Leash reactivity can be a complicated problem to tackle. Emily Stoddard, owner of Canine Sports Dog Training, talked to Susan Frank on Raising Your Paws Episode # 70 about the different ways this behavior can manifest. With this blog, we wanted to go more in depth on the problem, including how you can work with your pup to change their behavior.

We all express love, affection and admiration. We understand these expressions from person to person. But the love language between you and your dog may be a bit different. We show our pups we love them in many ways: we pet them, give them treats, rub their bellies and ask them “Who’s a good boy?” in a high-pitched voice. However, it’s hard to speak the same language when you’re two separate species, which can make it a little harder to get your message across.

When it comes to finding a lovable companion that’s smart enough to help with hunting tasks, the Labrador Retriever may be one of your best choices.
In fact, for the past 29 years the American Kennel Club has ranked the Lab the No. 1 most popular dog in the country from a pool of nearly 200 breeds.

Most pet owners enjoy the tactile sensation of running their hands over their pet’s soft, cuddly fur. In fact, studies show petting a cuddly animal can actively reduce stress. That said, we’re generally not as enthusiastic about encountering their abundant fur once it’s fallen out, turned into a gazillion individual hairs and become attached to our furniture, our cars, our clothing or even our food.

If you’re among the many dedicated pet owners who end up shelling out hundreds of dollars in veterinary care every year, you may be wondering whether pet insurance would be a good future investment. The answer to that involves a lot of different factors, including your location, the age, size and breed of your pet and his preexisting conditions. Another consideration could be his projected lifespan; after all, with better pet foods and pet care, our furry friends are living longer and they’re more likely to face an age-related illness.

Most of us understand that barking is a dog’s natural mode of communication, and that dogs bark for a number of different reasons — to ward off perceived threats, to express emotions such as fear, excitement, anxiety or boredom, to greet others, etc. But that doesn’t make a relentlessly barking dog any easier to take when we’re tired, stressed, longing for peace and quiet and/or trying to listen to someone or something else.