It happens almost every summer here in Chicago. Soaring temperatures. Heat indices through the roof. Excessive heat warnings. Air quality alerts. These heat waves can last several days or even longer. What do we do with our doggies during this oppressive heat? There are loads of enrichment activities our dogs can enjoy while staying cool and safe. Safety first First things first. Safety is paramount. Heat wave conditions are just as serious for dogs as they are for humans. Heat stroke in dogs can develop very quickly and can be life-threatening. Keep in mind the following safety tips during p ..read more

It's beautiful. Enchanting even. Almost magical. And it's not just for puppies. For adult dogs who enjoy the company of other dogs, providing opportunities to play and interact with their own species is critical for meeting social needs. Dog play also can be a powerful tool when addressing certain behavior concerns. Is it really play? I get it. Dog play can be scary for humans. Like, evolutionarily scary. Teeth are chomping. Bodies are pouncing. Sounds are roaring. How in the world can we scaredy humans understand the difference between healthy dog play and actual fighting? It's easier than y ..read more

Three years ago yesterday, my neighborhood came together to search for a newly-adopted fearful dog who ran off after being spooked. After 9 days and sub-zero temperatures, the village finally found her and reunited her with her distraught family. Meet Kitty. Kitty is a fearful dog. Her family loves her. Her village loves her. Kitty is not my client, but she and her wonderful humans are my neighbors. I've regularly seen Kitty on walks over the past 3 years. But, Kitty is a fearful dog so I keep my distance. Do I want to pet her? Of course. Do I want to give her a treat? Of course. Do I want he ..read more

You were let go from a job rather than fired. A loved one passed away, they didn't die. You purchased a pre-owned vehicle, not a used car. We use euphemisms like these all the time. An innocuous word or phrase to take the place of an unpleasant one. A milder version of something spicy. We do this because unpleasant things can be hard to talk about, or even think about. Using euphemisms is often about self-preservation. If I don't speak of the unpleasantness, it must not exist. Even if we aren't consciously making this decision, I suspect our brains are trying to protect us anyway. "Our pet do ..read more

I recently participated in a trainer round-up blog addressing popular misconceptions about what we dog guardians "should" and "should not" do with our dogs. Please enjoy my take on sharing human food, along with a little story about my dog, Sadie, and her love of apples. "It brings me such joy to share this food I love with this dog I love." Share and share alike Not only do I give you permission to give your dog "human" food, I encourage it! I share an apple with my dog, Sadie, almost every day. Picture the scene: I am on the couch. Sadie is in another room. I take one bite. Car-RUNCH. Sadie ..read more

Congratulations! You're moving to a new home, a new neighborhood, maybe even a new state. It's an exciting time, but probably hectic and stressful too. Moving to a new home is a huge life change that can be stressful for your dog too. Let's explore how you can help make the experience as worry-free as possible for your pup, both before and after the move. Safety first You're organized. You're prepared. You might even have a fancy-schmancy spreadsheet to help you track everywhere you need to update your address. Bank, cell phone provider, insurance, USPS. What about your dog? Don't forget to pu ..read more

My wonderful clients often tell me that their dog just isn't food motivated. I see this in action all the time, and it really can look like that! A dog turns her nose to a biscuit in the middle of learning the Down cue. Or, a freeze-dried liver nugget doesn't get a single nibble out on a walk. Even more baffling, a dog passes on rare roast beef in favor of barking and hiding under the table when a visitor comes through the door. These dogs really aren't food motivated, right? I promise, they are. How can I make such a bold assertion about fictitious dogs that I've never even met? It's because ..read more

Fourth of July is right around the corner, which means fireworks. It's a terrifying time for many dogs. For puppies, who are still discovering noises in our human world, it's a critical fear prevention time. "Start preparing your dog or puppy right now." Veterinarian If your dog already has a fireworks phobia, call your veterinarian today to discuss whether a short-term medication makes sense. Not all medications are created equal, so make sure to ask for details about how they work. It's a busy time for many veterinarians, so don't wait until the last minute to start this conversation. ID tag ..read more