By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc The vet clinic lobby is the first exposure a pet has to the veterinary care experience.  The cheerful colors, soft comfortable seating and happy-face pet photos on the walls are common features.  The seating usually offers an open, clear view of the front desk.  The vet clinic lobby is a pet patient’s first encounter when they enter the vet clinic.  Is it a calming environment?  Is it stressful? Or is it a terrifying place for the pet patient?  Does the experience there help set them up for success in the exam room? &n ..read more

By:  Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc      “He won’t do anything I ask unless I have a treat!”    If this sounds familiar, then read on….   Committed owners may feel like there has been no progress with their training when they try to reduce rewards and this happens.  Contrary to what many assume, it may not actually be an issue rooted in the training itself.  Rather, it can have many causes (and varied solutions) that go a little deeper, which we will explore further below.    While it is common to talk about “paying” your dog fo ..read more

Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc "Leadership" is one of those hot button words in the companion animal world that divides owners as to its meaning or if it is even relevant. Part of the confusion is that the world it is heavily co-opted by those who subscribe to long ago debunked ideology that dogs needing to be physically dominated or else they will over run their owners. “Leadership” has been an excuse for people to physically and psychologically abuse their animals in the name of training -- sometimes knowingly, but likely more often done inadvertently. But is that what leadership ..read more

By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Grief and sudden loss bring about deep and lasting emotions. It forces change upon us whether we want it or not. New situations require us to evolve as we piece together a life without a loved one. Anyone who has lost a sibling, a spouse, or close family or friend may understand this from personal experience. It is even worse when you live with that individual because the daily reminders of your loss are there throughout the day as routines change, and challenges come but that important support person is no longer physically there. This is no different ..read more

By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc Pulling is not just a human problem, and not just a big dog/small owner problem. No-pull equipment is a generic “catch-all” term to describe a wide assortment of products that reduce pulling by differing means. Who really needs no-pull equipment anyway? Let's take a comprehensive and scientific (not subjective) look at these issues. Are they good? Bad? Effective? Cruel? Necessary? The truth is that they are frequently lumped into a single category of tools considered controversial but in fact, they vary significantly in how they function depending ..read more

By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA I decided to write this blog because in some parts of the country, a low percentage of owners partake in early training (before six months old) with their puppies, whether the training is performed by them, in a group class, or private training. I think there are likely a multitude of reasons for this, but what I do know is that some level of early training is imperative for all dogs. Getting an early start with this type of training the better it is for your dog in the long term. Dogs that attended training prior to 6 months of age had significantly re ..read more

by: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA I have long considered attention and interaction with a favorite human to be a prized resource for most dogs who have a good relationship with their person. After all, there is a limited amount to go around. Any of us can feel stretched thin at times with our busy lives full of work and responsibilities. With the exception of aloof or semi-feral dogs, I personally believe that most household dogs likely want more actively engaging human interaction than they are receiving. One of the common complaints that I hear from owners are that their dogs won't st ..read more

By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Pet parents may view guarding behavior as scary, but it is very normal since it is what dogs have been bred to do from an evolutionary perspective to ensure survival. It may not be wanted, but it is what they do unless we teach them otherwise and ensure that they feel secure in their access to resources. After all, we hold all the cards. We make all the decisions with little to no input or influence from them, so it is no wonder that dogs can feel insecure at times. Still, pet parents may not recognize guarding behaviors as such and therefore may miss e ..read more

Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Mounting behavior is one of the most misunderstood behaviors that nearly all owners witness their dogs perform at some point during their lives. The reasons for mounting can vary widely, regardless of the age, breed, sex, or spay/neuter/intact status of the dog. I find that owners tend to be less surprised when this behavior happens with young, growing puppies prior to spaying/neutering, but they may become concerned if their spayed/neutered dog is displaying this behavior. Most of the time, the behavior is not sexual, including when it involves intact dogs ..read more

by: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA Canine body language is a tricky thing. Common knowledge of its meaning often is not true or lacks the necessary complexity. Such as a wagging tail meaning that a dog is friendly. A sweeping tail with broad strokes at mid-line with loose relaxed body language would indicate a happy, friendly dog. A tucked tailed that is wagging with tense body language and ears pinned back to the neck would indicate a nervous dog. A dog with a tail up like a flag that is wagging in narrow strokes in a stiff tall-dog posture, hackles raised, is on alert and moving forwar ..read more