Just this week, I was so thankful to convince 2 individuals to say goodbye to their choke chain and convert to a force-free training method. One individual mentioned that she always felt so bad when she used it but that’s how they used to train “back in the day”. She had a good understanding of positive reinforcement training but she…
Selecting a Dog (or Puppy)Adoption vs. Breeder Adoption can save two lives. The first is the one that goes home. The second is the one that takes its place. Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.3 million are dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals…
With the holidays around the corner, adding a new family member is often considered. Adding a dog to your family is a decision that should never be taken lightly. By being prepared and educating yourself on what to expect, it will help set the tone for your relationship for you and your pet. Congratulations for taking the first steps in…
Did you know that it is a Texas law that if a dog bites or even scratches (breaks skin), the dog must be quarantined for 10 days? Depending on how many times it occurs, a more permanent option may be considered. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services website and the American Veterinary Medical Association, “an estimated 4.7…
This program is near and dear to my heart. For a year or so, at the shelter I volunteer at, we implemented playgroups based on the DPFL model. Overall, it was a success. Moral and participation was up. We got to work with different dogs from different backgrounds and enrich their lives. Dogs are happier and more relaxed. It was…
Just a friendly reminder about proper identification! Ensure your pet has proper identification including identification tags, a current license, and microchip. Most cities require a current license for their resident’s pets. This license may help ID your pet if no other form is available. Other options include having a recent photo of your pet or consider embroidering your phone number…