When families welcome a dog into their family, they frequently hold many preconceived notions. They picture idyllic walks and play dates at the dog park. In all of these scenarios, their dog is happy and well behaved. New sights, sounds and smells do not bother him,...
Not All Dog Parks Are Created Equal Dog parks vary in size and amenities. Some are designed to separate dogs by size, others in more urban areas where space is scarce are most often inclusive of all sizes. Dog parks offer a great space for dogs to smell traces...
As a puppy parent, you want your new family member to grow into a confident, well-adjusted and happy adult dog. Perhaps the biggest key to achieving this goal is to ensure that your puppy is properly socialized from a young age. If you got your pup from a breeder,...
Last week, I spent 7 days in Guatemala with two of our students from the Canine Enrichment Academy (CEA). I’ve been documenting street dogs, free-roaming dogs, and village dogs in developing countries for two decades now, and the idea of hosting a Street Dog Retreat...
For years, I’ve found myself in conflict with our claim that dogs need socialization. I know you’ve been told your dog needs socialization. You’ve read this all over the internet and it’s in every “how to train a dog“ book. But, what if we re-framed the “need” to say,...
Hi, My Name Is… Socializing your puppy when she’s eight weeks old is the key to preventing serious behavior issues down the road. Early socialization sets your puppy up for success. Socialization is different than exposure, in that through...
