Stop Saying These Things to Dog Owners (We’re Begging You)

When I bought my Forester in 2020, I spent several months in search of the right car. I knew heated seats and a sun roof were non-negotiables. I didn’t want a reclaimed title. I wanted to find something with fewer than 60K miles. It needed to be large enough to accommodate Sitka and me for …

It all happened when I met Charlie. I fell for him immediately.  He was fun, handsome, engaging, and loved to eat and play–a welcome change to what I’m used to.  I wasn’t really looking for that kind of relationship, but the universe gave me enough signals that I thought I should listen. Charlie is a …

I rarely walk my dog. Because I’m a trail runner, I run with him, but even when injuries stop me from running, I still don’t walk my dog. In fact, many dog trainers I know don’t walk their dogs. Personally, I find dog walks boring and stressful. My dog finds dog walks boring and stressful. …

Hand feeding your dog their daily meals is one of the most powerful tools to train your dog new skills. In addition, you will build motivation, develop a stronger bond, and improve their behavior. I use it to teach dogs new behaviors in all of my training. The reason hand feeding your dog is so …

Running with your dog is a great way to provide regular exercise, prevent obesity and also bond with them. Dogs are truly the best running partners, and as long as you approach the training correctly, they can join you for your regular runs without issue. I’ve put in thousands of miles on the trails in …

If you’ve never gone camping with your dog or you don’t go often enough that you forget what dog camping gear essentials to pack each time you head out, then this is the post for you! I have spent so many nights camping with my dog that it sometimes feels more comfortable than my own …

Until I had traveled to Park City with an old dog several years ago, I had never wondered about altitude sickness in dogs. My dog, who had a heart murmur, was running around happily, and then suddenly collapsed. He was out for a few minutes and then rebounded back to his happy-go-lucky self. While the …

The first step in successful training a dog is through clear communication. In order to do this, we teach the dog a set of marker words that pair a sound or word to a behavior through classical conditioning. Dogs don’t speak English, nor is their primary method of communication verbal, like it is for humans. …

Aversive tools in dog training are a controversial topic. Certain dog training tools and methods, namely prong collars and e-collars are regularly cited as abusive and unnecessary in dog training, primarily by dog trainers who label themselves as Positive Reinforcement Only or Force Free.  They are banned across many countries in Europe, and a movement …

Sitka and I recently spent a few days exploring some of the dog-friendly winter activities in Spokane, Washington with Visit Spokane. Despite growing up in Washington, I had never really spent any time in Spokane. It’s the second-largest city in Washington after Seattle, located all the way on the other side of the state, Spokane …