This is the final Perfect Pup Episode (at least for the foreseeable future). Thank you SO much for all of your support over the years! The world is full of conflicting information and methods for obtaining “success and happiness”. And in terms of dog training and behavior “success”, the conflicts and arguments of how to get there will make your head spin. The term and ideology to “train the dog in front of you” can be a grounding principle to help you make the best, most informed...

The caliber and talent of dogs competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is top-notch. Most of these dogs (and their humans) practice, compete, and work for months (and indeed, years) to get to this pinnacle of dog competition. On a warm spring day in Queens, I learned firsthand just how important our relationship with our dogs can be. Especially when times get tough. Surprisingly, these lessons were taught by the “slowest” timed dog at the agility trials… And I want to share...

There are many instances where you need to learn how to clean a puppy without bathing! Maybe they’re scared of water, they have a wound that can’t go underwater, or you just aren’t in a location with a good bath option. No matter the reason, we’re going to dive into how to clean a dog without a bath. And, these tips will even help you keep your pup smelling clean between baths! These tips are for dogs of all ages. And at the end of the article, we’ll also let you in on a...

Learning ways to train a dog faster is advantageous for you AND your pup! As you improve your skills as the teacher, it will in turn improve your dog’s ability to more quickly understand and generalize new behaviors. In this article, I’m going to break down 5 daily hacks to speed up your dog’s learning process and ultimately help you raise a well-mannered pup. Because who doesn’t want that?! Here’s a quick overview of the 5 daily hacks for training a dog faster: 1- Use mealtime for...

The most important way I’ve kept my house clean (with multiple dogs) is by cleaning my dog’s paws after each walk. While it may sound like a lot of work, it takes just a couple of minutes and can significantly reduce the amount of dirt, germs, and bacteria that enter your home! Plus, by handling your dog’s paws after each walk you get the chance to check for any issues like thorns, cracking, or other paw concerns. Here’s what we will cover in this video: -Why cleaning your dog’s...

Focusing on a dog’s recall training should be at the top of every pup parent’s to-do list! Not only can it keep your dog safe and give you peace of mind, but it ultimately gives you and your dog greater freedom and adventure in the long run. Whether training a puppy or an older dog, this article is going to break down everything (seriously) you need to know about recall training. And it’s not gonna be a boring “call your dog back and reward” type article, we’re gonna dive into some pro...

This is truly the last topic I want to write about, but I know how important it is and hopefully, it can help at least one person in this painful process. I want to provide my complete experience and answer common questions/concerns about dog euthanasia at home. The passing of a dog is extremely painful. I’d argue it’s personally one of the most challenging experiences of my life. In this article, I want to dive into all things in-home euthanasia because choosing this route for the...

Stumble into any community or group of pup parents (online or in person) and you’ll likely hear the debate about whether you should let your dog sleep in your bed! Some of us LOVE having our dogs sleep in the bed. Some of us HATE the idea of our pup potentially disturbing our sleep. While we won’t come to a complete resolution, because it’s a personal decision, my hope in this article is to clearly explain 3 pros and cons of letting your pup sleep in your bed. After that, it’s your...

When wondering how much freedom a puppy should have, remember this… The more freedom you give, the more opportunities you give a puppy to make mistakes. Mistakes? That’s things that aren’t really your pup’s fault (more on that later), but things we would see as problem behaviors. Things like destructive chewing, potty accidents, biting and nipping at kids, you name it! So to put it another way, your puppy should only have as much freedom as you’re willing to allow destruction and...

There are two principles and concepts that completely changed my understanding of training and raising a well-mannered dog. LIMA dog training and The Humane Hierarchy. The two are very interconnected and provide a framework for changing dog behavior in a thoughtful, humane, and effective manner. While these principles stand as an ethos and methodology for professional trainers and behaviorists, familiarity with the concepts will help you, the pup parent, feel vastly more confident and...

All dogs have butts. And similarly, many dogs will at one point or another scoot on their butt across the floor, grass, or even sidewalk (yep, it happens). While this behavior can be a bit embarrassing if guests are over, it’s actually something you should try to diagnose and resolve sooner rather than later. In most cases scooting is just a sign of full or irritated anal glands. But, in some cases, it can actually be a more serious sign of health problems! So, let’s learn all about...

While many people know grapes and chocolate are dangerous for dogs, did you know xylitol is poisonous for dogs too?! The artificial sweetener xylitol can cause major health problems, including death if ingested by a dog. So, in this article, we’re gonna dive into all things xylitol and pups so you can keep your good boy or girl safe! DISCLAIMER: If you believe your dog has ingested something with xylitol, call your vet or a pet poison control hotline immediately. Here’s what we...

Feeling sluggish? Not feeling mentally alert? Struggling to make decisions? You may just need to pet a dog… At least, that’s what the initial findings from a group of researchers have to say! While all research can have limitations, the findings of the effects of contact with a dog on prefrontal brain activity study are quite eye-opening. Let’s dive right into it. ⬇️ Each participant took part in 6 sessions, 3 that included a dog and 3 that included the plush toy. Every session...

While you may be wanting to know how many times a day you should walk your dog, I want to convince you in this article to think about this question differently! Before you close this tab, stick with me for a few minutes. I promise by the end of this article you’ll feel more confident in assessing your dog’s exercise needs each day.  And I know the sentiment of this question comes from a desire to make sure you’re meeting your dog’s needs, which is a fantastic thing! So I want to dig...

You come home to a chewed-up shoe, see your dog avoiding eye contact or making themself look small, and wonder… do dogs feel guilt? 🤔 The vast majority of pup parents believe that dogs feel guilt. But what does scientific research say? Alexandra Horowitz, a writer, professor, and researcher of dog cognition, conducted a study in 2009 to find out if our pups really can feel guilty! So let’s break down her study and find out for ourselves if your pup really feels guilty after they have an...

Running with your dog can be a very effective way to improve the health and happiness of your pup and you, the human! While jogging can be relatively straightforward, adding a dog to the mix will change how you approach this activity. I’ve been running with my dogs on an almost daily basis for the past few years and want to pass along 9 essential tips that will make running with your dog much easier and more enjoyable. Here is what we will cover: Assess your dog’s running capabilities ...

The choice to relinquish a dog to a shelter is often one that weighs heavily on the pup parent. It is in most cases seen as a last resort, and often one they’d rather not have to make. While I want to remain sensitive to anyone who has had to make that decision, it’s important to discuss the main reason why so many dogs are relinquished to shelters. Understanding the “why” behind relinquishment can hopefully help reduce the frequency! Some estimates put the number of dogs relinquished...

While most of us know the damage stereotypes can do to us humans, what role do they play for our pups?! We often put “labels” and stereotypes on our dogs that ultimately end up causing harm to them and specifically to their training. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can avoid these stereotypes and find more positive ways to look at your pup, regardless of breed! Here’s some of what we will cover: How “all dog”-style stereotypes don’t hold true Why you shouldn't get hung up on...

While most of our homes or apartments have the dog staples like a bed, water bowl, and toys, there are some truly unique dog household items that’ll make your life about 100x easier! And with how challenging raising a pup can be, I’ll take “easy” any chance I get! Here’s a quick overview of the 5 items + a bonus item: 1- Automatic/robotic vacuum: https://amzn.to/3yoK4ym 2- Enzymatic cleaner: https://pfrd.site/cleaner-enzymatic 3- Airtight dog food container:...

While most of us have heard the term ‘therapy dog’, what therapy dogs actually do remains a bit of a mystery to many! In this episode, I’ll be interviewing Monica Callahan to help us all gain a true understanding of what therapy dogs really do and how they improve lives everywhere! MEET MONICA CALLAHAN Monica Callahan has been a professional dog trainer for over 10 years and graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy in 2012. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Alliance...

While the idea of taking your pup with you to all the dog-friendly restaurants, cafes, and stores can seem extremely enticing, some dogs just aren’t built for it. And, that is okay! While social media often makes us believe otherwise, not every dog has to be out in public places with you. In this article, I want to help normalize and provide an empathetic view to those who don’t feel like their dog can handle public places. Here’s some of what we will cover: -Train (and raise) the...

I’m here to tell you first and foremost, dog mom (or dad) guilt is totally normal. Let that sink in for a second… We all want to be the absolute best pup parent and provide our dogs with a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life. But, sometimes we fall short. And that’s where the guilt comes in. In this article, I want to help break down what guilt really means, why dog parent guilt happens, and some actionable ways to help reduce those feelings of guilt. Here’s some of what we will...

While we often think of food as a dog’s strongest reinforcement, your attention (eye contact, petting/scratches, talking, etc) can be almost as strong as a reinforcer for your pup! Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years to instinctively look for and work for our attention. But, your attention can sometimes accidentally reinforce “bad” behaviors you do not want your dog to do… 😲 In this article, we’ll discuss how attention can be a reinforcer, why dogs care about our...

While jumping can seem cute when you have a small puppy, it drastically changes when that little pup turns into a full-grown dog. Understanding why dogs jump on you is key to overcoming this challenging behavior! Our dogs typically jump on us for 5 reasons, and we’re gonna dive into each one in this article! Here is a quick overview of why dogs jump up on you: -Dogs jump to greet you -Nervous or scared dogs may jump -Sometimes, jumping can be aggressive -They just want access to...