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March 27, 2019: Newly Published Review Debates Reliability and Validity of Behavior Evaluations for Shelter Dogs

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The new paper, What is the Evidence for Reliability and Validity of Behavior Evaluations for Shelter Dogs? A prequel to “No Better than Flipping a Coin,” presents the following highlights:  Colloquial usage of scientific terms such as “validated” can be misleading. No shelter canine behavior evaluation meets accepted standards as being validated. Published error rates are too high to justify routine use in shelters. Behavior evaluations are heterogeneous and often not comparable with each other. A lack of face validity may explain the high error rate for behavior evaluations. The authors… Continued

From Shelter Dog to Service Dog

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By L. A. Bykowsky and Chere McCoy Six months ago Stella was at the HSVB waiting for that special someone to take her home and love her forever. It so happened that I went in one day looking for a super special dog to be my service dog. Stella and I took one look at each other and knew right away that we were meant to be a team – but there would be hurdles to cross first…I should explain that I am a United States Air Force veteran and my… Continued

September 10, 2018: New Study Discusses Genetic Breed Heritage Testing of Shelter Dogs

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Authors conclude that: “…when we consider the complexity of shelter dog breed heritage and the failure to identify multiple breeds based on visual identification coupled with our inability to predict how these breeds then interact within an individual dog, we believe that focusing resources on communicating the physical and behavioral characteristics of shelter dogs would best support adoption efforts.” Read study.  

“No-Kill” Shelters Are Not Enough

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An article I read recently in the New York Times (online) talked about a downside of a heavy emphasis on no-kill policies at shelters: By focusing on getting dogs and cats into new homes, the shelters might be neglecting the reasons many of those animals are in the shelter in the first place. Many people abandon their pets because they cannot afford to feed them or house them or provide needed veterinary care. I don’t for a minute think that that is the only reason animals end up in shelters, but… Continued

Cat Adoption: Considerations for Multi-Cat Homes

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by Misty Hampton Understanding cats’ natural behavior can help us create and maintain more peaceful multi-cat homes. A Look at the Lifestyles of Free-Roaming Cats Territory Cats are often thought of as antisocial, but that isn’t really accurate. Cats are solitary hunters. Their prey isn’t big enough to share. So each cat needs to establish their own territory for hunting. A cat’s territory is the area they will actively defend. Within the territory is the core territory, where the cat feels safe enough to play, eat, groom, and sleep, and… Continued

Shaping a Sustainable Pet Industry – Part Two: Laying the Legal Bedrock

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by Niki Tudge Consensus, Transparency, and Science-Based Oversight In Part One, we unraveled the complex legislative landscape of today—mapping active state bills, dissecting the systemic flaws of grandfathering and working-dog exemptions, and illustrating why rushing into top-down licensing before establishing a firm foundation threatens to codify the very practices we seek to eliminate. Now, in Part Two, we move to examine reform through the lenses mentioned in Part One: This framework will move our industry toward Lens Four – Formal Legislative Oversight and Licensing.  The Pet Service Industry Regulatory Vacuum… Continued

Help Cats Cope with Stressful Situations

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by Misty Hampton It’s not uncommon to hear that someone is using calming supplements, a safe space, or a ThunderShirt® for their dog during stressful events, such as holidays, when there are fireworks going off, or strangers coming to visit. There are lots of tools to help dogs cope with stressful situations. So, what about cats? Here, I’ll explore the use of tools like supplements, calming music, pheromone sprays, aromatherapy, and medications to help create a calming feline environment. Specialty Foods and Supplements In my experience, clients are more open… Continued

Keep Calm and Kitty On: Relaxation and Resilience Strategies for Cats

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by Misty Hampton The purpose of this article is to identify techniques and tools that can be used to help cats navigate stressful situations, and to develop the resilience to cope with stressors on their own, when you aren’t there to help them. With cats, it’s considered by some “normal” for them to hide under the bed all day when there are visitors in the house but, undoubtedly, that cat is experiencing stress. And, it’s well known that chronic stress negatively impacts health and longevity. The best way we can protect… Continued

Behavior Pros Say Your Pet Wants You to Do These Four Things Starting Today

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by Tasha Attwood A recent Pet Professional Guild Advocacy Panel  discussion centered on the question, “How can guardians and professionals work together to create a kinder world for pets?” It was a follow up to two previous discussions about helping to make our pets’ world a little more friendly and kind.   This series of PPG podcasts began with asking specifically what we, as pet guardians, can do. The next discussion explored how pet professionals can help. And now, this third installment brought it all together by asking how guardians and pet… Continued

PPG Scholarly Circle – Professional dog trainers’ perspectives on training methods: ethical and evidentiary insights with Dr. Jamie DeLeeuw

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The Scholarly Circle is PPG’s academic paper reading group where an academic mentor joins the meeting to explain difficult concepts and answer questions. The Research Paper – Professional dog trainers’ perspectives on training methods: ethical and evidentiary insights. You can download the paper here. This research was funded by the Pet Professional Guild’s Pet Training Science Alliance Program. The APC was funded by Grand Valley State University. Academic Mentor – Jamie DeLeeuw, PhD, is a community psychologist and evaluation leader specializing in animal welfare systems. She is the Founder of Community… Continued

