Welcome to the “It’s Not the Dog” Blog
Occasionally, I will share quick tips and quick videos when inspiration strikes me.
Strengthen the Bond With Your Dog
Prepare for the Unexpected and Unavoidable: Three Essential Steps for Every Dog Owner As a dog owner, you’ve likely encountered moments when things take a turn—whether it’s a health emergency, a sudden behavioral issue, or just an everyday struggle like nail trimming....
Life of a Foster Family
I know it has been a long time since you heard from me last, let alone when I announced with you one of my workshops where I either answer dog training questions for dog owners or where I explained the importance of fresh nutrition for dogs. But there is a reason why...
Seven Tips to End Your 4th of July Holiday with Ease and Calm
Imagine I take you to Six Flags Over Atlanta and force you on one of the extreme roller coaster rides. You know the ones where you see Facebook videos of people passing out. 😉 Now some of you may be completely excited about this, some of you could care...
Three Tips to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Vital
When it comes to the health of your dog, how much influence do we have as dog owners? Not much, a little bit or a whole bunch?Obviously, there is not a concrete number, but what I do know from my experience and my studies, we actually have more influence and control...
What do you mean with “it’s a rescue dog?”
https://youtu.be/gcqVENH0nXc This morning when I walked my dogs a lady hid her little dog behind an object because the dog tends to bark when she sees other dogs. When I passed by she smiled at me and said, “she is old, she is a rescue dog, she can’t get change.” When...
The Other Type of Dog Training Seminar…
When people and dogs have a trusting relationship; when the dogs get their basic needs of exercise, discipline, and safety fulfilled, and when humans feel that their dogs are in sync with them and follow their leadership, it is a beautiful and calming experience to...
Let’s talk dogs on Saturday, July 9th
Every day, hundreds if not thousands of dogs get re-homed or surrendered to kill shelters or rescue groups because one more family couldn’t work through the issues “that dog” presented to them. Chewing household items, pooping in the house, acting aggressively,...
You cannot not train your dog.
You cannot not train your dog. In other words, not training your dog is another form of training. I meet a lot of people who don’t teach their dog good manners and discipline and at the end, the dogs are trained to be annoying, disobedient, and many times even...
One Mistake That Humans Make That Can Cost A Dog’s Life
If you just delivered or adopted a baby girl, would you deny her the basic human education and socialization? Would you let her figure out by herself how to walk, ride a bike, or behave in public? Or would you spend the time to teach her, demonstrate it, and coach...
Next Workshop Coming Right Up!
Attn. Dog Guardians, Dog Adopters, Foster Dog Guardians, Dog Lovers, and Dog Advocates Adopting a dog from a rescue group / animal control or buying a dog from a breeder brings a lot of excitement, hope, and expectations. You may think, like so many people, taking...
What words are you speaking to your dog?
What words are you speaking to your dog? And what do you think about your dog? Do you think your dog is a good dog? Do you think your dog is a good dog but dumb? Or do you tell your dog that he is a bad dog when he does something bad (even though you love him of...
Does your dog growl at people?
Dogs communicate to and with us all the time. Whether they bark, growl, shake, or cower - they communicate not only with their voice but also with their body Unfortunately, most humans don’t listen or don’t know how to interpret their language. Just last week a lady...
A life cut short – lessons to be learned
Less than 2 months ago I was contacted about a female Pit Bull that had been in the Fulton County Animal Control foster program for more than a year. She finally found a home with a family outside of Atlanta. However, when the family had friends come over, the dog...
3 Activities that strengthen the relationship with your dog
http://youtu.be/vXWjJnIiqJw Sign up here to get notified about upcoming seminars in the Atlanta, GA area!
The Importance of the Walk with your Dog
http://youtu.be/JfnsEXRSpaE Sign up here to get notified about upcoming seminars in the Atlanta, GA area!
Children and Dogs
This week I heard the story about little Lilly; she is a 6-month old puppy that was dropped off by her family at a vet's office with the request to euthanize her. Lilly supposedly snapped at one of their children and barked at the dog park and therefore the family...
My humble Beginnings
If you had told me ten years ago that one day I would be completely passionate about dogs, I would have asked you what you had been smoking. 😉 I never took care of a dog in my life before and I pretty much enjoyed my freedom. Sure when I was a child, I wanted a dog...
Learning From others
Ask people for their opinions, knowledge, and expertise - but think for yourself whether it makes sense to you. In the Schutzhund sport, I learned very quickly but many people are just followers. They do what their trainer tells them to do. They never question the...