Choosing Cat Litter: Part Four – Crystals, Pellets, and Others
by Misty Hampton When setting up various cat litter preference tests for my cats, there were some top picks, and then there were some litters that were difficult to report on because my cats rarely (or never) used them. The following litter types and selections were not their favorites. Some notes about non-clumping litter: Non-clumping litter doesn’t seem designed to keep up with odor in a multi-cat household. The litter needs to be dumped out frequently and the box needs to be washed regularly. That just isn’t practical or economical… Continued
Why Do We Keep Punishing Our Pets? It’s Not What You Think.
It’s a scenario many pet guardians know well: you walk in the door to find a “surprise” on the carpet, or your dog barks relentlessly at the mail carrier. In the heat of the moment, a sharp “NO!” or a frustrated tug on the leash feels like the natural, immediate response. And for a split second, it works, right? The barking stops for a moment, the dog cringes, and you feel like you’ve communicated your displeasure. However, here’s the deal: While reward-based training is overwhelmingly recommended by vets and animal… Continued
How Can We Help Create a Kinder World for Our Pets?
by Debbie Sheridan To effectively engage thoughtful pet guardians, the Pet Professional Guild’s (PPG’s) Advocacy division hosts a monthly live panel discussion showcasing a number of experts. On January 21, PPG hosted a great talk discussing how we, as pet guardians, can help create a kinder world for our pets. The panel discussion was hosted by Don Hanson, joined by panelists: Tasha Attwood, Dayle Pierce, Debbie Sheridan, Sam Wike, Kim Silver, Beth Adelman, and Michelle Martiya The first Advocacy Panel discussion of 2026 is now playing on the PPG podcast… Continued
Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Professional Pet Sitter: A Checklist for Clients
by the Pet Professional Guild Pet Care Division Team This resource is a product of PPG’s Pet Care Division: Kat Frizzell, CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI Pet professionals offering pet sitting services are highly competitive and there will be many service providers in your neighborhood. While they will all advertise and offer a specific service or services, they are not all equal in experience, quality, dependability, education, certifications, honesty and integrity. We recommend, at a minimum, you seek to find the answers to… Continued
Is ‘Pet Parent’ Appropriate?
by Don Hanson How we describe our relationship with our dogs matters because, consciously or subconsciously, it affects how we treat them. So, is ‘pet parent’ an appropriate description of our role in our dogs’ lives? While some pet care professionals and other people cringe at the term, I believe it is an accurate description, demonstrating that our dogs are part of our family. While in the US, the law usually tells us our dogs are nothing more than property (like the sofa in your living room), the term “pet… Continued
Choosing Cat Litter: Part Three – Top Picks
by Misty Hampton Combining the findings from Part One (Preference Testing) and Part Two (Comparison), here are my overall top picks, ranked based on cats’ preferences and features that are important to people. Key: Cat Preference Clumping Low Dust Low Tracking Odor Control Economical* Eco-Friendly ⭐⭐⭐(3) My cats used it more than once daily, on average Well-formed clumps Very low Very low Best Least expensive (price by volume) Best ⭐⭐✰ (2) About once per day Crumbly clumps Low Low Better Midrange Better ⭐✰✰ (1) Less than once per day Poor… Continued
Choosing Litter: Part Two – Comparison of Different Types of Cat Litter
In Part One of this series of blog posts, we explored how to set up a preference test to help determine which litter your cats prefer. Now, let’s look at features that are important to people: clumping, amount of dust, tracking, odor control, cost, and sustainability. Table 1 below summarizes my comparison of different types of cat litter, followed by more detailed descriptions of each of the features. Cat Litter Features Clumping Clumping makes it easier to remove soiled litter which, in turn, eliminates odor. It is recommended to scoop… Continued
Fear-Based Fails: Why Shock Collars Damage Pets and Trust
The Pet Professional Guild actively discourages any training tool that relies on pain, force, or fear. Many veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and behavior professional associations advise against using shock collars (also known as e-collars or electronic collars) as training tools. These devices, which can cause serious psychological and physical harm to pets, often rely on punishment, fear, and pain to discourage unwanted behaviors. While proponents of shock collars often prefer the terms “electronic collar,” “e-collar,” “remote training collar,” or “static stimulation” to differentiate modern devices from older, harsher models, the… Continued
