10 Things I Want Every Dog Lover to Know…
(In celebration of our online anniversary!) While I’ve been training dogs for many years, this August marks the 10th anniversary of taking my training methods and creating an online program for dog owners around the world. How wild is that? I have so much gratitude for the opportunities that my career as a dog trainer […]
5 Fun Brain Games to Test Your Dog’s Intelligence
Dogs are incredibly smart animals. It’s no surprise as they can be trained to do all kinds of amazing things, such as serve as service animals or aid the police or military to accomplish important tasks. In fact, dogs are so brilliant that, if you don’t take the time to keep them mentally stimulated, they […]
How Much Do You Love Your Dog Checklist
5 Key Areas of Canine Care that Must Not Be Neglected I want to ask you a serious question… When was the last time you thought about how much you love your dog? I know that might sound like a weird question to ask as most of us truly believe we love our dogs. But, […]
Doggy Dan’s Ultimate Summer Holiday Safety Guide
By far one of the best things about summer is the parties! From 4th of July firework shows to backyard BBQ and pool parties, there is no shortage of opportunities to get together with friends and family and celebrate everything this season has to offer. For us humans, this time of year is a lot […]
10 Awesome Father’s Day Gifts for Dog Dads
Father’s Day is just around the corner. And, while this holiday is typically celebrated for dads with human kids, we think it’s just as important to honor all the dog dads around the world too. After all, being a dog dad is a big responsibility. From daily walks to vet appointments and cleaning up the […]
3 Common Misconceptions About What Makes a Dog Aggressive
If you watch the news or read the paper, it’s likely that you’ve come across a story about someone getting attacked by a dog. And I bet you that 9 out of 10 times, the dog in the story is some sort of large male dog—perhaps a specific breed, like a Pitbull or German Shepherd. […]
Jack’s Intuition: A Dog’s Amazing Ability to Understand Life and Death
It’s almost a year ago that my beloved dog peanut passed away. And on that day something very mysterious occurred. It’s taken me all this time to get to a place where I was ready to tell this story. But, I’ve reached the point in which I’m ready to share. So today I’d like to […]
The Pros and Cons of Puppy Training Classes
You’ve just brought home your adorable new puppy, and what happens?… He pees on your carpet… And starts chewing on your shoes. Time for puppy training classes? My answer is maybe— All dogs need some form of training in order to live happy, relaxed lives, but is Puppy School really the best answer? There are […]
Food Aggression: Why Some Dogs Feel the Need to Aggressively Protect Their Dinner
Food aggression is a dangerous behavioral issue that often results in accidental injuries to both humans and other household pets. The worst part… While this type of behavioral issue is often found in dogs who have been rescued from neglectful situations, the behavior also pops up frequently in dogs who don’t have a proper training […]
Winter Skin and Paw Care: How to Keep Your Dog Healthy in Cold Weather
It’s a scorcher here in New Zealand! But a lot of folks in the Northern Hemisphere are having other problems… During the winter months, it’s common for humans to suffer from dry skin or chapped lips. The reason: cold weather literally sucks the moisture out of us. What you might not know is that dogs […]
Should I Get Rid of My Dog? What to Do If Your Dog Bites
Dogs—while they are amazing, beautiful, wonderful creatures—are animals. And, anytime you’re spending time with an animal, there’s the potential for something to go wrong. Thankfully, over decades and decades of breeding and training, our pups have become so domesticated that they are mostly lovers, not fighters. However, there are many factors such as… Age Training […]
Why Does My Dog Sniff That? The Science Behind Your Dog’s Incredible Sense of Smell
Do you ever wonder why your dog’s nose is always running a mile a minute? The answer is simple: A dog’s sense of smell is his most powerful sense. A dog can use his nose to sniff out food, his friends, and danger from miles away. So, even when we can’t smell anything around, it’s […]
6 Great Reasons to Foster a Dog in Need
