jikhalsaJun 1, 2020Predicting Adult Temperaments in PuppiesPuppy temperament testing has been an important fixture for decades in determining suitability of dogs for service work, therapy work,...
jikhalsaJun 21, 2019Emotional Responsibility and Self-fulfilling Prophecies (“Expectancy Effect”) Anyone who has spent more than five minutes talking to us knows that we are big proponents of puppy parental responsibility—we all need...
jikhalsaMar 4, 2019Clicker trainingClicker training is strongly based in behavioral science and is known as a form of “operant conditioning.” The point of this section...
jikhalsaFeb 21, 2019Toys and chewingWe had initially titled this post “Unwanted Chewing” but chewing is such a natural activity for a dog we didn’t want the title to color...
jikhalsaFeb 14, 2019Puppy training and socialization scheduleHere is our suggested schedule for minimum training and socialization for your puppy. If you are an overachiever, there’s a whole world...
jikhalsaNov 1, 2018KennelingWe strongly do NOT believe in kenneling as a way of life for pet, companion, and service dogs. (We are talking about kenneling, not crate...
jikhalsaSep 22, 2018Puppy motion sicknessThe inner ears of puppies aren’t fully developed. If your puppy starts to salivate or even vomit in the car, place the crate as low and...
jikhalsaSep 2, 2018Impulse controlImpulse control is the ability to control thoughts and behaviors in a way that allows good decision making. We expect this of all...
jikhalsaMay 1, 2018Leash walkingGive it a few minutes (five minutes maximum) a couple of times a day and your puppy will be trained quickly. Remember your puppy is a...
jikhalsaApr 4, 2018Puppies, hormones, health, and behaviorYour puppy will start gradually becoming a little man or little woman somewhere in its adolescent stage, between 5 and 9 months. Sex...
jikhalsaSep 13, 2017Crate training your puppyDogs are den animals and innately feel secure in a den. The crate is your puppy’s den. A dog that is crate trained will always have a...
jikhalsaJul 5, 2017Introducing your puppy to other animalsIt seems like an easy task, but there are a few things you can do to make your pet introductions go better. Introduction to other dogs in...
jikhalsaJun 1, 2017Recalls (come, here)It’s canine nature to run from something chasing him, or to run after something that runs away. So when trying to get your puppy to come...
jikhalsaMar 1, 2017Separation anxietySome dogs are genetically predisposed to separation anxiety, but it is usually a result of traumatic experience, abrupt change in...
jikhalsaDec 11, 2016Boundaries and interruptionsWe work with our puppies using as much positive reinforcement as possible, since that builds confident, happy puppies (and who doesn’t...
jikhalsaJul 11, 2016Puppy humpingThe last thing you want when grandma comes over is for your puppy to wrap its front legs around hers and have a socially awkward “go” at...
jikhalsaJun 4, 2016How to help your puppy adjust to loud noisesEvery dog has different innate tolerances and different early experiences that contribute to their ability to handle loud noises. You can...
jikhalsaMay 3, 2016Puppy pantingMost puppy panting is NORMAL, particularly when they are sleeping. They are still growing and they can have some pretty active dream...
jikhalsaMar 12, 2016Resource guardingSome breeds are more prone to resource guarding. In others it's all but a non-issue. If resource guarding shows up, you can implement...
jikhalsaFeb 22, 2016Puppy zoomiesPuppy zoomies (as opposed to the zombies my autocorrect wanted me to write, which is pretty well the opposite of zoomies) are a period of...