Pet First Aid – Dehydration
Pet First Aid Education Use the password PPGMember to view this video. DogNostics Education donated these videos. They form part of the comprehensive Pet First Aid Certification you can find here https://dognosticseducation.com/courses/pet-first-aid-certification/ The whole program curriculum is below. PPG members get a 20% discount on this program. Use code PPGMemberDiscount to access it What The Program Covers This program does not just cover the typical pet emergencies; it also covers the following common problems you may encounter when caring for a pet. Question: How do we know what these are?… Continued
Pet First Aid – Animal Transport During and Emergency
Pet First Aid Education Use the password PPGMember to view this video. DogNostics Education donated these videos. They form part of the comprehensive Pet First Aid Certification you can find here https://dognosticseducation.com/courses/pet-first-aid-certification/ The whole program curriculum is below. PPG members get a 20% discount on this program. Use code PPGMemberDiscount to access it What The Program Covers This program does not just cover the typical pet emergencies; it also covers the following common problems you may encounter when caring for a pet. Question: How do we know what these are?… Continued
Pet First Aid – A Broken Toe
Pet First Aid Education Use the password PPGMember to view this video. DogNostics Education donated these videos. They form part of the comprehensive Pet First Aid Certification you can find here https://dognosticseducation.com/courses/pet-first-aid-certification/ The whole program curriculum is below. PPG members get a 20% discount on this program. Use code PPGMemberDiscount to access it What The Program Covers This program does not just cover the typical pet emergencies; it also covers the following common problems you may encounter when caring for a pet. Question: How do we know what these… Continued
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Ensuring Your Dog’s Mental Health & Well-Being
It’s that time of year for various walks to benefit one nonprofit cause or another. Several of you will undoubtedly participate, running or walking and doing your part to help others. Thank you! Some of you with dogs will even bring your dogs to this mass gathering of humanity and semi-organized chaos. Based on my many years of experience at these events, many of your dogs will proclaim in various ways, “Why didn’t you let me stay home?!” Does Your Dog Enjoy Public Events…? …Or would they rather stay home?… Continued
Occupational Licensing for Pet Trainers and Behavior Consultants: Does a Suitable Model Exist?
by Niki Tudge, Debra Millikan, and Louse Stapleton-Frappell This article was adapted from Tudge, N., Millikan, D., & Stapleton-Frappell, L. (2019). Occupational Licensing for Pet Trainers and Behavior Consultants. DogNostics Career Center Publishing. Ch. 1, pp. 14-21. Download your free copy of the ebook here. According to Roth and Ramlow (2016), “Americans have always been rooted in the idea of economic freedom.” In other words, Americans tend to be of the belief that hard work and determination will pay off. Children, from a young age, may be told that, rich… Continued
Is There a Dog in the House? Keeping Kids Safe at Playdates and Childcare
A Doggone Safe Playdate Checklist As I was exploring the Doggone safe free public resources, I smiled when I realized how many excellent resources there are to use and share. One of my favorites is “Play Dates and Babysitter’s House.” This resource features basic questions a parent should be asking to keep their child safe, like: A parent would ask these and many more questions of a prospective in-home daycare or nanny. Rarely does it occur to a parent to ask if the family has a dog and, if so, what… Continued
Sudden Tension Between Cats: Could It Be Non-Recognition Aggression?
Each year, countless cats and their guardians are affected by non-recognition aggression, a phenomenon in which a cat returning home from an outing is suddenly treated as an intruder by a cat who remained at home. This situation often occurs after a visit to the vet, but it can also happen after a trip to the groomer, an outdoor excursion, or a visit to a home with dogs. Experts believe scent plays a key role in triggering non-recognition aggression. If left unaddressed, the at-home cat may attack the returning cat,… Continued
Behavior Teams
Better Together: Elevating the Standard of Pet Training & Care Stop, think, and change the way you work. Are you tired of working in a vacuum? Imagine being part of a professional circle where support is mutual, expertise is shared, and every referral is backed by trust. Whether you are a trainer, a groomer, or a veterinarian, you don’t have to navigate the complexities of animal behavior alone. Behavior Teams is designed to bridge the gap between isolated professionals and create a community rooted in positive reinforcement and collective success.… Continued
Hoof Care Options for Fearful Equids
by Michelle Martiya When people adopt or rescue fearful and feral equids, one of the most pressing issues the new owners face is the need to trim their feet. These animals often come with feet that are too long, which can be painful and cause long-term musculoskeletal problems. Much like dogs accepting nail trims, hoof trims can be one of the most challenging procedures for an equid to accept, and the need for care will frequently happen before training for this procedure is complete. Fortunately, there are a few things… Continued
What to Look for in a Pet Care Professional–Part 2: Knowledge, Skills, Competence, and Credentials
In What To Look For In A Pet Care Professional–Part 1, I discussed the importance of carefully reviewing the ethics policies of any pet care professional before entrusting your pet to their care. Here, I’ll discuss the importance of pet care professionals acquiring knowledge and skills and demonstrating competency through independent accreditation bodies. Lastly, I’ll address the importance of continuing education. Acquisition of Knowledge People might become pet care professionals because they have a passion for animals. However, living with them as pets, or breeding them, is unlikely to provide… Continued
Dogs Are Food Motivated – They Need It for Survival
It’s our role to figure out what rewards work best in different situations! At DogNostics, we hold a two-day Pet Care Professional Certification workshop where a question that we often hear is, “How can I train a dog who isn’t food motivated?” At The DogSmith, we also encounter clients who say that their dogs are not motivated by food, so we thought that a blog regarding this topic would be useful for pet guardians. Is There a Health Concern? There are many reasons why a dog may sometimes not wish… Continued
Is Your Dog Feeling Fearful, Anxious, or Stressed?
