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Editor’s Picks

Getting the Trot with Positive Reinforcement


Getting their equids to move from a walk to a trot can be frustrating and elusive for many people. Most often, the equid is not offering the trot because the handler is not breaking down the behavior enough or being clear in what they’re asking. Jumping straight from a walk into a trot is a considerable jump in criteria (what you expect from your learner) when you’re in the early stages of training and developing movement. Mark and Reinforce for Clear Communication When you’re working on changing gaits, it isn’t… Continued

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Behavioral Changes in Cats: Could It Be Pain?


Did you know cats instinctively hide signs of pain, often leaving pet parents unaware of serious health issues? Unlike dogs, who might whimper or limp noticeably, cats tend to rely on quiet behavioral changes to communicate their discomfort. These changes can be easy to overlook but can provide crucial clues that something isn’t right. Recognizing these signals can make all the difference in ensuring your feline friends receive the care they need. The Link Between Behavior and Pain Understanding the connection between your cat’s behavior and their physical state is… Continued

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Latest Articles

How to Train Your Dog to Play Frisbee


A Fun and Furry Guide This blog post earned Honorable Mention in the Pet Professional Guild’s Pets and Their People Celebrating Life Together   community outreach competition in the ‘Pet Professional – Write a Blog Post’ category. Ready to turn your four-legged friend into a frisbee-catching superstar? Training your dog to play frisbee is not only a blast, but it’s also a fantastic way to enhance your bond and keep your pup fit and happy. Here’s your ultimate guide to turning your dog into a frisbee fanatic! 1.  Pick the Perfect Frisbee First things… Continued

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What Role Does Your Dog Play in Your Life?


Last summer, I read a market research report that reported that 76% of people in the US with pets strongly agree that pets are part of the family and that 17% agree that pets are family members. That is a total of 93%, which is something to be excited about as it suggests that most of us who share our lives with pets believe they should be treated as family. I am now in my 30th year as a pet care professional and feel fortunate to have entered this career… Continued

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Your Brain Is Hardwired to Generalize Fear…And So Is Your Dog’s


This story is an illustration of something Kristina Spaulding, Pd.D., CAAB explained so clearly in her blog on The Development of Fear, published on April 1, 2021. Dr. Spaulding is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist who has worked with dogs, and now focuses on education. To read her excellent blog, follow this link. Barking and Lunging at Cars Recently, I worked with a three-year old Sheltie who had no training beyond performing “shake” on cue and following a food lure into a down position. For this article, I will call… Continued

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A Professional Dog Trainer Does So Much More Than Train Dogs


I became a pet care professional in the fall of 1995 when my wife and I became the new owners of Green Acres Kennel Shop. I am fortunate to have entered the profession then because of the many advances in our knowledge of pet behavior, training, and nutrition. Obedience Class Disaster In the Spring of 1991, my wife Paula and I brought home our first puppy as a couple, a cairn terrier we named Gus. We wanted to do everything right, so we immediately enrolled ourselves and twelve-week-old Gus in… Continued

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The Off-Leash Adventures of Tina


Recently, I worked with a prior client, a very intelligent college instructor whose previous dog I trained. She adopted a sweet little dog she named Tina, because the adoption date was that of Tina Turner’s death. Tina was destined to live an exciting life. The Chipmunk Kingdom Living in the countryside, the family wanted Tina to enjoy her new surroundings off leash. Her previous one year of life had not been a rural existence, so the farm-like environment was full of stimuli that she had not experienced. The chipmunks who lived in several wood… Continued

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