...because a tired dog is a good dog, that's why! Dog's need something to do. And if you don't direct them to what they CAN do...well, guaranteed they will find something. (and you might not be so happy about it!) You can take your dog for a walk or a jog or enjoy a game of fetch, but you can't be there all the time. Teaching a dog to entertain themselves is part of the process of raising them properly and that is where toys come into play. Toys allow your dog a way to exercise the mind and the body and thus, alleviate boredom (the nexus for most problem behaviors). Make sure you give your dog *the right* toys. Toys that aren't easily destroyed or mistaken for other household items make the best choices. Our preference for chew toys are those made of hard rubber or nylon. These items don't smell like the other things in your house, they are simple to clean up and dog's get satisfaction out of gnawing on them for hours. If you have a preference for giving your dog soft or plush toys but have a problem with them getting dissected, try using toys that have no stuffing like these Bottle Buddies. The dog's have fun with the crackling sound but there is no stuffing to be constantly picking off the floor. Avoid giving your dog household or personal items for toys. Things like old socks and shoes are not appropriate toys. We can't expect Fido to know the difference between the old and the new since it all smells pretty much the same from the dog's perspective. If you're dog shows very little interest in the toys you bring home, add some excitement to the presentation. Rather than just putting the toy on the floor make it a game of "you can't have it". This adds an element of intrigue to the new item. Dog's tend to want what they can't have...(remember how that puppy loved stealing and running off with your underwear?)...so if you play a little keep away when first introducing the toy you add interest and it becomes much more desirable for your dog to play with that toy! Toys are commonly an afterthought to your dog's routine but with the above insights in mind they can be part of a lifestyle that keeps you, your dog and your underwear happier. Check out this little clip of Diva and her Kong Wobbler. Diva vs the Kong Wobblerread more »

I love this photo. It was taken at a recent workshop I was teaching. It demonstrates all that a good relationship with your dog is about. Attention Attention is everything. If your dog has learned to pay attention to you (especially when you really need it most - during distracting circumstances!) then you have it all. You and your dog can embark on any adventure and know you will be safe and secure because Fido will listen and pay attention when you speak. Teaching a dog to pay attention involves getting their attention to begin with and then rewarding them for the behavior. One of the common mistakes I see people make is that they chatter and talk to their dog too much to begin with. We don't mean to, but we end up teaching our dogs to ignore the sound of our voice. Any intention is lost in the constant banter of "Oh, no, no...why did you do that, you know you should not jump on Uncle John, you should know better, now be a good dog and just go lay down?" It is far more successful to teach your dog the meaning of words like "sit" or "down" then simply use that one word and have your dog pay attention to it. Teach yourself to say what you mean and mean what you say. If you need some help...866-DOG-LADY or learn the skills at home. You can achieve the same picture with your dog, anywhere, anytime! Woof!read more »

Congratulations to Sarah Smith and Eileen Balcom -Vetillo who recently completed our one week foundation course at the TMD E-cademy. Sarah and Eileen spent the week working with their dogs, dogs in training with our board and train program and shelter dogs learning the basics of remote collar training.read more »

Our annual dog swim day in Dubuque was awesome. From the first tenuous steps to paddling with ease, all the dogs who joined us for the day made great progress.read more »