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Review: Dogs: Their Secret Lives (TV series)

If you’re like me, you drink up as much quality programming on dog behavior as you can find.  I recently learned of a new show in the UK called “Dogs: Their Secret Lives”.  The show is hosted by Mark Evans who used to be the chief veterinary advisor for the RSPCA.  The show also features… Continue reading Review: Dogs: Their Secret Lives (TV series)

How do we make our dogs happy?

What does it take to make your dog happy?  For one thing, lots of free treats, right?  Maybe not.  A recent study by Swedish researchers looked at how dogs react to getting “free”, unpredictable rewards versus working to earn predictable rewards. The Study The researchers trained beagles in the experimental group to use three distinct… Continue reading How do we make our dogs happy?

Smart Dog Welcomes Our New Intern

Starting in September, Smart Dog Training and Behavior is welcoming a new training and behavior intern, Melanie Dean.  Melanie is a Psychology student at the University at Albany.  I had the pleasure of having her in my Learning class this past spring, where she was one of the top students in the class.  Melanie is… Continue reading Smart Dog Welcomes Our New Intern

Adirondack Adventures with Dogs – Adirondack Extreme

Looking for dog-friendly activities in the Adirondacks?  If you have friends or family members on the more adventurous side, Adirondack Extreme (caution: website has audio effects) is a great dog-friendly option.  It is a high ropes adventure course with several different courses at varying levels of difficulty and height, located in Bolton Landing. Last month, my daughter… Continue reading Adirondack Adventures with Dogs – Adirondack Extreme

Reading Your Dog – Episode 1

How many times have you looked at your dog and wondered what’s going on in her head?  My husband frequently asks me if I think our dog is happy.  This can sometimes be a difficult question to answer, but training yourself to read subtle signs in your dog can go a long way toward understanding… Continue reading Reading Your Dog – Episode 1

Do Dogs Experience Jealousy?

Does your dog get upset when you pay attention to someone else?  Have you ever talked about your dog being jealous or wondered what’s going on in his head?  A recent study on jealousy in dogs may offer some answers.  The study was conducted by scientists at the University of California, San Diego, and published… Continue reading Do Dogs Experience Jealousy?

English is a Foreign Language

“Quiero hacer lo que tú quieres, pero no entiendo lo que estás diciendo.”  Do you understand what you just read?  Perhaps you’re able to recognize it as Spanish and pick up a few basic words, but not enough to really get the gist of the message. Maybe you know Spanish well enough to have a general… Continue reading English is a Foreign Language

How to Have the Dog You Always Wanted

Do you wish your dog would walk calmly by your side past other dogs?  Or that she would sit and stay when guests come to visit (instead of jumping all over them and thoroughly embarassing you)?  Few people struggle to train their dogs to respond to basic commands in the house with little to no… Continue reading How to Have the Dog You Always Wanted

Portland with Dogs – Ocean and Food

In early June, we spent a few days in Portland, ME with our dog.  It is a wonderful place to be with a dog.  It’s the type of place that makes me wish I lived there.  They have a thriving local business scene with many interesting shops and excellent restaurants, coupled with the ocean and plenty of… Continue reading Portland with Dogs – Ocean and Food

How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Calm During Fireworks

This Friday is the 4th of July.  For many dogs, this is not a time of fun, but one of fear, or even terror.  Here are several tips to help your dog cope with fireworks at this time of year. Consider a Thunder Shirt Thunder Shirts are tight fitting dog coats that can have a… Continue reading How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Calm During Fireworks