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Weathering Your Dog’s Fear of Thunderstorms

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Thunderstorm season has begun. There are 80-90 million dogs in the USA alone, and I have read that 20% have noise phobias. It can be debilitating for dogs, and life-changing for their people. My friend, Lisa, lives with such a dog, Sweet Min, who was very fearful of storms, fireworks and other sounds. Lisa has worked diligently to improve Min’s quality of life, and I wrote this post to tell her story of discovering what has helped, from a pet steward’s perspective. Is Your Dog Frightened of Thunderstorms? Many dogs… Continued

Occupational Licensing for Pet Trainers and Behavior Consultants: Does a Suitable Model Exist?

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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

Sudden Tension Between Cats: Could It Be Non-Recognition Aggression?

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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

A New Program to Help and Support You Working with pets can be one of the most pleasurable and fun careers, but it can also be lonely, challenging, and emotionally draining. Coordinating with clients, veterinarians, and other pet professionals can leave you feeling like you have run the gamut of an assault course. And it can be challenging for both pet guardians and pet professionals to gain access to competent and qualified training and behavior professionals. Let’s stop, think, and change the way we work with our colleagues and clients. … Continued

What to Look for in a Pet Care Professional–Part 1

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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

Without Eyes to See: Adventures with My Blind Puppy

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Dogs and humans are both very visual species. We rely on body language so much to understand the context and communication of the world around us. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would feel like not to have any sight, and for my other senses to be heightened to compensate for it. For my dog Jellyfish, that’s exactly how it is, and yet he is the happiest, most excited little man that I have ever met. Jellyfish loves life. Puppy Basics When I adopted him from the nearby… Continued

Celebrating Life Together – The Votes Are In!

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The Pet Professional Guild has announced the results of the public voting portion of the Community Outreach Competition! Thank you to all who participated in the PPG Advocacy Event and Community Outreach Competition – Raising Awareness for Humane, Ethical, and Effective Pet Training and Care! Whether you presented at or attended the Celebrating Life Together Virtual Educational Event (or purchase the conference recordings package), entered into the outreach competition, or voted for your favorite entry, by joining forces to be part of the solution, you helped provide the antidote to… Continued

Celebrating Life Together – The Votes Are In!

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The Pet Professional Guild has announced the results of the public voting portion of the Community Outreach Competition! Thank you to all who participated in the PPG Advocacy Event and Community Outreach Competition – Raising Awareness for Humane, Ethical, and Effective Pet Training and Care! Whether you presented at or attended the Celebrating Life Together Virtual Educational Event (or purchase the conference recordings package), entered into the outreach competition, or voted for your favorite entry, by joining forces to be part of the solution, you helped provide the antidote to… Continued

Let’s Go on Sniffari!

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Should people allow their dogs to sniff during walks, or is it all about marching forward in lockstep? I suppose the tone of the question predicts my response. I suggest that dogs not only be allowed to sniff but should be encouraged and empowered to do so…and here is why. As a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant, I enjoy educating the public about dogs. My motivation is to help others avoid the many mistakes I made with my puppy in 1983, when I knew nothing about raising a puppy. Note to… Continued

Escape-Proof Crates: If They Sound Cruel, It’s Because They Are

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by Gwendy Williams Many of us have been taught to embrace the benefits provided by crating dogs. It is why many animal caregivers avoid reading articles like this one. We don’t want to question something that has become customary and acceptable, even when we know instinctively that it’s not. Crates for dogs are, indeed, needed. However, the times that they are truly necessary account for a tiny fraction of how pervasively crates are used. When we force our dogs into isolation for extended periods of time, the discomfort we cause them is clear. They let us know. Their scratching and howling are signs of emotional states that are difficult to misinterpret, even for first-time pet owners. Dogs crying and clawing at the walls of… Continued

PPG Appoints Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as Feline Division Vice Chair

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Please join us in congratulating Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as the new vice chair of PPG’s Feline Division! “I am thrilled to accept the role of vice chair of the Feline Division at the Pet Professional Guild,” said Joanna. “In this position, I will be dedicated to advancing feline welfare through education, advocacy, and support for other cat professionals. Together we will strive to improve the lives of cats and strengthen the bond between pets and their guardians.” Joanna is a Houston-based dog and cat trainer and behavior consultant. She started on… Continued

Doing Your Activity and Preparing Your Submission

Doing Your Activity and Preparing Your Submission This page highlights information you’ll need to do your outreach activity and prepare your submission for uploading to the voting platform. Click below to download the full competition guidelines with all the details (recommended!). In mid-July, you will receive an email with information about how to upload your entry to the voting platform. You will upload your entry to the platform between August 1 and 30. Let’s get started! Choose Your Outreach Activity and Submission Type Choose your outreach activity from one of… Continued

