Search Results for: How To Pick The Right Puppy

How To Pick The Right Puppy

Once you have decided that you want a puppy and not an adult dog, there are still many considerations you have to make in order to choose the right one. Bringing a puppy into your home is a 15-20 year commitment, so it’s important not to take the decision lightly. What To Look  For In Read More

Introducing An Older Dog To A Puppy

Preparation is key. Start by picking up any toys or chew items from common areas. Then decide where the puppy will be during rest times or times in which you cannot supervise. Depending on the size of the puppy, this can be a repurposed playpen or an ex-pen with a crate inside, or even a small room.

Starting out with your new puppy

You’ve been planning for months, and at last your new puppy is here! Your expectations are enormous: this is going to be the perfect dog you’ve always wanted. And maybe that’s right, and your little puppy will become your Brilliant Family Dog. But for many of us - and for many of our puppies - Read More

Your puppy is not a blank slate

Here’s why… Your puppy is a product of its parents’ genes. These provide the blueprint for appearance, temperament and behavior.  This is why a Jack Russell looks and acts like a Jack Russell, and a Labrador looks and acts like a Labrador.  If you want a dog that will look and act like a Labrador, you Read More

5 Little-Known Puppy Training Tips You’ll Be Glad You Found

I spend much of my time as a trainer working with young puppies. They’re little sponges, absorbing every bit of information we send their way – both good and bad. You’ll hear the same puppy training advice over and over: make sure to socialize your puppy, start potty training immediately, and the like. But in Read More

Your new puppy – 9 steps to get it right from the start

“I wonder if I’ve done the wrong thing … Perhaps I’m not capable of looking after a dog.” I don’t know exactly what had caused such a devastating loss of confidence in what 30was clearly a capable individual. But Gwen voiced a sentiment I come across from time to time. Her family had left home Read More

A Puppy Under the Tree

A puppy for Christmas is a gift that, as a professional trainer for over 10 years, I strongly encourage to be planned so that the entire family understands the commitment that gift comes with. Have no doubt: the pup will not be for the kids. The pup will be the responsibility of the adults in the family, and she will depend on them for her care.

Is Adopting a Greyhound Right for You?

The Greyhound will always hold a special place in my heart. They are a regal, gentle, loving breed. While built for speed, their true gift is their ability to segue from athlete into loving companion and perfect pet!

How Raising a Puppy is Like Parenting

Like a child, your pup’s early experiences are the foundation of their future. You are literally BUILDING your puppy’s brain. Do it thoughtfully, but also patiently and lightheartedly.

Help! My Puppy is Deaf. What Now?

Ultimately, what I’ve realized is that living with and training a deaf dog isn’t harder, it’s just different. Here are a few tips to help new deaf dog pet parents get started. I hope these help ease your anxiety and fears during this transition.

Veterinarians Are Standing Up Against Puppy Mills

"I don't understand how in a country of animal lovers, puppy mills can be tolerated," says Chicago veterinarian Dr. Scott Rovner. "Now, we've finally begun to speak up and do something about it; we need to."

So You Want a Puppy? Are You Sure?

I recently became the proud owner of a 10 week old Border Collie. Having had two previous Border Collies that passed away at the age of 14 I surmised I was savvy enough to do it again. The reality of my decision bit me pretty hard!

This Is Where Your Cute Pet Store Puppy Came From

Imagine if pet stores had to "display" the parents of each litter next to the puppies they sold. Do you think people would be a little more outraged? Do you think they would think twice about buying a pet store puppy?

Mom, we’re getting a puppy…a pit bull.

A while back I was reading a blog post (via My Two Pitties) about the moment she told her mother that she was getting a pit bull – and I couldn't help but notice how it was so very similar to our story. I will never forget the first time we met Lola. She was Read More

How-To: Socializing Your Puppy or Dog (Video)

Socialization is something that is often preached about when you have a dog. In fact, it is something I cover with all of my clients regardless of why I am there. This is because of how important it really is.

