Resources

Lili Chin has worked on several projects involving canine body language and so has a rather extensive background in visually detailing a variety of different postures and explaining what they mean. Her book, Doggie Language: A Dog Lover's Guide to Understanding Your Best Friend, is a very accessible and thorough resource for learning about how dogs communicate with the world. One of my favorite things about this book is that it's kid-friendly. It balances important written information with easy-to-digest drawings so that everyone in the family can learn about these vital concepts. 

The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia McConnell, is a wonderful book that goes into the science behind how dogs work without being unbearably dry. This book covers all sort of concepts and I recommend it to anyone who currently owns a dog or is planning to get a dog. It's a great way to get a solid foundation on dog behavior and why they fit so easily into our lives (or why sometimes they don't!). 

There are several types of food toys that can be used for enrichment purposes. When evaluating what food toy to purchase or give to your dog, it's important to consider the function of that toy. Some of these toys are designed to withstand heavy chewing while others are intended to be tossed around or even just gently nudged. Food toys aren't one-size-fits all. Some dogs are already very interactive with their toys while others are much more reserved. If you're just starting out, I recommend something that's really easy to get food out of. These are going to be toys with large openings that need minimal manipulation to make food fall out. Food stuffers (like KONG and Sodapup make) are often great options since they can be made increasingly difficult be varying the type of food you load them with. As your dog gets more confident you can get more difficult toys or try filling the toys with different types of food that may be more difficult to get out. 

​

These two organizations are responsible for pet food quality in the western world. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) offers strict guidelines for the nutritional break down of dog and cat food. WSAVA is considered the gold standard and most commercial dog foods in the United States don't meet these guidelines. That doesn't mean that they aren't good foods and that your pet won't thrive on them. All dog food sold in the US must meet the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for it to legally be sold as a food. If it doesn't meet these standards then it's legally required to state that it doesn't meet the AAFCO standards on the bag. This statement is usually near the feeding guidelines and will say something like, "Intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only." Neither AAFCO or WSAVA approve, certify, or recommend foods. They only set out nutritional requirements for companies to meet.  

You've decided to get a puppy from a breeder. Congratulations! Dogs are often an amazing addition to our lives. Especially when they match our ideal lifestyle in terms of size, energy, and temperament. Whether you've finished your research on what breed you're interested in or you're just starting, this guide should help make finding a good breeder a little less daunting. This is what I personally recommend to clients and friends that come to me with questions about breeder selection. It covers all of the things I consider "red flags" as well as "green lights." There's a lot more to consider than just what I put into this guide, so keep in mind that it's just a starting off point and that it doesn't account for every breeder's unique situation. 

A lot of families decide that getting a canine friend for their children is something that would enrich their lives. Oftentimes they're right! Growing up with a pet can help teach children responsibility and compassion. However, it can also be very dangerous. Most children bitten by dogs are bitten by dogs they know. Families often feel that these bites came "out of nowhere", but that's rarely the case. Usually there were warning signs that just weren't recognized. It can be traumatic and is almost always difficult for everyone involved. By becoming better educated about child-dog safety, a lot of these bites can be prevented. These two websites have a lot of good resources available to help families learn how to keep interactions between their children and their dogs safe for everyone. 

A lot of people need help training their dogs to be safe around people...but can't get the help that they need because their dogs aren't safe around people. There is a solution! Muzzles are an incredible tool for safe behavioral modification sessions. Properly fitted muzzles paired with muzzle conditioning can make the difference between disaster and success. They ensure that everyone (including the dog!) is comfortable with what's going on and not in any danger. Muzzles have other used as well such as: scavenging prevention, safe grooming, wound protection, and more!