Dog training advice, service dog education, puppy training, behavior tips, and practical guidance from the professional trainers at Bark to Basics.
The benefits of feeding your dog pumpkin.
Feeding your dog pumpkin can offer many health benefits. Although it won’t prevent health problems, it is often used to assist them.
Did you know….
· Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A and potassium which is important for a healthy coat, muscles, kidney function and is relatively high in fiber.
Read More4 Paw Care Tips
With cooler weather among us, you may be ready to enjoy the weather and take your dog out for walks, hikes, and/or a refreshing run, but….. are your dog’s paws ready?
Start of slow. Paws need to be in shape, too. If you start a new training program or plan a hiking vacation, be sure to start off slow to give your dog’s paw pads time to grow stronger and more resilient.
Read MoreDid you know….
This dapper little gun dog was originally bred for flushing and retrieving small game. Don’t be fooled by her melting spaniel eyes and soft, feathery coat: the Cocker is an all-terrain dog and can be a handful to live with. Exuberant and energetic, she needs lots of exercise and careful positive training.
Read MoreA Dog a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
If you ask a dog lover if dogs are ‘good’ for you, you’re likely to get a resounding ‘of course!’. While the dog-obsessed inherently feel the benefits of canine companionship, there is also a lot of science to support this belief. Dogs can have numerous positive impacts on our health and wellbeing.
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Is Your Home an Ice Rink?
Slippery floors are an often overlooked aspect of keeping your dog safe and healthy. Dogs have different anatomy to us, making them more susceptible to accidents on slippery surfaces. Their paws lack the grip and traction that our shoes provide, making it challenging for them to maintain balance.
Read MoreIs there anything better than a good night’s sleep? Just like us, dogs need comfortable spots to rest and recharge. Choosing a bed to suit your individual dog will help them relax during the day and sleep soundly through the night. Win-win!
Read MoreIt’s getting warmer!! Oh no…
As our AZ weather begins to heat up, most people will tend to stay inside more. Here are some tips to keep your dog entertained when the weather has you staying inside.
Read MoreAs families begin to go back to school and work, people may find that their dog that was once able to be home all day alone may struggle and go through a stressful adjustment period. He got used to you being home so much with him and used to the extra attention that having you go back to work/school, just as it may be with you, is going to take a little getting used to again. The stress of having you gone may trigger some not-so-pleasant behaviors such as inappropriate chewing, excessive barking, and excessive scratching. These behaviors could be a sign of separation anxiety or distress when you are at work. To prepare your dog now for the transition, follow these tips:
Read MoreDogs will be dogs. They see things differently then we do. They do things differently then we do. For example, when meeting new people, we typically shake their hand. Dogs however, meet each other by sniffing each other’s rear ends, a manner in which we humans find quite rude and disgusting. It is also not appetizing for us to consume cat feces; however, this is quite a delicacy for some dogs. Due to our species and cultural differences, dogs will always do things that we humans just don’t understand. Many of the problem behaviors that we view as problematic, are not at all an issue for the dog. It is just normal behavior for them. What dogs need to learn is to have good manners and how to live with us in a way that meets both their needs and our needs at the same time.
Read MoreCan I travel with my Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) or Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) service dog?
Absolutely! PSD’s and DAD’s are service dogs under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so there are very few restrictions about where they can go with their owners. Under Title II and Title III of the ADA, a service animal is permitted to accompany its handler into a building or facility where members of the public, clients, customers, and program participants have access.
Read MoreI recently made calls to several “experienced” dog breeders and to several “recreational” breeders in order to add to my list of breeders and because I am often asked by families to recommend breeders and shelters where they can purchase a dog from. The information I gathered was very enlightening.
Read MoreOne of the top dog training priorities for dog owners is potty training. Every dog is different in what motivates them and the time it takes to potty train. The breed of the dog and gender of the dog can make a difference as well. Below are some tips to help in potty training your dog.
Read MoreYou are your dog’s most important influence. You have the ability to shape your dog’s behavior by teaching him new lessons and to reshape bad behaviors or habits that he may currently have into good ones. When a dog is displaying inappropriate house manners, one of the first things that I recommend doing is kennel training your dog. The kennel is a valuable management tool and can be a great place for your dog to relax.
Read MoreIn your mind are there certain names that make you cringe, make you quake with fear, or give you images a positive, happy person or memory? What does your dog associate his name with?
Read MoreDog parks can be a wonderful place to take your dog to allow him to exercise, give him a chance to run, and to play and socialize with other dogs. It does however come with a lot of rules for proper behavior on both the part of the dogs and the owners part. Below are 12 items to keep in mind when taking your dog to the dog park
Read MoreWith the temperatures here in Buckeye, Arizona reaching 116 degrees, it is not safe for dogs to go outside and play for very long. This leads to a lot of pent up fur-baby energy. So what are you to do? Whether you live in a hot climate like Arizona or a rainy or snowy climate, here are my top 5 ideas for you!
Read MoreOver the years of being in the dog training business, one of the main things that I have come to learn is that if you were to ask ten dog trainers what the best way to train a dog is, you are very likely to get ten extremely different answers.
Read MoreDid you know that you may get a tax deduction on some costs related to purchasing and owning a service dog?
Medical expenses are a common thing to deduct on your taxes; included in this category are guide dogs and other service animals.
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