Meet Kim Monteith of the British Columbia SPCA

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Kim prioritizes the well-being of both animals and people in her work. Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into animal behavior/training or pet care, and what you are doing now? With over 25 years in animal behavior and pet care, my journey began with a pet-sitting business and then volunteering at the British Columbia SPCA in various roles, including trainer and dog walker, which ultimately led to a paid position as an animal care attendant. During this time, I also had the opportunity to… Continued

A Puppy’s Tale of the Yellow Brick Road

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My understanding of the “Wizard of Oz” film is that it’s about a group of individuals who struggle to deal with fear and then seek recovery from it. This is a story about Juniper’s journey along that “Yellow Brick” road. I think that we all travel along that particular road at one time or another. Juniper’s mother was a stray, pregnant and struggling to stay safe, living in a deep southern state. She was captured with her pups and taken to a local shelter, eventually packed into a truck with… Continued

Cat Not Using the Box? It Could Be the Litter Box Setup!

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Unwanted elimination is one of the most common behavioral reasons cats are surrendered to shelters. Why is this problem so common? And what can be done about it? First, take your cat to the vet to check for possible medical causes. If the cause isn’t medical, it could be behavioral, such as separation anxiety, inter-cat aggression, or outside threats. In these situations, I’d recommend you contact a cat behavior consultant to help you problem-solve. As a cat behavior consultant, experience has taught me that elimination issues are often due to… Continued

Pet Professional Guild Announces New Event Titled Celebrating Life Together—A Pet-Approved Event

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Paula GarberEmail: [email protected]: petprofessionalguild.comSocial Media: Facebook, Twitter Pet Professional Guild Announces New Event Titled Celebrating Life Together—A Pet-Approved EventThe August event includes a three-day virtual education event and a month-long community outreach competition whose aim is to saturate social media and local communities with fun, effective pet training and care protocols for pet professionals and pet owners. The Villages, Fla. – May 10, 2024 — The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has announced a two-part event called Celebrating Life Together—A Pet-Approved Event to raise awareness for humane,… Continued

Chat & Chuckle with Katlyn Grayson About Making Modifications for Cats With Mobility Issues

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Cats with limited mobility need an environment that accommodates their need. Join Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison as they chat and chuckle with Katlyn Grayson about making modifications for cats with mobility issues. Katlyn Grayson is a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP), Licensed Family Dog Mediator (LFDM), CertifiedProfessional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant (CCBC). She is the owner of Pets Knead Peace in Northeast Ohio providing in-person and virtual behavior assistance for dogs, cats and their guardians.  She began her behavior journey when she started working in animal shelters in 2009. Since then, she… Continued

How to Introduce Equids to Each Other 

Poop swap: Equids learn about each other through smell. A few days before you are due to introduce a new equid to an existing group, place some of their poop somewhere their new herd-mates can sniff it. Do the same in reverse and allow them to sniff poop from the equid(s) they will meet. Try to do this swap two or three times. Allowing them to do this investigation in advance makes a huge difference when they meet. Fence line greetings: Where possible, allow a period where the equid to… Continued

Ask a Trainer: A Friend for a New Feline

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Q. I recently acquired a male, neutered cat, who is about 3 years old. He lived indoors all the time, his first two years with a sibling. They were separated when the owner passed away, then fostered. I’m the third owner in a month now. He is a gentle lapsitter, content to be in his room, looking out the window. I am contemplating getting him a companion. What’s your suggestion? Same age or a younger cat? Male or female? Breed? (He is a domestic shorthair, tuxedo.) – Thanks, C. A:… Continued

Ten Tips to Help Your New Dog Decompress

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You’ve brought home a new dog! Congratulations! Let’s look at some important things to help keep your new dog safe, emotionally and physically, in the first few weeks. Over the next several weeks and months, you will really start to see his personality blossom as he starts to bond with you, gets comfortable, and settles into your home and your routine. That’s when the fun really happens! Good luck and congratulations!  About the Author Kate LaSala, CTC, CBCC-KA, PCBC-A, CSAT, FFCP-E is a certified, professional behavior consultant and trainer, who specializes in helping fearful,… Continued

Chat & Chuckle with Kate Benjamin About Environmental Enrichment for Cats

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You’ll feel enriched after listening to Laura Cassiday and Joanna Wachowiak-Finlaison chat and chuckle with the incredible Kate Benjamin about environmental enrichment for cats! Founder of the cat style brand Hauspanther, Kate has been writing about cats and design since 2007. Her website ⁠hauspanther.com⁠ is the top online resource for design-conscious cat lovers. She has been interviewed as a cat style expert by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, NY Daily News, CBS Sunday Morning, O, The Oprah Magazine and many other media outlets.  Kate co-authored with cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy two New York… Continued

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