Common Separation Anxiety Symptoms Exhibited in Dogs

By Kelly Marshall

There are many common symptoms exhibited by dogs that suffer from separation anxiety when left alone. It has been established that one of the most common complaints made by dog owners is that their pets become extremely disruptive and/or destructive when they are not with them.

These behaviors are most commonly noticed once a pet owner has returned and the dog has been left alone for an extended length of time. Many dogs that suffer from this condition have been house trained and know what is expected of them while in the home, but the situation becomes so stressful that they act out. Read more »

Why Your Dog Jumps on People and How to Stop It

When I got my Border Collie mix Sam from the local Humane Society, he had very few problems, which is a godsend for a rescued dog. In fact, when I inquired about Sam through a phone call, the people at the Humane Society said he was basically the perfect dog. They informed me that the only problem he had was jumping up on people. I thought, “that will be easy to solve.”

When I brought Sam home he really was well behaved. He didn’t chew on things, he didn’t pee in the house and he didn’t bark very much. However, every chance he got he would jump up on me. When I invited guests over, he would jump up on them. Read more »

How To Teach Your Dog Proper Social Skills

Teaching a puppy or a dog proper socialization skills is vital to the safety of both your dog and other dogs and people with whom he comes into contact. A properly socialized dog is a happy dog, and a joy to be around for both humans and animals. A poorly socialized dog, or one with no socialization at all, is a danger to other animals, other people and even his own family.

Socialization is best done when the puppy is as young as possible The socialization lessons a young puppy learns are difficult to undo, and it is important to remember that the socialization skills the puppy learns will affect his behavior for the rest of his life. Read more »

Dog Treats: Should You Use Them In Dog Training?

By: Keith Gilbert

There’s always been some controversy over whether you should give treats (i.e. dog biscuits or MilkBones) when you are training a dog. There are advantages and disadvantages to giving treats to a dog when you are training him. This article will hopefully clear up any confusion you might have.

Now, some people say, “Of course! Give the dog treats so he’ll obey you. After all, you won’t get his attention if you don’t give him anything he enjoys.” On the other hand, some other people will say, “No, don’t give the dog treats! He’ll be only obeying you for the food.” Read more »

House Training your Dog

By Douglas Bailey

House training your puppy (or grown dog) can be both frustrating and rewarding. The purpose of this article is to attempt to maximize the rewarding portion of the experience. There are several methods to accomplish this goal and I want to take a few minutes outlining the process and benefits of each.

Litter Box Training Read more »