Business Growth Awareness Week

Unleash Your Potential – Your FREE Virtual Event Sponsored by: Business Growth Awareness Week: Small Steps, Big Vision, Sustainable Growth  June 15–21, 2026 Are you ready to scale your passion into a thriving, sustainable business? While most pet professionals enter the industry out of a love for animals, we recognize that a “heart of gold” must be supported by a sustainable business model to truly impact and support pet guardians. We invite you to step back from the “daily grind” of leashes and litter boxes and join us for a high-impact week dedicated… Continued

Nonnegotiable Indoor and Outdoor Pet Care Standards for Pet Sitters

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by the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) Pet Care Division This resource is a product of the Pet Professional Guild  Pet Care Division  Team: Kat Frizzell (Chair), CPPS, FFCP, PFACCI, PLBS; Kristi Jones, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CET; and Roxanne Dockter, MSc., CPPS, FFCP, CFVA, PFACCI This checklist outlines a clear set of nonnegotiable standards that all professional pet sitter members of PPG should adhere to when providing services such as boarding, pet sitting, and overnight care. Indoor & Outdoor Pet Care Standards for Pet Sitters Download the Guide Here: About the Pet Professional Guild Pet Care… Continued

The Many Ways Cats Show Us Love

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by Allison Hunter-Frederick Once we understood that cats show affection in many ways, we began to notice signs of love everywhere. Cinder is a cat who resists being held, but she curls up at our feet at night, and in that way, she shows us that she loves us. It took us time not to feel rejected when she pulled away from touch. Like many people, we expected love to appear through cuddling or being held. But, research and lived experience show that love from our cats takes many forms.… Continued

Kindness and Cooperation: A Promise to Our Pets

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by Niki Tudge The Ethical Case for Kindness: Ten Core Principles 1. Acknowledgment of Sentience: Pets are not tools or accessories; they are sentient beings capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions, including joy, fear, anxiety, and pain. Ethically, we are obligated to recognize their capacity to suffer and we are obligated to actively prevent their suffering. 2. The Power Imbalance: We control every aspect of our pets’ lives: when they eat, where they sleep, and when they can relieve themselves. Because we hold absolute power over their world,… Continued

PPG Advocacy Panel: How Can Professionals Help Make a Kinder World for Pets?

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The Advocacy Panel is a monthly event hosted by the Pet Professional Guild and showcasing a number of experts. In this episode, the panel discusses how we, as pet professionals, can help make a kinder world for our pets. Your moderator: ⁠PPG Advocacy Task Force⁠ Chair Don Hanson Today’s panelists: Tasha Attwood, Dayle Pierce, & Rebekah King Meet today’s panel: Your moderator, Don Hanson, serves on the PPG Board of Directors and owns Green Acres Kennel Shop in Maine, USA and Force Free Pets. His goal is to help people before… Continued

The Weight of Words: How Labels Impact Cat Welfare

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by Mary Stevens We are all guilty of describing a cat as “spicy” or “just plain mean,” but what we often don’t realize is how these negative labels shape not only how we view the cat, but also how others perceive them. When we use this kind of language, we project our own emotions and assumptions onto the listener rather than describing what we are actually observing or taking the time to explore why the cat may be behaving this way. Labels in Welfare Settings: Why Words Matter In animal… Continued

Choosing Cat Litter: Part Four – Crystals, Pellets, and Others

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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

Pet Care Service Non-Negotiables: A Guide for Pet Care Professionals and Their Clients

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by the PPG Pet Care Division 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 This guide outlines a clear set of non-negotiable standards that all professional pet care members of the Pet Professional Guild should adhere to when providing services such as boarding, pet sitting, daycare, overnight care, pet taxi and dog walking. Overview: The non-negotiables sections are divided into Service Standards and Pet Care Standards. Section One:… Continued

Massachusetts H.2342 – An Act Relevant to Dangerous Dogs

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Summary It’s a short bill, but it could make a huge difference. The bill states, that if a dog hurts a person or another dog by breaking skin and a complaint is filed, the family would be required to work with a veterinarian, behaviorist, or trainer to create a safety and behavior plan using humane, ACVB and AVSAB evidence-based methods. The use of shock, prong, or choke collars is prohibited.  Here’s the key part of the bill:  “…(vii) that the owner or keeper of the dog consults with a veterinarian,… Continued

PPG Appoints Dayle Pierce to Its Board of Directors

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Dayle brings a crucial international perspective to the organization’s leadership. The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dayle Pierce to its board of directors with immediate effect. Dayle, based in the United Kingdom, has held many roles since joining the organization in 2016. He became a member of PPG’s Steering Committee in 2018 and has co-led PPG’s British Isles Chapter with Nathan Watson and Tom Candy since 2021. He has served with PPG’s Shelter and Rescue Division since 2022 and also co-hosted PPG Chat and… Continued

Behavior Team of New York City

Welcome to the Behavior Team of New York City! Are you a New York City resident looking for professional training or care for your pet?  You’ve come to the right place!  The Behavior Team of New York City takes a community-focused approach to training and caring for your pets. Our team members were brought together by a shared philosophy and code of ethics and are dedicated to working in concert to support you and your pets with the highest level of care. We recognize that helping pet owners requires a village of… Continued

Do You Have a “Rescue” Dog?

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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

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