Raising Happy Dogs

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Raising Happy Dogs Life with dogs isn't about control, it's about connection. From puppy struggles to reactivity, let's raise happier, calmer dogs together!

I can help you understand your dog's behavior, build trust, and communicate in ways that make sense to you both. I'm a dog trainer, pet behavior consultant, podcaster (Life Unleashed), and author of many books (Puppies for Dummies and Modern Dog Parenting). In my heart, I'm just a pet-obsessed mom who's been helping pets and their people for nearly 40 years.

10/16/2026

When I’m helping dogs get more comfortable with the nuances of their world—especially things that excite them, frighten them, or overwhelm them—I often use a game I call I Spy.

Here’s how it works.

Start in a quiet, undistracted room. Hold something unfamiliar behind your back: a spoon, a coaster, a pen, a brush, your car keys. Keep treats in your other hand.

Bring the object into view. The moment your dog notices it, say “Yes” and give them a treat.

Repeat this a few times, changing hands, changing the height, changing the object. Before long, you’ll notice a pattern: something appears, your dog notices it, then looks back to you.

Now begin using the same game around the house. Ask someone to enter the room. The moment your dog notices them, say “Yes” and reward. Have someone move suddenly, open an umbrella, or flutter a newspaper. Again: notice, “Yes,” reward.

Then take the game outside.

If your dog hears a sudden noise or spots something new on a walk, mark the moment they notice it and reward the check-in.

One important thing to watch for: if your dog is too frightened, excited, or overstimulated to look away, they’re too close to the trigger or the moment is simply too big. I call this red zoning.

Don’t force it. Create more distance, give your dog a little time, and pick the game back up when they can think again.

Once your dog understands I Spy, you can use it in all kinds of environments to help them notice the world without getting swallowed up by it.

If they can’t break away, step back.

Give it a go.

The more we notice what they’re noticing, the easier it becomes to understand the behavior that follows.
10/16/2026

The more we notice what they’re noticing, the easier it becomes to understand the behavior that follows.

Dogs are increasingly alerted by—and reactive to—things they can’t make sense of. Even television can trigger them now t...
10/15/2026

Dogs are increasingly alerted by—and reactive to—things they can’t make sense of. Even television can trigger them now that high-definition screens capture movement so realistically. Imagine seeing a lion appear in your living room, then being unable to find its scent or figure out where it went.

10/14/2026

Got a puppy who grabs everything in sight—including you?

To a puppy, the world is brand new, and anything that moves is worth grabbing! But unless you want to become an animated squeak toy—or a chew toy this Halloween—it’s time to teach your puppy a little self-control.

Start with a precursor to “Leave It”: “Tsst, tsst!”

Find something your puppy dislikes the taste of, such as a pet-safe bitter deterrent, and apply it to an appropriate object before your puppy approaches.

Never spray your puppy, never get angry, and never use the spray to frighten them. The goal is simply to make the object less appealing, not to scare or punish your puppy.

When your puppy pulls away, say “Tsst, tsst!” and immediately redirect them to a favorite toy or another appropriate activity.

With repetition, your puppy can begin to associate the sound with disengaging. Eventually, a simple “Tsst, tsst!” may be all you need.

And remember: Always encourage more than you discourage.

Happy teaching, and Happy Halloween!

When we’re startled, we stop, look around, and figure out what happened. Dogs can’t always make sense of the sudden chan...
10/14/2026

When we’re startled, we stop, look around, and figure out what happened. Dogs can’t always make sense of the sudden changes in our world, so their response may feel more urgent—racing toward the source to investigate.

Dogs can’t make sense of modern society the way we do. They’re still wired for a world of natural sights, sounds, moveme...
10/13/2026

Dogs can’t make sense of modern society the way we do. They’re still wired for a world of natural sights, sounds, movement, and wonder—not machines, confinement, and technology that keeps us constantly alert while barely moving at all.

Doorbells ring, packages appear, strangers cross the threshold, and family members come and go on schedules dogs never c...
10/12/2026

Doorbells ring, packages appear, strangers cross the threshold, and family members come and go on schedules dogs never chose. What feels ordinary to us can be a steady stream of sensory and social demands for them.

10/10/2026

Does your dog love to play grab-and-go? You know the game. They grab a sock, a shoe, or something they shouldn't have, and suddenly you're chasing them around the house. And when you chase them, you've just made the whole thing more exciting.

Well, let's teach them a new game!

First, remember that your dog doesn't know you don’t eat their food or play with their toys. So next time your dog grabs something harmless, reach for a bag of treats or one of their favorite toys. Ignore your dog completely and act interested in what you've got.

When they come over to investigate, guide them to their place. As they release the stolen object, calmly say "Drop." Toss a treat off to the side, casually pick up the object, and move on. Practice this whenever they instigate the game and you'll creating a whole new habit. Eventually, you can even put those grabbing instincts to work teaching fun tricks like "Pick up the laundry!"

Stay tuned for my next lesson on "Leave It." Or scroll back through my feed. It's there somewhere! Just remember, "Leave It" is a direction, not a correction. If we want our dogs to listen, we need to stop interpreting their behavior as malicious or defiant. They're curious, playful, and often just looking for a way to connect with us.

Let's make the world a happier place, one dog at a time!

Follow along and share my site with all your dog loving friends!

Behavior is often a natural response to an unnatural world. You know the delivery truck is bringing your latest online o...
10/09/2026

Behavior is often a natural response to an unnatural world. You know the delivery truck is bringing your latest online order; your dog may experience a stranger approaching their den and sound the alarm.

10/08/2026

Here is a quick fix for teaching your dog to "come."
Always lead with your voice!
Make sure you say "come" when you reconnect, not when they're running away.
Give it a go!

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