Case Closed in Cherokee County Puppy Mill Bust

Joy and Guerry Wise, the couple who owned and operated a massive puppy mill in Cherokee County, GA have now pled guilty to 25 counts of animal cruelty as part of a plea deal. They'll be on probation for the next 25 years, and were required to pay $1,305 each in court fines. The Wises must not Read More

The Post-Puppy Panic

Feeling overwhelmed after bringing home a new puppy? I'm going to call this phenomenon the "post-puppy panic."

Should You Think Twice About That Christmas Puppy?

Thinking about getting a puppy for Christmas? First, make sure you are ready for a 10-20 year commitment and can afford the money that it takes to raise a happy and secure dog. If all that is worked out, then you want to do your research to make sure you pick out the right breed for Read More

What Dog Breed is Right for Your Fitness Style?

I joined a gym. It was a painful decision because I had to admit a) I was out of shape and b) parts of my body were heading towards my toes. Now I know this is the first blog I'm writing for Positively.com and realize it should be something more inspirational-- something with an epiphany.. Read More

Crack, Not Crackers: Choosing the right reinforcer

Recently, I was chatting with a friend whose dog Grace is a goofy, floppy lab mix. She’s well-behaved but goes bonkers when she sees other dogs in the park. It’s friendly but intense: She leaps and lunges and yips until she pulls her way to the other dog. “It’s the craziest thing,” Grace’s person told Read More

Paris Hilton Buys $13,000 Pomeranian Puppy

The infamous Paris Hilton has made headlines again--this time because of her purchase of a $13,000 puppy. The puppy is claimed to be the smallest Pomeranian in the world. Should Paris be proud or ashamed of her decision to buy this pup?

Puppy High School

Thankfully, many people know and understand that puppies need lots of training, socialization, and focus on creating good impulse control when they are younger. But many stop at a few puppy classes, and don’t continue through adolescence. This could have dire consequences later on, when the puppy becomes a teenager and starts developing bad habits Read More

When and How to Train Your Puppy or New Rescue

Q. What are some of the benefits of training my dog? A. Training makes home life more manageable and fun for you and your dog. Next to basic health care, it’s the most important thing you can do for your pup. Best of all, training the dog you love is one of the best ways Read More

Puppy Comforts Whimpering Senior Dog

Whether the older dog is actually having a nightmare or just a dream, this video will melt your heart. Check out what happens when a Golden Retriever puppy hears his older friend whimpering in his sleep. It's these types of videos that reminds me just how incredibly intuitive and emotional dogs of all ages are. Read More

Victoria Talks Puppy Training on AMHQ

Victoria was featured on the Weather Channel's morning show, America's Morning Headquarters (AMHQ), where she had the chance to spend time with adoptable puppies from the Atlanta Humane Society. Many families choose to bring home a new puppy over the summer since the kids are home from school and everyone has more time to integrate Read More

Puppy Health Problems

Puppies are highly vulnerable to disease and other health issues. Every puppy parent should be aware of the most common health problems to affect dogs in their infancy. Parvovirus Parvo is a highly contagious virus that is potentially fatal for puppies, especially if not caught and treated immediately. Symptoms include lethargy, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, and sudden Read More

How To Choose The Right Dog Food

Finding the right food to feed your dog has never been more difficult. Ironically, this is because we live in an era when we have never had so much to choose from in the dog food aisle. Manufacturers both giant and small are producing more and more variations of foods theoretically targeted at everything from Read More

New York Governor Signs Puppy Mill Regulation Bill

In a huge animal rights victory, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill that gives local municipalities the ability to enforce their own laws regarding puppy mills, and the power to crack down on commercial dog breeding facilities harder than they have ever been able to in the past. Previously, the state had sole Read More

Puppy Mills

People have an ethical responsibility to raise and treat animals with care and respect. The evidence is overwhelming – puppy mills (farms) are no better than factory farms for dogs. Apart from being cruel and abusive places there are many reasons why a consumer must stay away from purchasing a puppy from a pet store, flea Read More