The Pet Professional Guild’s Ethical Stance
Here at the Pet Professional Guild, we have a strong ethical stance on the behavior and training of both pets and their people. What Are Ethics? Ethics in pet training are a set of principles and standards that guide a trainer’s decisions and actions to ensure the humane, safe, and effective treatment of animals. Ethical training prioritizes the well-being of the animal, fosters a relationship of trust and respect, and uses methods that are scientifically sound and aversive-free. Force-Free and Positive Reinforcement Ethical training is synonymous with force-free and positive-reinforcement methods. These approaches focus… Continued
The Top Questions a Pet Sitter Should Ask You at the Reservation Point: A Checklist for Clients
This resource is a product of the Pet Professional Guild Pet Care Division Team: Kat Frizzell, CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI Having completed an initial inquiry and a successful “Meet & Greet” session with your pet sitter, there are now some crucial questions that need to be answered when you make your reservation and pay your deposit. These are logistical and emergency-preparedness questions to finalize plans and prepare for your actual absence. Download the checklist here: About the PPG Pet Care Division… Continued
Choosing Cat Litter: Part One – What Is a Preference Test?
Nowadays, there are many different kinds of cat litter to choose from. The purpose of this series is to compare different kinds of cat litter. This comparison will help consumers decide what kind of litter you want to try, and help you set up a preference test to determine what kind of litter your cat(s) will use. A note about litter for kittens: Nontoxic, non-clumping litter is generally recommended for kittens so that, if they ingest it, there’s no danger of their digestive tract being blocked up. Some people choose… Continued
The Top Questions a Pet Sitter Should Ask You at the Initial Inquiry: A Checklist for Clients
This resource is a product of the PPG Pet Care Division Team: Kat Frizzell, CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI If you are planning to hire a pet sitter, before you plan a meet and greet and before making your reservation, schedule an initial inquiry. Be prepared for the prospective pet care provider to ask the following questions at minimum (there might be more). These questions help the pet sitter understand whether you’re a good match, determine your needs, assess safety, and… Continued
Not All Dogs Make Good Butlers…Management and Training Can Help
Many of my clients have concerns about how their dogs greet visitors at their home. This article addresses what to do if you have a dog who is not a good butler. There are 80-90 million dogs living in the USA, and I suspect many are allowed to freely engage with visitors at the front door. That engagement may be with an open mouth barely containing a tongue, a wiggly wagging tail, perhaps with a favorite toy in the dog’s mouth. My dog, Bruno, meets every visitor that way. First, an excited bark,… Continued
How to Minimize Stress for You and Your Dog
We know our dogs can have a bond with us, and that means when we’re feeling down, it can negatively impact them. Likewise, our being happy can bring great joy to our dogs. This article offers some stress-reduction suggestions for dogs and their caretakers. I recently wrote about my dog Muppy being diagnosed with bladder cancer and how I believe it is essential for me to maintain a positive outlook so as to help her maintain her current joy of life. Having a positive attitude can greatly benefit our health… Continued
Charlee’s Ordeal with an Electronic Shock Fencing System
When Charlee was adopted, her family wanted to keep her safe while enjoying their yard. So, they installed an electronic containment system (ECS). An ECS consists of a wire buried around the perimeter of the property. The dog wears a collar with an electronic device sensing when it is close to the wire. When the collar is close to the wire, it charges and delivers a beep and/or electric shock. An ECS business installed the system. The installer put the collar on Charlee to “get used to it.” Then he configured it to… Continued
Minimum Core Pet Care Duties Your Pet Sitter Should Provide: A Checklist for Clients
This resource is a product of the PPG Pet Care Division Team: Kat Frizzell, CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI The “minimum level of care” provided by a pet sitter typically involves meeting the pet’s basic needs, preserving their routine, and safeguarding their well-being in their familiar home setting. Pet care companies should have these core pet care duties documented, in particular if there are contractors and employees, to ensure a standard level of minimum care, irrespective of who… Continued
Would You Know If Your Dog Was in Pain?
