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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Doggy Dan’s Guide to Safe Muzzle Use for Dogs
If you have an aggressive dog—or a dog who has the potential to be aggressive—you may have to consider using a muzzle. That being said, a lot of people don’t understand when it’s appropriate to use a muzzle or what type of muzzle is the safest choice for their dog. For that reason, I want […]
How to Introduce Your Dog to a New Baby (And a special FREE gift for you at the end)
If you’re reading this, it’s very possible that you… Just found out you’re pregnant. Just brought a new baby home from the hospital. Know a family member or friend that just had a baby. In any case, I want to say congratulations! I am so thrilled for you! As a father myself, I know how […]
5 Training Exercises to Prepare Your Dog for a New Baby (And a special FREE gift for you at the end)
Bringing a new baby home is an exciting, stressful, chaotic, and joyful time in a person’s life. It’s a big event that often requires new parents to make lifestyle changes in order to accommodate the needs of their new bundle of joy. That being said, people aren’t the only ones affected by this type of […]
Dog Ownership: 8 Things to Consider Before You Adopt a Dog
When you’re seriously considering adding a dog to your family… You might start wondering… What is the best kind of dog breed? Should I adopt from a shelter? How do I choose the perfect dog for myself or my family when there are so many different types of dogs out there? In my personal opinion, […]
Common German Shepherd Behavioral Problems and Personality Traits
Over the years working as a dog trainer, I’ve probably worked with as many German shepherd dogs as any other breed. Most often, they are an incredibly loyal breed, are devoted to their owners, and have really sweet and fun personalities. And so, to those of you who love the breed and wouldn’t consider anything […]
Recall Training: How to Get a Dog to Come When You Call
There’s nothing scarier than watching your dog run off across the beach, down the street, or through the woods while you helplessly call for him to come back to you without any luck. It only takes seconds, for a dog to vanish before your eyes—all because your dog is excited and decided to chase a […]
Begin a Dog Training Career: What it Takes to Become a Great Dog Trainer
If you’ve thought about becoming a dog trainer, but aren’t quite sure you have what is takes to become a great dog trainer, you’re not alone. In fact, there are tons of dog-lovers around the world who dream of living a life where they get up every morning and actually get paid to work with […]
How to Stop Dog Barking: Doggy Dan’s Ultimate Guide
Out of all the bad dog behaviors that exist, how to stop dog barking has to be one of the most frustrating issues to deal with. Think about it… If your dog has a barking problem, it’s unlikely that you’re able to control when he barks. This can lead to his howling keeping you up […]
How to Overcome Your Fear of Aggressive Dogs to Become a Dog Trainer
If you’re somebody who’s thought about becoming a dog trainer, but you’ve been put off because you’re concerned about the dangers of working with aggressive dogs, you’re not alone. In fact, I encounter people every day who absolutely love dogs, but who also have fears about working with them–especially if they have aggressive tendencies. If […]
Best Behaved Dog Breeds: Does Breed Determine a Dog’s Personality?
I often get asked the question, “What are the best behaved dog breeds?” And here’s my answer… The idea that a breed can determine a dog’s personality is one of the biggest dog myths in the world. There’s simply not such thing as a “best behaved dog breed.” For example, people assume that if you […]
Vet Tech Careers: 5 Reasons Vet Techs Make Great Dog Trainers
If you read the title of this blog, and it made you smile or caused you to become intrigued, it’s possible that you work as a vet tech in your local animal hospital. First of all, I want to say thank you for doing a thankless job. I know how hard you work to ensure […]
Correcting Bad Dog Behavior: Why Your Dog Is like a Mirror
A lot of people ask me, how do I train my dog? Or even more important, how do I go about correcting bad dog behavior that already exists? And the answer is always this. When it comes to training a dog it’s important that we first start with a solid foundation. That’s where you get […]
The Ultimate Guide to Dealing with Dangerous Dog Aggression Issues
Dog aggression. It’s one of the biggest reasons that people… Dump their dogs on the side of the road. Send their dogs to shelters. Have their dogs euthanized. It’s heartbreaking and tragic, but it happens every day. Why? Because people truly don’t believe that there is hope to change the behaviour of a dog. And […]
Doggy Dan’s Dog Training Tips: Why Smart Dogs Need Smart Owners
Out of all the animals in the world, dogs appear to be one of the smartest. Think about it for a minute… Your dog knows when you’re sad, angry or happy. He knows when it’s mealtime without being able to read a clock. He can sense danger when a stranger knocks at the door. And […]
Dog Adoption: When Is the Best Time to Adopt a Dog?
If you’ve been thinking about adding a four-legged addition to your home, you may be asking yourself the following questions… “Should I get a puppy or should I rescue a dog?” “Do I need to get a puppy so I can form a better bond with him?” “How long does it take for a dog […]
Dog Training: The Power of Mind Space Connections in Dogs
Hi there! Today, I want to share with you something that I call “mind space.” I coined the term after something that kept happening to me when I was walking one of my dogs–my dear dog Tamar, who has since passed away. Over the years that I had Tamar, it became very apparent that she […]