed to pottying inside is a whole ‘nother bag of chips, so to speak. While the most important part … Read More

My horse, Ember, was very head-shy when he first came to me as a rescued racehorse who’d been on his way to slaughter. A severe ear mite infestation made the problem even worse. After the mites were … Read More

It’s a rare dog who’s never pilfered a sock from his owners, nor been caught fleeing the dirty laundry basket clutching a pair of panties in his mouth. But why exactly do dogs steal dirty laundry? … Read More

Last week, I introduced you to my foster dog, Tory. At the time, he had not yet arrived. Now he’s at home with me, and has proven to be a little more of a handful than … Read More

Dear Petlvr Mailbag … My dog has a fear of noises. At our training park, there is a BMX track next door. When the bikes take off, they go through an opening gate which comes down … Read More

Most dog owners have experienced the consequences of failure to generalize a learned behavior at one time or another. For example, let’s say you just spent an hour carefully teaching your new puppy to “Heel” perfectly in … Read More

Children, even at a fairly early age, are perfectly capable of teaching and reinforcing simple behaviors with the family dog. Training a dog is an easy skill to learn. It builds self-esteem for children, and is … Read More