There is something incredibly unfair about loving a dog. We give them our whole hearts, knowing from the very beginning that someday, somehow, we will have to say goodbye. We know they don't live long enough. But somehow, we don't really "feel" it until we begin to see the changes. The slower walks. The longer naps. The hesitation before jumping up. The medications lined up on the counter. The diagnoses we never wanted to hear. And sometimes, the hardest part isn't knowing th

The leaves are beginning to change, the mornings are a little cooler, and suddenly our summer routines are shifting. For us, fall may mean earlier sunsets, different work schedules, school starting, cooler temperatures, and changing the time we head out for our daily walks. For our dogs, though, these changes can be a little confusing. Dogs are creatures of habit. They learn patterns. They learn what happens after breakfast, when the leash comes out, when their humans leave f

As Canine Behavior Consultants, we often hear this question: “Why does my dog do that? It doesn’t make any sense.” Your dog barks at the friendly neighbor. He lunges at a dog he has met before. She refuses to walk down a particular street. He knows “sit” perfectly at home but suddenly seems to have forgotten every cue at the veterinary clinic. From the outside, these behaviors can look irrational. But behavior isn't always sensible. Very often, behavior is emotional. And when

"But he was giving kisses! I thought he loved it." It's one of the most common misunderstandings with dog body language: A dog is being hugged, petted, or approached and they begin licking the person's hands, face, or arms. The human smiles and says, "Aww...he's giving me kisses!" Maybe. Or maybe your dog is politely asking you to stop. Licking Isn't Always Affection Dogs use body language far more than vocalizations to communicate. While licking can absolutely be a sign of a

July 13 was supposed to be a day off from seeing clients. Wayne was out running errands with our one car. We only have one because we both typically work from home. I was catching up on follow-up work and answering emails when my phone buzzed with an evacuation alert. I had to read it three times before it really sank in. Was this real? I immediately called Wayne and told him to come home so we could get Chobani and leave. Even though we have an emergency "go" list taped to

Fun Indoor Activities With Your Canine 🐶 Here are some fun inside-the-house games you can do to keep your dog active and stimulated during the "dog days" of summer. These games will also assist in reinforcing the training you have done with your dog. Find it!- This game involves hiding tiny bits of a treat throughout the house. Your dog will need to use his/her nose to seek them out. Start with putting a treat next to your dog and say, “find it!” to teach that the phrase mea

If You're Afraid of Spiders, Why Would I Lock You in a Closet Full of Them? Imagine for a moment that you are terrified of spiders. Not mildly uncomfortable. Not "I'd rather not touch one." Truly terrified. Your heart races when you see one. Your palms sweat. Your breathing changes. Every instinct in your body screams, "Get away!" Now imagine that I decide the best way to help you overcome your fear is to lock you in a small closet filled with spiders. Would that make you fee

While you’re lighting up the skies with celebration, your dog might be preparing for what they’re convinced is the literal apocalypse. At Canine Companion Consulting, we care deeply about your dog’s emotional and physical safety. So here are our top tips to help your dog this "holiday." This year, July 4th falls on a weekend and is a significant milestone year, the 250th, which may mean weekend-long or even week-long celebrations, so we recommend you plan for multiple days.

If your dog has met Wayne, chances are they know him as "The Treat Guy." Dogs light up when they see him. Tails wag. Eyes sparkle. They eagerly run over to say hello. People often laugh and say, "Of course my dog likes him, he has treats!" Exactly. And that's why you should carry treats too. Treats Are More Than Food Many people think treats are simply rewards for training sessions. While they certainly are useful for teaching new behaviors, treats are much more powerful than

When people contact us for help with their dog, one of the first things we recommend is an evaluation, or as we prefer, an assessment. In most cases, people are eager and ready to learn what is happening and understand their dog. Other times we hear, “Can’t you just tell me what to do?” or “Why do we need an assessment first?” The truth is, assessments are one of the most valuable parts of the behavior and training process. They help us understand not just what your dog is do

One of the biggest misconceptions in dog training is the belief that we need to “show the dog who’s boss” to get results. Many people were taught that dogs learn through force, intimidation, or control. While those methods may sometimes stop behavior in the moment, they often come with a hidden cost: fear, stress, damaged trust, and even aggression. There is another way. When we stop trying to force dogs and instead focus on leading them, something remarkable happens. Dogs be

Since January, we have been living in a world of specialists, hospital stays, medication schedules, and cautious optimism. Each time one condition stabilizes, another seems to flare. It feels like a relentless game of whack-a-mole, one we never signed up to play, but one we play anyway, because love demands it. And somehow, through it all, Chobani is still here. That fact alone brings both gratitude and a quiet, persistent question: "How do you know when it’s time?" This is t

When you’re living with a dog who has medical needs or behavior challenges, it can feel like you’re constantly trying to connect dots that keep moving. One day, something improves, the next day it doesn’t. A medication seems to help until you’re not so sure anymore. That’s exactly why I journal. At first, it was a way to keep track of information—medications, doses, appetite, stools, energy levels, behavior changes, just the basics. But over time, it became something much mor

Some of our clients ask, “How do I get my dog to stop sniffing so much?” Our answer? We can teach a dog to sniff less but why would you want to? Not letting your dog sniff would be a bit like putting a blindfold on you during a beautiful sunset or bringing a child to an amusement park and not letting him on any rides or play any games. Our canine companions experience the world through their noses. Dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors , while we have only 6 mill

Lately, many of our private sessions have focused on conflicts within the home, whether between existing pets or after bringing a new pet into the family. These situations can involve both dogs and cats, and they’re more common than you might think. So, what can you do as a pet parent to minimize conflict and create a more peaceful household? Here are some things to consider. When Bringing a New Pet Home Introducing a new pet can be stressful for everyone involved. When possi

A little preparation can make a big difference in how your dog experiences their veterinary visit and how smoothly the appointment goes for you. Set the tone before you arrive Schedule your appointment at a time when you’re not rushed. If vet visits feel stressful for you or your dog, take a moment to breathe and settle yourself; your dog will pick up on your body language if you are stressed. Give your dog a chance to decompress Take a short walk beforehand so your dog can e

As children, many of us were taught that “silence is golden.” But when it comes to living and working with our canine companions, the opposite is often true. Even though our dogs are incredibly intelligent, they cannot know what we want unless we clearly communicate it to them. Our dogs aren’t mind readers. They learn through the information we provide, and one of the most powerful tools we have is our voice. Take leash walking, for example. When many people walk their dogs

For all of human history, we’ve used stories to share information, make sense of our world, and fill in the blank spaces in what we don’t know. When we share our lives with dogs, those blank spaces can feel even bigger. We can’t ask our dogs what happened before we adopted them, how they’re feeling, or what occurred while we were away. So naturally, we start creating explanations. We tell ourselves little stories about what our dogs must be thinking, feeling, or reacting to.

When a dog growls, snaps, or shows aggression, it’s often labeled as a training problem or a behavior issue. But behavior does not happen in isolation. A dog’s physical health plays a critical role in how they feel, cope, and respond to the world around them. In many cases, aggression is not a personality trait; it’s a symptom. Dogs experiencing discomfort, pain, or chronic illness may use aggression as a way to cope when their tolerance is reduced and their stress levels are

In dog training, labels can be tempting. It’s easy to hear statements like “That’s just how that breed is” or “You can’t trust dogs of that breed.” These assumptions are often made quickly, without evidence, and can be inaccurate. At our core, we believe this: dogs are individuals , not stereotypes. Just as it would be unfair and harmful to judge people based on appearance or background, it is equally misguided to judge dogs based solely on breed, mix, or a label. Breed