With Halloween fast approaching, people find it hard to resist dressing up their pets - whether the animal is ok with it or not!

While it seems cute and all in good fun, please stop to consider the emotional well-being of the animal. Some dogs are ok with being dressed up, while most cats are not.

Just like a head halter or harness, you must acclimate your pet to the feeling of wearing a costume.

Sadly, uninformed pet parents may take their dogs out on the streets while wearing an embarrassing costume; this can lead to dog fights and bites!

It is vital that people understand the signals our pets give us - they are constantly trying to communicate with us via body language. Please take a look at my previous post about understanding dog body language.

Take a look at this photo of Jasper,...

Interactive dog toys are a great way to get your dog's energy out via mental stimulation!

The makers of these toys can get very creative! I would like to share some of my favorites in this post :)

First, I'll start with the one that my dog currently has and then I'll show you what's on my "wish list", my top picks.

The "Dog Casino" by Outward Hound Nina Ottosson is an advanced-level dog puzzle toy for very inventive dogs. My dog still hasn't quite mastered it, but it's fun to watch him try to figure it out for 20 minutes :)

Next up, we have a puzzle with sliding pieces that treats hide under. This one looks like it would be easier than the first puzzle I recommended. What I love about it is the pieces are not removable, so there is less chance of dogs chewing and swallowing the pieces....

Many of my clients have asked me what else can be done to help their anxious dogs calm down. For some dogs that genuinely have separation anxiety, I recommend calming treats. These treats have herbals and vitamins that help dogs get out of a sympathetic state (fight or flight mode, adrenaline). When in a parasympathetic state (calm, relaxed, logical), dogs can learn faster. I go in depth with this in my upcoming webinars, which you can sign up for from the homepage of this site. For the purposes of this post, I am only going to talk about which treats I have experience with and find effective.

Premium Care Calming Chews for Dogs are very effective at helping dogs achieve a calm state. (Of course, there are many techniques I use to calm a dog, but we're just focusing on treats...

Puppy pads are an excellent training tool! Did you know that dogs can be trained to use them as an alternative to peeing outside? I believe dogs should spend as much time outside as possible, but sometimes there are instances where you can't get your dog outside; in which case, having them pad-trained would be ideal.

If you already have your dog pad trained, you may wonder if there's a cost-effective option, as the cost of disposable pads can add up.

I searched Amazon for the best-priced potty pads, and I found this one attractive because of the variety of sizes to choose from. I cost per count is also very reasonable, compared to other brands.

Another option, which is much more environmentally-friendly for daily use, is a synthetic grass patch for indoor use....

Subjects: best dog harnesses to stop pulling - how to make walking your dog easier - stop dog pulling on leash - no pull dog harness - no pull harnesses

Selecting a harness for your dog is a very important part of your leash training! It can aid in making walks easier until your dog is fully trained not to pull at all.

I find that many people buy harnesses that clip on the back and wonder why their dog's pulling got worse after starting to use the harness. The answer: the opposition reflex.

When something pushes against your chest, you're inclined to lean forward, right? It is the same for your dog. They find comfort in leaning into it, which can make them pull harder!

Head Halters are another option, but they take a long acclimation period to get your dog accustomed to wearing...

Do You Long for Peace and Quiet?

You know how frustrating living with a dog that chews can be. Or a dog that pulls so hard, you think your arm is going to come off. Or maybe your dog is the kind that won't stop barking until he's had the last word.

Many pet parents find themselves shouting commands that seem to go unheard. Is your dog ignoring you?

If you can relate to any of these things, I have good news!

It doesn't have to be this way anymore.

I've listened to my clients over the years, and I've helped many dogs. What I found was a disconnect between people and their dogs. Some dogs simply didn't respect their people at all.

What I noticed was that no matter what behavior issue I was called there to solve, I gave the same advice - over and over - and it worked every time!...

Read Time: 8 minutes

If you're on this page, you already know how destructive chewing can be - it's frustrating!

The combination of management and proper training (which gets to the root of the problem) are your keys to success in eliminating this behavior.

I'm going to tackle those exact subjects as briefly as possible for you in this post, because I know how valuable your time is to you. You want answers - now!

So without further ado:

The first thing I tell my clients at the first training session is: you have to correct the relationship between you and your dog (and between your dogs, if you have multiple). You have to set rules in place that are based in fairness and set the calm tone you want for your household.

This isn't about authoritarianism, but rather celebrating...

It's no fun for you or your dog when dealing with allergies.

You try changing their food, special shampoos, creams... some people even turn to medication, which usually makes the problem worse!

How? Certain medications can be harsh on your pet's immune system and/or allow for yeast take-overs.

In order to relieve symptoms for good, we must eliminate the cause. This leads us down the rabbit hole of diet and nutrition. Oh I've been down that rabbit hole - for over 15 years! Let me tell you: it's definitely worth it to solve the root cause of the problem - which, without fail - is always food. However, doing all that research takes time, dedication, and LOTS of reading!

I want to point you in the right direction and give you a quick fix today, but beware: putting a bandage on the problem ...

Hi, I'm Heather Smith! I've been training dogs professionally since 2015. I help my clients by looking deep into the behaviors of dogs to find the root causes of certain behaviors. This is the job of a behaviorist (think of a behaviorist as a detective of the dog world).

Most often, I notice that people just don't know how to read a dog's body language, which can worsen and even cause undesired behaviors. When people learn to read and communicate with dogs effectively, beautiful things happen!

The dogs feel more loved and understood, and the people feel less frustrated because the communication barrier has been removed! Are you ready to understand your dog better?

I find myself recommending a book titled "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas to most of my...

Are you searching for a veterinarian in State College? How about Altoona, Clearfield or Lewisburg areas?

I've compiled a list of vets in Central PA to help my clients and other local pet lovers find care for their furry friends. It includes vet clinics, their hours, addresses, phone numbers, and websites - all in one list!

Download a copy of the list free of charge at https://www.petloverspassion.com/pl/2147563956

Don't hesitate to share the above link with your friends so they can benefit!

Much Love,

Heather Smith, ABCDT (Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainer)