Chat & Chuckle with Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Feline Division Chair Laura Cassiday of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior and Training as they chat about cat declawing, current legislation banning the procedure and ways to advocate for cats to keep their claws. Apologies in advance for some audio issues in this episode! Listen to the Podcast here on a choice of platforms. Or simply click the ‘Play’ button below. Recorded on October 14, 2022.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Maker of Shock Collar Products
By Niki Tudge Good news! A class-action lawsuit has been filed in California against Radio Systems, maker of shock collar products. The story has been picked up by Bloomberg Law and several other sites. Excerpt from the filing: “This is a consumer class action arising out of misrepresentations and omissions by Radio Systems in connection with its manufacture, sale, marketing, and advertising of shock collar products under the brand name PetSafe® (the “Shock Collar Products”). Shock Collar Products are devices that deliver electric shocks to household pets via a collar worn… Continued
PPG Inclusivity Division Meetup – Celebrating LGBT History Month & World Mental Health Day
Join hosts Niki Tudge and Lorena Patti of PPG’s Inclusivity Division as they celebrate LGBT History Month and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)! Featured guests are Lottie Bennett, Valarie Ross, Angel Rowe and Debbie Sheridan. Listen to the Podcast here on a choice of platforms. Or simply click the ‘Play’ button below. Recorded on October 24, 2022.
The Lost Art of Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable – An Urgent Need
By Niki Tudge As business owners, one of our fundamental responsibilities to our clients, our employees and our stakeholders is to ensure that we provide a workplace where civility is not only a priority, but a deep-rooted, daily cultural norm. Manners, respect, consideration, tolerance and equality are all characteristics and indicators of a healthy and progressive organizational culture. While the mere suggestion of implementing a workplace training program on manners may draw sneers and seem like overkill, the reality is that rudeness is a workplace epidemic that can cost small… Continued
Scent Work Works for Shelter Dogs
Using scent work as part of enrichment programs in shelters can improve both welfare and adoption rates for dogs by Rachel Lane You’ve probably heard people say that when you adopt a shelter dog, you adopt problems and bring home headaches—or another version of the same sentiment. I have heard this far too often, and it always makes me sad. Yes, it is true that sometimes dogs in shelters do display behaviors that adopters label as undesirable, but there are also lots of amazing animals waiting for their forever homes.… Continued
Is It Time to Have a Business Meeting with Yourself?
by Veronica Boutelle If you’ve ever had someone say to you, “Oh, you’re a dog trainer? It must be so fun to play with puppies all day!” and had to take a very deep breath, we get it. Running your own business, especially one that requires complex behavior work and client support, is a lot. Whether you’ve just started out in the dog world or have decades of experience, long to-do lists seem to go with the territory. The exciting thing we’ve seen in our THRIVE! group coaching program is… Continued
BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #14 – Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern?
Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern? Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on Dog Safety: Should It Be Taught in Schools? Is There a Public Safety Concern? Pet guardians and pet professionals, listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format. Your Moderator: PPG Advocacy Division Chair Don Hanson Your Advocacy Panel for this discussion includes: Aaron Jones of the PPG Inclusivity Division and PPG Shelter and Rescue Division, Sam Wike, and Monique… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Lisa Radosta of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
Join Niki Tudge, PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther and BARKS Magazine editor-in-chief Paula Garber as they Chat and Chuckle with Dr. Lisa Radosta, owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service and co-owner of The Real Dog Nerds, about pets with behavior problems requiring a veterinary behaviorist, and what pet guardians can look for and do in preparation for and support of a veterinary behavior program for their pet. Listen to the Podcast with Dr. Lisa Radosta here on your choice of platforms. Or just stay on this page and… Continued
Meet a Dog Lover Who Pursued a Calling and Now Creates Wonderful R+ Transformations
In our ongoing series of PPG member profiles, BARKS features Aaron Jones of AJ’s Waggin’ Train in Katy, Texas Aaron is a member of PPG’s Inclusivity Division and Shelter and Rescue Division, and he also serves on PPG’s Advocacy Panel. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, how you first got into animal behavior and training, and what you are doing now? A: I am a graduate of the Animal Behavior College where I earned my credential as a Certified Dog Trainer. I have had a love… Continued
Pet Professional Guild Announces 2023 Summit, Invites Proposals for Academic Sessions and Skill Labs
Event to take place at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix, November 1-5 INVERNESS, Fla. – Sept. 29, 2022 – The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has announced that its 2023 Summit will take place November 1-5, 2023, at the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix. The in-person event will also be livestreamed. “Connecting with other pet professionals and educating ourselves are vitally important to enabling us as human caretakers to provide animals with the best possible environment—one where they can thrive,” said Jennifer Dagnino, behavior and pet training manager at the… Continued
Ask the Experts: How to Break Up With a Client
by Veronica Boutelle Dear dogbiz, I pride myself on being able to work effectively with my clients, even when it’s tough. And generally, that’s what happens. Recently, however, I’ve been working with a new client and it’s become increasingly challenging. There have been some scheduling issues, which I’m happy to accommodate (within reason). But after canceling the last three sessions, they’ve also decided to return to punitive measures and equipment I don’t use or recommend. Despite recurring conversations, I just don’t feel they are able to get on board with… Continued
BARKS Podcast with Annie Phenix of Phenix Dogs
Join Niki Tudge as she Chats and Chuckles with Annie Phenix of Phenix Dogs about using emotion and connection in training, and much more! Annie’s new book, Positive Training for Aggressive and Reactive Dogs: Proven Techniques to Help Your Dog Recover from Fear and Anxiety and Enjoy Walks Calmly, will be available in November 2022. Annie is also the author of The Midnight Dog Walkers, published in 2016, and is a Certified Behaviourist and Family Dog Mediator. Listen to the Podcast with Annie Phenix here on your choice of platforms. Or just stay on… Continued
BARKS Podcast with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther as they Chat and Chuckle with Dr. Kristina Spaulding of PPG corporate partner, Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior about her new book, The Stress Factor in Dogs: Unlocking Resiliency and Enhancing Well-Being. Listen to the Podcast with Dr. Kristina Spaulding here on your choice of platforms. Or just stay on this page and click ‘Play’ below. Recorded September 9, 2022. About Dr. Kristina Spaulding Dr. Kristina Spaulding operates Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, which opened its doors in 2001 and quickly… Continued
Fun Canine Nose Work in the Shelter
Congratulations to Kristin Laurene! This post won runner up in the 2022 Canine Scent Writing Competition. It is definitely not a news flash to any dog owner that a dog’s sense of smell is its strongest. It is also not surprising to hear about dogs stuck in shelter environments getting bored and unwanted behaviors developing, or further strengthening, due to lack of regular mental stimulation. However, pets in shelter and rescue environments are not the only pets who experience lack of mental stimulation. Three professional detection-dog trainers and handlers realized… Continued
BARKS Podcast with the PPG Advocacy Panel: Discussion #13 – What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners?
What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners? Join the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Advocacy Panel for a discussion on What Is Management, and Can It Be Enough in Helping Pet Owners? Pet guardians and pet professionals, we invite you to listen as panel members share their expertise in a fun, free-flowing format. Your Moderator: PPG Advocacy Division Chair Don Hanson Your Advocacy Panel for this discussion includes: Kristi Benson, Dr. Laura Donaldson, PPG Feline Division co-chair Beth Adelman, Monique Williams of the PPG Equid Division,… Continued
Scent Success: Giving Scent Work a Second Chance
Congratulations to Shelley Doane! This post won runner up in the 2022 Canine Scent Writing Competition. I started getting interested in canine scent work with my dogs a few years ago. It began with an introductory class taught by a fellow trainer. It was an interesting class with lots of good information, but I did not find it fun, and my dog, Sophie, didn’t seem to really enjoy it either. A couple of years later, I listened to a podcast by another trainer about scent work using food and how… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom of The Sophisticated Dog
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Division Chair Judy Luther to Chat & Chuckle with Irith Bloom. Irith is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog and offers virtual, online training for dogs and other pets. Listen to the Podcast with Irith Bloom here on your choice of platforms. Or just stay on this page and click on the “Play” icon below. Recorded on August 12, 2022 Irith (“ee-reet”) Bloom CPDT-KSA, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CSAT, KPA CTP, VSPDT, CBATI, FFCP (Trainer), VSDTA Faculty, DWA Faculty, Co-founder of Porter Labs… Continued
The Harness Is Coming – Run for the Hills!
