Really growing the pet dog parent game means flexing some next-level sustainability vibes that help protect our planet. Dive into these outside-of-the-box pet activities with your dog and you’ll be not only leveling up your pet’s life but also dropping some serious eco-consciousness into your relationship with your special pup (or pups).   Easy earth-friendly pet activities Checking labels and thinking mindfully about pet-related choices can quickly reduce waste or support sustainably produced pet products. Here are just a couple to get your mind ticking. Eco-Friendly Dog Toys Opt for toy ..read more

The Dual Role of Pet Parent and Good Neighbor: It’s More Than Just Picking Up Poop!     One thing you and I probably share is a deep love for animals especially dogs. We’ll always have that common ground to chat about. But what about people with whom you don’t have that immediate common connection? Not only do we regularly bump into dog people who treat animals differently than we do – there are also people who aren’t really all that keen on having animals around them at all! No, I don’t understand that either.   People find personal joy in different ways Animals, especially dog ..read more

  As the cold winds and early nights of winter settle in, there’s something truly magical about cocooning ourselves and our furry friends in warmth and comfort. As pet parents, we understand the joy of sharing these moments with our pets, creating a cozy haven to weather the chill. Join me in celebrating the season of snug with our curated list of creature comforts, designed to make winter a time of joy, connection, and warmth.   Six favorite creature comforts for winter   Indulge in a movie marathon Dive into the enchanting worlds of your favorite movie series. Whether it’s t ..read more

As a pet parent, do you ever wonder if you’re doing enough or do you ever find yourself comparing your parenting with what you see other pet parents doing with or for their pets? Are you consumed by guilt every time you have to leave your pup or kitty alone or decide to say no to something that would be good for them? (Like that uber-expensive spa treatment or therapy?) Trust me, you’re not the only one dealing with pet parent guilt!   I’m constantly finding myself staying home instead of heading out to do something I’d really like to do. I work hard and although I know I need and deserve ..read more

Getting a new dog? After getting food, leash, crate, bed, toys, etc. you’ll need to start thinking about building your community of professionals who can help you out. As a professional dog trainer, I meet a lot of new pup parents who want to start their new family member off right but are so confused by all the conflicting information out there. Everything from friend’s advice to articles and videos all seem so contradicting! On top of that the dog training industry is currently unregulated so how do you find the right professional in the first place? Add to this the wide price ranges and var ..read more

The 2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Dog Lovers   ‘Tis the season, dog lovers!   Finding the perfect gift for your dog and dog-obsessed friends and family can be tricky. But it’s so worth it to see their huge smile when they unwrap that pawsome present!   If you’re on the hunt for dog-riffic gifts, look no further. You’re sure to find something outrageously fun, quirky, adorable or practical for the dog-loving people and dogs in your life below.   A personalized throw pillow Who wouldn’t love a custom throw pillow of their beloved dog? I know I would love to have something like ..read more

Help Kids Understand Dog Communication   Teaching kids how to communicate with pets is VITAL for living peacefully together. Understanding animal-talk requires teaching. Dogs make all sorts of different sounds in different situations: growls, barks, whimpers, whines, howls, yelps and more. And their body language says a lot, too. It’s difficult for young kids to understand exactly what their pet is “telling” them. Young kids often want to show affection for their pets in the same way they do to other people. They love giving hugs and kisses to their dog but this often scares the pup or ma ..read more

Boredom is the worst. When I’m bored, I find myself rummaging through the refrigerator eating anything I can find or mindlessly scrolling through social media. Yuck! It’s not just us humans who fall into bad habits though. Dogs do too.   One of the easiest ways to keep your dog blissfully busy is exercise. Even on a busy day I can take my dogs on a quick walk through the neighborhood or grab a favorite toy and head out to the backyard.   While physical exercise is important for dogs, they also need to keep their brains busy too! Here’s my quick tips to enrich your dog’s environment t ..read more

While face mask restrictions are being lifted in some parts of the world, this isn’t the case everywhere. And, since dogs depend pretty heavily on being able to read a person’s facial expressions, a masked person can leave them feeling confused, and possibly even scared. This may not be an issue when it’s you that’s wearing the mask. After all, your dog has learned to read your emotions in other ways too, from your scent to your body language. However, problems often arise when a dog encounters a stranger wearing a mask. If you’ve noticed that your dog seems to feel uncomfortable in thi ..read more