According to the ASPCA, over 7.6 million cats and dogs end up in shelters every year. What’s even worse…according to the statistic, only 2.7 million of them end up finding homes. That means nearly 4.9 million animals are put down every year, simply because they can’t find homes and shelters can’t care for them all. […]
7 Winter Safety Myths about Dogs You Shouldn’t Believe
During the summer months, there’s a lot of talk about the dangers of leaving your dogs out in the summer heat. However, once winter rolls around, people don’t seem to be as concerned about the temperatures. Of course, it’s common for people to remind dog owners to bring their pups indoors overnight when the weather […]
ScritchSpot: The Must-Have App Doggy Dan Recommends for All Dog Owners
If you enjoy technology, there’s a good chance you have a variety of apps on your computer, phone, or tablet. And, if you love dogs, it’s likely that a handful of those apps have to do with dog care. I myself even have a few dog-related apps I use from time to time that are […]
Dog Chewing: How to Keep Your Dog from Destroying Your Stuff
If you’ve ever had a dog… Chew up your brand-new shoes Gnaw on your furniture Tear up your carpet …you’re not alone. One of the most common behavioral issues dog owners come across is chewing. (See how I’ve helped train over 37,000 dogs- many of which had a bad chewing habit here!) This makes sense […]
The Dog Calming Code: My #1 Secret to Successfully Training Over 37,000 Dogs
If you’ve been asking yourself any of the following questions… When did I lose the love for owning my dog? When did it stop being fun to have my dog around? What would my life look like if I had a training manual for my dog? …then it’s possible that your dog’s behavior has become […]
Dog Safety: What to Do If You Encounter an Aggressive Dog
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year. Out of those 4.7 million bites, 800,000 of them result in the need for medical care. According to these statistics, 1 out of every 69 people in the US has been bitten by a […]
The Great Shave Debate: 5 Things to Consider Before You Shave Your Dog
For years, dogs owners, dog trainers, and even veterinarians have argued about whether it’s ok, or even beneficial, to shave your dog’s coat. So…to shave or not to shave…what is the right choice? As a dog owner myself, I know that the answer isn’t necessarily black or white. In fact, there are many factors (both […]
Why Does My Dog Do This?…10 Odd Dog Behaviors Defined
It’s no secret that dogs and humans often exhibit very different behavioral habits. After all, if you walked around sniffing others people’s butts in an attempt to get to know them, you might be sent in for a mental evaluation. Yet, some of these odd behaviors—like sniffing butts or rolling around in stinky things—are very […]
How to Determine If Your Dog’s Bad Behavior Is Caused by Boredom or Stress
As a dog trainer, I am often approached with questions about different dog behavioral problems. Some people believe the issues that arise due to boredom are caused by lack of exercise or a lack of attention given to a dog. And these things certainly can make the behavior worse. However, many of these behaviors are […]
10 Things Humans Do That Dogs Struggle to Understand
Do you ever wonder… Why your dog stares at you blankly while you play games on your phone? Why your pup feels the need to bark and growl at the vacuum cleaner? Why your pooch chooses to hang out in the other room while you’re watching a sporting event? Everyday rituals like playing on our […]
The TOP 3 Dog Popsicle Recipes of ALL TIME! (That Your Pup Can Indulge in This Summer)
Everyone loves indulging in a cold treat on a hot day—even your dog! That being said, a lot of human treats, like… Dairy-based ice cream Sugar-laden popsicles Artificially flavored slushies …aren’t a healthy or safe option for your pup. Not to mention, if your dog is obese, those fat and sugar-filled treats could contribute to […]
7 Life Lessons from My Beloved Dog Peanut
At the end of April 2018, my beloved dog Peanut passed away at the age of 13 and a half.I always believed that she came into this world to change lives and help us understand dogs and ourselves better.Now, looking back, I also realize she was one of the greatest life teachers I could have […]
Dog Obesity: Is My Dog’s Weight Damaging His Health?
As dog lovers, we want to do everything possible to provide our pups with the best life ever. And sometimes, that means spoiling our dogs with all sorts of treats, chews, and table scraps. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. However, I do believe that moderation is key. I’ve gone to far too […]