Dogs are a lot like BOOBS.

Now that I've got your attention....Yes. You read that right.

Curious? Read on.

Are YOU causing your dog’s reactivity and/or leash aggression?

What is Canine Urban Overload - and is your dog a victim of it?

Why don’t professional dog trainers’ dogs have the same problems our clients’ dogs have?

It's that time of year again. Shopping. Eating. Visiting with family & friends. Eating. Shopping. Eating. Traveling by planes, trains, & automobiles. Eating.

Too often during the hustle & bustle of the holiday season, we overlook some simple tips that can make a big difference for our dogs.

Here are a few of those tips regarding family visits, traveling, and food safety:

With our recent weather, it's starting to feel quite a bit like spring time! And with spring on it's way, a lot of doggie naughtiness can rear it's head...

Just like us, the dogs have been cooped up all winter. So, you might have noticed some behavior and obedience issues that are new in your dog, or some old habits that seem to have returned.

Does it seem like lately...

...your dog is barking more than normal?

In response to an inquiry about German shepherds as pets, picking an appropriate dog for your lifestyle, and what does 'working' breed mean, Dr. Ken Shiarella, V.M.D. of the Western Animal Clinic has the following to say:

That's right folks...it's time to play the new game that's sweeping the nation:

"Dog Problem or People Problem?!!!"

I received this email yesterday from Front Range K9 clients Ryan & Kristin and wanted to share:

I started talking to my dogs today.

No. Not in the "I'm an animal communicator" sort of way.

Nor in the sappy, "Would poopsie like another cookie" sort of way.

Nor in the "Do what I say immediately, or I will correct you!" training sort of way.

Just talking.

I received the following email after the long Labor Day weekend. It made my week. It also gives me the chance to remind YOU all - the dog owners - that the trainers and I are only tools. We give you the information, but only you can implement it with your dogs.

Dog Trainer Adam Katz of South Bay K9 Academy says there are three simple secrets to dog training:

I received the following email last week from a client, and the timing for a discussion on this issue couldn't be better.

Last Thursday, I spoke to no less than Five owners of aggressive dogs. And that was only on Thursday.

These were not current clients of Front Range K9 Academy, but instead, were new potential clients who were seeking help for their dogs.

These dogs had a range of types of aggression from territorial, to fear, to dominant resource guarding. They ranged in breed from terrier to mastiff, with several herding and working breeds thrown in the mix as well.

There were both males and females in the group.

Some had prior training with other dog trainers or behaviorists, some did not.

Some were rescued from shelters. Some had been purchased from breeders as young pups and raised in the homes they still live in.

So from this wide variety of breeds, sexes and backgrounds, what do you think stood out?

Just a quick note to remind folks that many dogs get spooked and can run away and get lost this time of year.

To train dogs properly, you need the proper equipment. That’s really true of any sport or hobby. It’s difficult to play tennis without a racket. It’s hard to sew without a needle. Don’t use a hammer when a pen will do. You wouldn’t go snowshoeing in flip-flops, would you?

It seems like in the last week I've heard the phrase "puppy socialization" a dozen times.

Trainers advertise it.

Veterinarians recommend it.

Bad dogs seem to be missing it.

And oh how owners love to tell me how much of it their dogs got as puppies.

...of an unpleasant kind...

A client of mine just had one of those exceptionally annoying encounters with a fellow dog owner that I wanted to share:

Earlier this week I was working w/ my dog at the school on their playground. We were doing a long sit/stay…I was about 30 ft away.

What’s your favorite breed of dog?

There is no denying that there are a lot of different training techniques out there in the world. But when you come right down to it, you are really only working in two different mediums when you're trying to bring about a change in your dog's behavior.

You are either working with environmental management, or mental management - often both are used/needed at the same time.