As pet parents, it's essential to understand our dogs' behavior and how they react to various stimuli. Recognizing your dog's trigger zones can help you support them better and create a safer and more comfortable environment for them. In this post, we'll delve into the five trigger zones for dogs and how you can identify and respond to each one. The Neutral Zone ​In the Neutral Zone, your dog shows no noticeable behavioral changes. They continue with their usual activities as if they don’t notice the trigger. In this phase, you would likely have a lot of success if trying to acclimate your d ..read more

Love languages, a concept popularized by Dr. Gary Chapman in his book "The 5 Love Languages," refer to the different ways individuals express and experience love. According to Chapman, there are five primary love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each person has a primary and sometimes secondary love language, which dictates how they prefer to give and receive love from others. ​ These love languages provide valuable insights into understanding and strengthening relationships, as they emphasize the importance of expressing aff ..read more

Get to know your dog These enthusiastic, outgoing, and sometimes impulsive breeds are known for their intelligence, affection, and strong drive to learn. They were selectively bred during the middle ages for specific traits to assist in hunting. Nowadays, their primary function is to work alongside people and in cooperation with them, often making them an ideal family dog. Gun Dogs include but are not limited to breeds such as: American Water Spaniel, Boykin Spaniel, Brittany Spaniel, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, English Pointer, English Setter, English Springer ..read more

Resilience is the ability to adapt successfully or recover quickly from stressful or exciting situations, events, or conditions. Just like us, dogs face various stressors and changes, from loud noises and unfamiliar environments to health issues and training difficulties. A resilient dog can handle and navigate these obstacles with confidence and ease, maintaining their well-being and happiness along the way. Why does resilience matter in our family dogs? Because it directly impacts their overall quality of life and well-being. A resilient dog is better equipped to handle the ups and down ..read more

The power of patterns in raising our dogs...  Think about your daily life. How many patterns can you recognize throughout your day?  Your bedtime routine, the side of the bed you sleep on, your wake-up routine, how you get your kids ready for school or how you get ready for work, your shower routine, how you brush your teeth, how you tie your shoes, the route you take to work... Patterns are powerful and they offer our brain a chance to not have to process what is going to happen next. They offer predictability and therefore a feeling of safety and security. The same is true for ou ..read more

The Behavior Road Block Ever work with your dog, feel like you're making good momentum, and then get STUCK somewhere in the process? Me too. In this blog post, I'm going to share some pro tips with you to help you assess what might be going on and how to start making progress again Let's look at the 4 different ways you can EVAL where things are not working... Before we jump in, I do want to stress the importance of having your Veterinarian on board and aware of any sudden behavior changes in your dog. More often than not, sudden changes are linked to underlying medical issues that show up in ..read more

15 Easy Boredom Buster Recipes you can try with your family dog today! What is Enrichment? Enrichment is more than just play and food— it's a way of meeting your dog's physical, mental, and emotional needs so they can feel more like... well... a dog. It's about engaging their natural instincts, providing mental stimulation, and creating an environment that fosters joy and curiosity. The Benefits of Canine Enrichment: Mental Stimulation: Just like us, dogs need mental workouts on a regular basis. Enrichment activities challenge them, helping to keep them sharp, focused, and en ..read more

If your dog struggles with guests, having multiple people over for a family meal can be really exciting or really terrifying for them. ​Here are a some quick tips to help your dog TODAY, tomorrow, or in the future Time to Leash Up When expecting visitors, it's important to have a way to prevent problem-behaviors from occurring. When your dog wears a leash in the house, you have a better ability to manage unwanted behaviors, like jumping on guests, getting too close to the table, or exploring areas they shouldn't. If you have a dog who gets really excited when the leash goes on, it would pr ..read more

A Thank You letter to Dog Moms/Dad raising shy & worried pups Raising me probably hasn’t been easy. I want to let you know that I understand how much you give up for me on a regular basis. I recognize your efforts and how you stick up for me. Keep Reading... First... A casual trail walk… well, there’s nothing casual about walking with me. My worry probably feeds right up the leash and you probably feel that same worry. Is someone coming? Is there another dog? Kids? Are they going to try to approach me? How will I handle it? There’s so much for you to think about. I get that and love ..read more

So often, we move throughout our day with our dog just hoping we made the right choices and did what was best for our dog. ​ The guilt can really pull at us, especially when we are also balancing all the other scattered moments of everyday life. And let's face it. Modern-day dog-raising is not how it used to be. ​ Laura and Sheba I remember growing up with my Doberman as a kid and constantly being growled at over a bone, yet still taking it from her - and having to chase her across Main St because the contractor left the fence open (true story - socks and all. Good thing she sta ..read more