Dog Training
Why Counter Conditioning Doesn’t Work
A common criticism of counter conditioning is that it does not work. While there can be many reasons why a behavior modification protocol based on counter conditioning fails it is almost always user error not that the counter conditioning itself doesn’t work. Here are four common reasons that cause counter conditioning to fail. Four reasons why Counter Conditioning doesn't work: [...]
So Easy to Miscue …
by Pam Hogle A few days ago, I heard a story on the radio about police dogs and their handlers. The reporter was talking to a retired police dog handler [...]
How to Teach Your Deaf (and Blind) Dog to Wake Up Gently
Here is a wonderful blog by PPG member Debbie Bauer on how to teach a blind or deaf dog to wake up gently. There is a myth that deaf [...]
6 Ways to Take Fetch to the Next Level
A fun article on playing fetch with your dog by John Gilpatrick Dogs go crazy for fetch. For some, not even an unwatched roasted chicken on the kitchen table can [...]
Health & Safety
The Dangers of Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. It’s being used more frequently in foods, gum, and even in non-food products like lotions that dogs might eat so the danger to our pets [...]
Hidden Holiday Food Fiascos
By Brenna Fender Holiday season is here and the food is always delicious and abundant. Unfortunately, it is also potentially dangerous for dogs. Certain foods are fine for humans but toxic for dogs. Others can [...]
Hurricane Preparedness for Pets
By Brenna Fender We've had a peaceful hurricane season here in Florida so far but it's not over. How can you keep your pets safe in case the worst happens? If You Have to Evacuate [...]
Dog Agility Training
Courteous Canine Articles
AKC Offers a New Agility Program for Newcomers to the Sport
The American Kennel Club has begun offering a new program that makes agility more accessible to newcomers. According to the AKC’s website (https://www.akc.org/events/agility/act-program/), the ACT will be available in two levels. “ACT1 is designed [...]
Million Dollar Dog Games
Million Dollar Dog Games is looking for dogs to compete in a cross discipline competition featuring Agility, Dock Diving and Flying Disc for CASH. Read more about it >
We are offering Barn Hunt now!
Barn Hunt Course I am super excited to announce that Courteous Canine, Inc. is now offering Barn Hunt. This exciting new sport is for all dogs of all sizes and ages. Check [...]
Trick Training Bloopers
Another great article by eileenanddogs, I decided a while back to teach my dogs to cross their paws as a trick. I followed the instructions on one of Emily Larlham’s excellent videos: Dog Tricks Tutorial: [...]
UpDogs Soar into Brooksville
By Brenna Fender March 18-20, disc dogs from all over the country will meet at Florida Classic Park in Brooksville, Florida, for the first annual UpDog International Finals. UpDog Challenge is a new dog disc [...]
What Do Good Dentists and Good Trainers Have in Common?
by Annie Phenix, CPDT-KA A good dentist makes me feel safe and keeps his word that he will not cause pain -- and that's exactly how a good trainer teaches a dog. Like many of [...]
#PPGSummit 2015: The Future Is Now
by Susan Nilson At times, with all the cruelty and destruction in the world, it can seem disheartening for pet professionals who are trying to make a stand for animals, to be their voice and [...]
The future of behavior medication?
A great blog by The Dog Zombie We don’t actually know how behavior medications work. We know how they change the operations of cells — for example, we know facts like “this medication makes cells [...]
My Dogs Don’t Know Sit!
By Eileen Anderson What if your dog’s cue for a behavior is not what you think it is? Can you be sure–absolutely sure–that the dog really understands what you want? That’s another place where punishment [...]
There’s Nothing Simple about Dog Play
Here is a fascinating blog by Professional Trainer Pam Hogel hosted by the Pet Professional Guild! New research on play is analyzed and discussed. "Dogs’ play behavior has, over time, been attributed to a variety [...]
The Dangers of Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs. It’s being used more frequently in foods, gum, and even in non-food products like lotions that dogs might eat so the danger to our pets [...]
What is a Title?
By Brenna Fender If you attend dog training classes or talk to people who compete in dog sports, you might hear them talking about titles. Are they referring the latest bestselling books? Probably not! In [...]
Hidden Holiday Food Fiascos
By Brenna Fender Holiday season is here and the food is always delicious and abundant. Unfortunately, it is also potentially dangerous for dogs. Certain foods are fine for humans but toxic for dogs. Others can [...]
Missing Dog in 33647 zip code area
Amy Farrah Fowler is looking for her missing Pointer that was last seen in Tampa, Florida in the 33647 zip code area (in Cross Creek) on Friday, November 27th around midnight. The female dog is [...]
Beyond CGC
By Brenna Fender The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title has been around for many years, but the American Kennel Club has also created additional levels to this very practical title. AKC Community Canine (CGCA) is [...]