Testimonial: Diana & Sandy
This month’s featured testimonial is from Diana and Sandy. Sandy was adopted from Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control. Like many dogs, she had some naughty habits (the worst of which was barking...
The Single Hardest Thing About Dog Training
No matter what training method you use, what breed your dog is, or how experienced you are, there is one HUGE training challenge that all dog owners have: striking the balance between making “it”...
The Three Magic Letters: D D D
If you have taken lessons from me, you have surely heard me talk about “The Three Ds.” They’re not magical, but they’re a good reminder of the ways to challenge your dog. DISTANCE |...
Dog Food: How Do I Know What is Best?
Most pet owners acknowledge two important facts: not all pet foods are created equal and their pet’s health and happiness depends on what food she is provided. While I am not a veterinarian nor...
Finding a Responsible Breeder
My last blog addressed the advantages of adopting a dog from the shelter, but since I recognize that there ARE trustworthy, reputable breeders out there I asked Sheila Boneham to weigh in on the...
The Myth of the “Broken” Shelter Dog
On April 16, 2012, I adopted a Sheltie mix from the Jay County Humane Society in Portland, Indiana. I’ve really enjoyed my journey with Shelby so far, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the...
Your Most Versatile Command
The most important command for a dog to know is definitely “come.” It can literally mean the difference between life or death. However, I have to say that the most versatile command is “place.” ...
Proofing: The Next Level of Reliability
Once your dog knows the basics of sit, down, heel, place, and come, it’s time to up the ante! The time has come to proof those behaviors; you need to gradually increase the expectations you have...
How Important is Dog-Dog Play?
At Flying Colors we often see dogs who are “dog reactive.” Basically, that’s a term to describe the dog who growls, barks, snarls, or makes other unfriendly overtures towards their fellow canines...