I often wonder why some of us expect our dogs to miraculously accept collars, harnesses, leashes, and the like. After all, dogs are not born with these alien contraptions attached to their person! But some of this gear must feel restrictive, worrying, anxiety-provoking, or even potentially painful. Especially without careful prior desensitization. Which Dog Gear and Why? There are many different bits of paraphernalia available out there right now, so think seriously about what you need and why you need it. Most importantly, think how it benefits your… Continued
Pet Professional Guild Launches New Divisional Member Meetups
Free Bimonthly Events Provide Members a Forum for Mentoring, Education and Support INVERNESS, Fla. – Aug. 19, 2022 – The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has launched free bimonthly divisional meetup events for its members. The events are designed to give members the opportunity to join in the conversation and ask questions of pet professionals and featured guests live in an informal format. “Our goal with the meetups is to provide an environment for topical and species-specific discussions and education while fostering a sense of community and support among PPG members,”… Continued
Sniff for Calm and So Much More!
Congratulations to Kris Whipple! This post won first prize in the 2022 Canine Scent Writing Competition. Of all the canine behaviors that I teach, calm is the most valuable. Calm dogs are less likely to bark, jump, mouth, lunge, pull or engage in other challenging behaviors that come with overexcitement. For me and my dog Sprig, an exuberant adolescent Cardigan Welsh corgi who thinks every day (and experience, dogand person) is his best day EVER, sniffing has become a positive and powerful tool I use daily to promote calm behaviors… Continued
Dog Speak: The Language of Barking
At a recent public event I attended, the question asked most by companion dog owners was, “How do I get my dog to stop barking?” As professionals, of course, the first thing we want to do is ask more questions. “When does the dog bark?”, “What time of day?”, “What are they barking at?”, “What are they getting out of it?”, “What do you do when they bark?”, “What do you want them to do instead?” and so on. We can all think of people who talk too much yet no… Continued
A Note From Your New Editor
Hello! My name is Paula Garber, and I’m the new editor of BARKS from the Guild! I wanted to take a moment to say hello and introduce myself. I started my professional cat training and behavior consulting career in 2014, when I launched my business, LIFELINE Cat Behavior Solutions. Before studying animal behavior, I worked as a freelance editorial professional in the publishing and education industries for more than 25 years. I’ve been a proud member of the Pet Professional Guild since 2015 and was the chair of PPG’s Feline… Continued
Socializing Puppies to Other Animals
Dog guardians these days tend to be fairly aware of the crucial importance of socialization. These include the interactions a young puppy will have with people in his/her immediate family, people outside the family, and people of all different ages and appearances, wearing all sorts of strange outfits, carrying various novel objects (such as umbrellas or suitcases) etc. Guardians are often also aware of habituation. This means ensuring that the puppy begins to experience all sorts of adventures in her formative weeks and months that she will encounter in adult… Continued
BARKS Podcast with Dr Robert and Karen Hewings
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee Chair Judy Luther to Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Robert and Karen Hewings. Learn all about the upcoming PPG Scent Fest events: Your Scent & Scentability 3-Day Workshop Event – Scent Work for practical training and behavior solutions, Nov. 2-4, 2022 Beyond The Basics of Canine Scent – Introducing Advanced Detection & Handling Skills, Nov. 5-6, 2022 Discover what will be covered and how much fun it will be! Listen to the Podcast with Dr. Robert and Karen Hewings here on your choice of platforms. Or just stay on… Continued
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