An audio excerpt from Star 977 discussing the Woof Meow Tip for May 4, 2026, where Don discusses the importance of creating optimal conditions for your dog to learn, as described in the book Beyond Belly Rubs. He stresses the importance of you, your dog,
Don discusses the many uses for treats: as training rewards, to supplement nutrition from real food, to enrich our dogs’ lives while keeping them busy, to help keep their teeth clean, and to show affection or “just because.” He emphasizes the importance of being aware
This video from All Dog, Are Shock Collars Hurting Your Dog? should be required viewing for everyone who cares about dogs, including every pet care professional. I will warn you that it does contain graphic videos of dogs being shocked and photos of dogs that
This is the first in a series of articles in which Don reflects on how the pet care industry has changed for the better over the past 30 years. He discusses how canine behavior experts have universally condemned the use of dominance and aversive methods,
Don discusses the importance of accepting our dogs for who they are and the importance of always being patient and kind. He shares a story of how he let his ego become so wrapped up in making his dog Gus “perfect: that it damaged their
Don discusses when and why a dog might run off and offers management and training tips you can implement to decrease the probability of it happening.
Don discusses the many roles typical of a professional dog trainer as they work with a family and their dog, all while being knowledgeable, skilled, ethical, kind, compassionate, and patient.
Don elaborates on his post, Help! My Dog Is Stubborn! By describing twelve steps you can take to make you and your dog best friends for life.
In this post, Don examines stubbornness and suggests several reasons why your dog may not be stubborn but is just seeking your empathy and understanding. He suggests ways that you can motivate your dog to help them understand what you want while making them feel
This is an important post from Andrew Hale at Dog Centred Care: The Emotional Experience of Dogs and their Caregivers. In it, he discusses the emotional toll experienced by dogs subjected to shock, their caregivers, and the trainers who help them restore their relationship with