Dogs use gestures, such as lip licking, signaling that they are non-threatening and want to avoid conflict

A boarding facility can be challenging for dogs, often leading to stress because they are separated from their caregivers and home. Look for these calming techniques that help reduce stress and anxiety when visiting a boarding facility.

The Whiplash Turn is a fun and useful pattern game that helps bring your dog’s focus back on you. When your dog sees a treat on the ground, they should quickly look back at you for another reward. This makes your pet’s response to their name stronger and helps them focus on you. The game also adds distance training. Over time, this game redirects your dog from distractions and improves their recall. By throwing a treat away from you, your dog learns that looking back at you leads to more rewards. This is a great example of a less exciting

Pattern Games give your dog a clear set of rules to follow, creating predictability in different situations. The 1-2-3 Pattern Game can help move your dog past triggers, into the car, onto the scale, through doorways, and more.

Teaching your cat to enter their carrier on their own is the first step in making veterinary visits less stressful.

Walking your dog away from their triggers is not giving up or avoiding the problem; it is advocating for your dog and maintaining the human-animal bond and trust.