Ever wonder what your dog’s facial expressions mean? Spoiler alert: It’s not always ‘I need a treat.’ Just like us, dogs use their faces to communicate a wide range of emotions. While their fur and different features might make it harder to decipher than human expressions, there are some telltale signs that can clue us into what they’re feeling. First off, let’s talk eyes. If your dog’s eyes are relaxed, slightly closed and not wide/tense, that can mean they’re content and happy. Squinting or blinking slowly can also be a sign of trust and affection, much like when a human gives a warm smile ..read more

Imagine a friend is poking fun at you and you’re both laughing but then they start taking it too far. It started out funny, but now you’re not loving it anymore. “Okay, hey, that’s enough,” you might say. Your reaction is a natural warning signal. For dogs, that natural signal is a growl, and it’s every bit as valuable as our human expressions of discomfort. Growling is not a sign of a bad dog; it’s part of their language. It’s how our dogs say, “I’m not okay with this right now.” It could be a stranger coming onto their territory, or guarding a high-value toy, or feeling overwhelmed at the d ..read more

The holidays are here, and your dog is… well, over there… and moving fast! You’d love for your dog to hold their position for the perfect Christmas photo, or to simply not jump on Gramma when she comes through the door. Teaching a solid stay can be fun and quick! Let’s get started…but first a pro tip: Even puppies can hold a STAY if you keep close and give frequent treats! Don’t Go Anywhere! When teaching STAY, most people want to step away from their dog immediately, but teaching the dog to hold their position for a period of time before you step away will build the strongest STAY.  No ..read more

Imagine you are preparing for a leisurely walk with your four-legged friend, ready to enjoy the outdoors together. But as soon as you step outside, your pup’s excitement takes over, turning what should be a relaxing stroll into a tug-of-war. Comfortable dogs being walked with Y-shaped harnesses. Dealing with a dog that pulls relentlessly on the leash isn’t just an inconvenience; it can have an impact on your dog’s well-being. The good news is that there’s a solution: selecting the right harness. You can regain control and transform frustrating walks into enjoyable adventures. Let’s explore t ..read more

Taking great photos of your beloved dog can be a delightful way to capture their personality and create lasting memories. However, it’s no secret that getting dogs to pose for the camera can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where positive reinforcement dog training comes in. By using this gentle and effective approach, you can set your dog up for success and get stunning photos that truly showcase their unique charm. Let’s explore how to employ positive reinforcement training to help your dog shine in every shot. Joyfully Fetching – Photo by Kara Hamiliton Building a Positive Association: Ju ..read more

Fleece Navidad? With the holidays coming up, maybe you want to make your dog an extra special gift with your own hands? And hey, if you make more than one, you could turn it into a donation for shelter dogs… either way, we have an awesome DIY project for you! These hardy fleece rope toys are the BEST for tug games. Here are the materials you’ll need: Fabric scissors Polar fleece type fabric (check your local thrift stores and upcycle a blanket!) You’ll want long strips – at least 45″ for an (approx.) 2 ft tug. You’ll need 4 strips 3-5 inches wide, depending upon how thick you want your final ..read more

Summer is here – 7 Tips for Safer Travel With summer here, you may be thinking about taking your dog on some new adventures out of town. You could have an unforgettable experience – but hopefully not for the wrong reasons! Here are some easy things you can do to make road trips with your dog a success. Joy in front of El Capitan at Yosemite National Park. My dog Joy loves to travel because I’ve helped her love it, all her life. Even when she was a puppy, we went many places to have fun, make friends, and train together with lots of play and rewards. Recently, I made a plan to go on an extend ..read more

Earning Certifications, Getting Hired, There’s A Lot to Be Excited About! We want to send out a big congratulations and a Thank You to so many of the students and mentors who have shared great stories with us so far this year. We are thrilled for your success! In celebration of another great year, we put together a collection of photos and quotes from you, our community of students and mentor trainers. Cheers, it’s your passion and success that drives us every day… “I passed my CPDT-KA exam!!! I owe it all to CATCH. Please tell the team I said thanks so much for all the awesome mentorship and ..read more

Meet Featured Student Chris Weber and Murphy the Belgian Malinois Chris started out as a Sherriff and wanted to advance his knowledge of training and behavior, so he began studying with CATCH. He was a hobby trainer previously and does some fun Schutzhund training with his dogs. After deepening his knowledge of training and behavior, the sheriff’s department promoted him to K9 unit. Fantastic work, Chris! “My learning experiences have impacted how I look at dogs each day in a number of ways. One example would be how I see dogs in public. I tend to watch the dogs’ body language more now to see ..read more

Seven Separation Anxiety Myths by Nicole Wilde As a canine behavior specialist, I’ve seen my share of dogs over the years who suffered from separation anxiety. The vast majority of my clients have been able to modify their dog’s distress when left alone, and I felt confident in my knowledge of the issue. Then my husband and I adopted a two-year-old husky mix from our local shelter, and everything changed. ​Sierra didn’t exhibit the classic signs of separation anxiety, namely, destruction, urination and/or defecation, and vocalization. We’d leave her loose in the house alone and return to find ..read more