The Academy Blog
Enrichment for Dogs on Restricted Diets
Enrichment for Dogs on Restricted DietsEnrichment provides valuable problem-solving and mental stimulation for dogs. One of the easiest ways to provide it is work-to-eat toys. But what about dogs with dietary restrictions? "Even dogs who are on a very restricted diet...
Online training is good for science-based, humane training
With the rise in COVID-19 numbers, more and more training is moving online. I personally do outdoor training using social distancing and masks, but as the winter months approach and the possibility of another lockdown looms, I am moving more consultations online too....
Strut your Stuff: How to Walk your Puppy
By Vanessa Charbonneau, RVT, KPA-CTP, CTC It’s not uncommon for pet parents to think of leash walks as the go-to for physical exercise. You get a puppy, you walk him, right? It’s a no brainer. While I am in no way discrediting the value of a leash walk, because gosh,...
Naughtiness in Dogs: Why They Do It & Why We Love It
Why does my dog… [insert naughty behavior here]? Trainers get asked this question all the time. I sometimes ruminate on this question, mostly as an indulgence. At the end of the day, why dogs do certain things is at best a guess. As trainers, we typically track their...
Nature Wins: Competence and Complexity in Behavior Modification
It’s time to stop blaming competent practitioners. Natural Remedy The other day, I read about a woman using bloodroot salve to try to heal suspected cancer on her nose. Her face sloughed off. Bloodroot, a plant native to North America, is touted for its medicinal...
Dog Pros and Dog Cons: Competence, Celebrity, and the Value of Kindness
Dogs. They’re magic, aren’t they? They’re magic to us two-legged beasts, at least. They’re sisters and brothers to the big bad wolf, but they’re content to sleep snuggled up on the couch with us as we watch a movie. They’re sleek and fast, or tiny and endearing, or...