I highly recommend that we all try to identify the signs and causes of stress in our lives, and our pets’ lives, so that we can begin to eliminate or reduce the stressors that may be adversely affecting our mental and physical well-being, and that of our pets. Dogs show many signs when they are fearful, anxious, or stressed. Here are some of the canine body language signals indicating fear, anxiety, or stress that you could learn to recognize: Identifying the triggers – those stimuli such as smells, sounds, or… Continued
Identifying Positive Reinforcers for the Individual
Anna Bradley explains why using food as a positive reinforcer in training is not bribery and examines alternative options for dogs who may not always be so food driven. While I would say there is, in general, a much wider appreciation of the role of rewards in animal training and behavior these days, I also believe—and it is certainly my experience—that pet guardians do not always fully understand the power of positive-reinforcement training. For example, I have had clients who consider the use of rewards to be “bribery.” There may… Continued
Book Review: Zoodle Needs Some Space by Anastasia Gargiulli
Zoodle Needs Some Space is a delightful children’s book that sheds light on the challenges facing reactive dogs, and on the importance of being empathetic and understanding of how reactive dogs experience fearful situations. Author Anastasia Gargiulli, is an early childhood education teacher and passionate advocate for dogs with special needs. The story centers around Zoodle, a happy dog who loves her family and her ball. However, Zoodle becomes worried and anxious on walks, leading her to display defensive behaviors, such as barking, in hopes of attempting to scare away potential… Continued
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Chat & Chuckle with Dr. Denise Johnson About Feline House Soiling
Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Dr. Denise Johnson about house soiling issues in cats. Dr. Denise Johnson is a general practitioner of veterinary medicine and an International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. Her special interests include behavioral health and low-stress handling. Her qualifications include Elite Fear Free Practitioner, Certified in Low Stress Handling–Silver, and Cat Friendly Veterinarian Certifications. In addition to being a certified member of the IAABC, she serves on their Ethics Committee and as a peer… Continued
Eat, PURR, Love
Andrea Carne investigates how feeding regimes can help meet feline behavioral needs, particularly those of indoor cats, while deliberating the findings of a recent study on the same topic. Read the next sentence very carefully (and with a large pinch of salt): Feeding your cat one meal a day might be best. I can almost hear the gasps from cat guardians across the world! “Feed my cat once a day? Are you crazy?” I hear you say. “What do I do when I get the 5 a.m. ‘wake up and… Continued
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What to Look for in a Pet Care Professional–Part 1
This post is the first in a series of articles designed to assist pet care consumers with selecting an appropriate professional to care for and help them with their pets. In this article, I will answer the question, “What is a professional?” I will also discuss the importance of working under a Code of Technical and Ethical Standards developed by acknowledged experts in pet care. What is a Professional? Almost all professions follow the attributes listed under the heading “A Professional Will:” Many different professionals work in pet care. They… Continued
Am I a Pack Leader…or a Human?
I was a dog lover long before becoming a professional dog trainer, and when a television program first aired about dog training and behavior, on a major network that I trusted, I began watching episodes with the intent of learning more about dogs. Conflict and Competition The essence of the TV program seemed to be founded on something called “dominance theory” and the personal charm of the star. What I heard throughout each episode were references to humans having to be the dominant pack leader to offset a dog’s inclination… Continued
Chat & Chuckle with Veronica Sanchez About the Cooperative Paws Service Dog Certificate Program
Join PPG Founder and President Niki Tudge as she chats and chuckles with Veronica Sanchez of Cooperative Paws Service Dog Education, a PPG Corporate Partner, about her Service Dog Certificate (SDC) program. Rolling enrollment for the SDC program is back! You can now take the course any time that’s convenient for you. Listen to the episode for full details and more information about the program. Apply to the program by February 11 and get a free extra month to complete the course. Click here to learn more. Listen to the podcast here… Continued
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