“Your dog wouldn’t be able to run like that if she was in pain.” “My dog isn’t in pain. They can play fetch for hours!” ”My dog loves his walks. He’s crazy when I pick up his harness and he races out the door, pulling me the whole way! How could he be in pain?” All of these are real statements that I’ve heard, including about my own dog. The problem is that, sadly, they aren’t true. Dogs can and will do many things when in pain that seem counterintuitive… Continued
Book Review: Is It Okay For Us To Play? A Guide for Safer Interactions Between Children and Dogs by Catherine Hepburn
Is It Okay For Us To Play? A Guide for Safer Interactions Between Children and Dogs is the debut book of UK-based author Catherine Hepburn. It’s a picture book set to be published in the UK on November 7, 2025 from Austin Macauley Publishers. The author, who is also the illustrator, tells a story about Ben and his dog Jay who is a loveable yellow Labrador. Through the drawings and story, the reader learns about discovering what a dog is telling you with his body language and how to respond… Continued
A Philosophical Divide: The Dilemma Facing Pets and Their People
A pet owner seeking a trainer is often in a highly emotional and stressful situation, dealing with a challenging behavioral issue. The ethical divide in the pet training industry forces you to make a complex choice between philosophies that may not be clearly defined. Confusion and Mistrust The ethical landscape of the pet professional industry is characterized by a profound and enduring philosophical divide between organizations that advocate for force-free training and those that support a “balanced” approach. The pet professional landscape is not only split by different methods but… Continued
During Stressful Times with Pets, Finding Joy Matters
On Friday, June 21, I took my dog Muppy to see her veterinarian for a suspected urinary tract infection that was not improving. Other than that, she was in fantastic health for being almost 14 years old, running and leaping like a 5-year-old, always smiling and wagging her tail. After an examination and some lab work, Muppy’s veterinarian explained that an ultrasound revealed a small growth in her bladder, and an analysis of her urine revealed cells that indicated Muppy most likely has bladder cancer. That diagnosis has recently been… Continued
Do You Have a “Rescue” Dog?
Bruno and I have a request for you to consider. What if you stop referring to your dog as a “rescue dog” and just consider them a dog? Your dog. Hopefully, a very happy dog. Language and Labels Let’s think about the labels we may use to identify our pets, and how that could affect our goals and outcomes, as well as our relationships. I often see posts or hear people say things such as “My rescue dog is afraid of strangers,” or “My dog is reactive, he is a rescue,” as if… Continued
Reward-Based Dog Training: Your Questions Answered!
Thank you for making the decision to invest this time in your pet’s education. At PPG, we consider it an honor that you are trusting us to help guide you on your dog training journey. It is such an important decision- the one you have just made – a decision to invest the time and effort into helping your dog successfully integrate into your life and home. Why Train Your Dog? As data shows us, more pets are surrendered to shelters due to behavioral issues than for any other reason.… Continued
Pet Safety Alert: Blue-Green Algae
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are naturally found in most freshwater bodies in the United States. When it rapidly accumulates or “blooms,” it can release neurotoxins and liver toxins that, if ingested, can cause extreme illness and even death. Blue-green algae are most likely to appear in freshwater when the water temperature is above 75°F. The toxins may concentrate near shorelines where animals might drink or swim. Even a small amount of these substances can lead to death in a few hours for a small animal like a dog.… Continued
Bringing a New Dog into Your Family
The annual Clear the Shelters campaign, currently taking place, highlights pet adoption. This post is about how to bring a new dog into one’s home, allowing for decompression, enabling bonding and confidence, and establishing a sound foundation for a joyful lifetime relationship. Bringing a new dog into your family is exciting for people and dogs alike, but it is also a world-changing event for your dog. Everything they were once familiar with has changed. Dogs need time to decompress and adjust to their new surroundings, to establish relationships with new people, and… Continued
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