Puppies Grow!

You may not mind when your little baby puppy jumps up on you, but what about that puppy as a full-grown dog? It's important to plan ahead and establish long-term house rules from the very beginning.

Holiday Begging

As we sit down to give thanks, be sure your dog isn't giving thanks for stolen turkey legs or other table items that might make him sick or even lead to an emergency vet trip!

Thanksgiving Manners

Having guests over for the holidays can be exciting and stressful all at the same time - even for your dog! Keep in mind not everyone who comes to you house may be a "dog person," but a little pre-planning can help keep everyone happy and safe.

Off-leash Etiquette

If you choose to take your dog off-leash, it's important to make sure your dog doesn't become a nuisance to others. You may think he just wants to say, "Hi!" to everyone around him, but not every person or dog will appreciate the greeting. Be respectful of others and don't let your dog force himself upon every dog and human he meets -- especially if he's loose and the other dogs are restricted by a leash.

Handling Loose Dog Encounters

You're enjoying a leisurely walk with your dog when suddenly, you find yourself being rushed by an unknown, loose dog and no owner in sight? What do you do?

The Benefits of Playing Dead!

Tricks are fun, but as we learned with the "shake" trick, many also have a practical application. Teaching your dog to "play dead" can not only impress friends and family members, it's also a nice way to teach your dog to be relaxed on his side, which is also helpful at the vet's office.

Pleased to Meet Ya! Teaching your Dog to Shake.

Whether or not you want to train the next Pet Star, teaching your dog a few fun tricks has a lot of hidden value. Not only are they cute, many tricks serve a practical purpose as well. Teaching a simple paw lift not only becomes a cute "shake" trick, but also helps your dog become more relaxed about practical things such as nail trimming, paw wiping or burr removal.

Start 'um Young: Benefits of Puppy Classes!

Early training and socialization helps your puppy start off on the right paw! Learn how the benefits of a well-run puppy class can outweigh the possible risks.

Jr. Handlers in Agility

Meet Team Taxi. At just seven-years-old, Janelle wanted a puppy. Her parents? Not so much. So they presented her with a challenge: Care for the family's then senior dog (food, fresh water, yard duty) without complaining for one year. Two years later, mission long accomplished plus time to responsibly research dog breeds and breeders, Australian Shepherd puppy, Taxi, joined the family! Janelle and Taxi compete successfully in agility and as of this posting, are just three qualifying scores away from earning their ASCA Agility Championship!