Fetch Success

03/22/2026

02/16/2026

The introduction of a new puppy into a household does not guarantee immediate acceptance by an existing dog.

It is important to remember that the decision to bring a new puppy home was made by you, not by your current dog. Therefore, it is not the responsibility of your existing dog to train or entertain the puppy.

Are you considering bringing home a puppy to your adult dog? 🐶

When looking for a puppy, consider your current dog's age, health, and personality BEFORE choosing a puppy. Look for one that would "mesh" well with your dog. If your dog is older and/or their health is declining, it may be best to wait.

Once the puppy gets to come home, maintain your dog's routine as best as possible while creating a new routine for the puppy.

Be sure to implement management, breaks, and separation. It is not your dog's job to train and constantly entertain your puppy!

Provide times for separate play, exercise, and training, especially while working on socialization.

Not all dogs will take to puppies right away or at all. Address this sooner rather than later to prevent long-term behavioral consequences for your puppy.

02/15/2026

It’s easy to focus on teaching cues like “sit” or “down,” but one of the most powerful things you can teach your dog is how to be calm.

This is especially helpful for high-energy or herding-type dogs who struggle to “turn off.”

As a mom of 3 pit bulls, we focus on this a lot!

01/29/2026

Aggressive behavior does not equal dominance.

Aggression is a behavior that can occur in response to stress, fear, a perceived threat, or something unpleasant for the learner.

Just because your pet responds aggressively in a situation doesn't mean that they are "dominant" or that they're dominating you or another animal.

There are many different reasons we can see aggressive behavior, such as:
▪ Fear-based aggression
▪ Territorial aggression
▪ Possessive aggression
▪ Redirected aggression
▪ Conflict-related aggression

Talking about what dominance is or isn't is a complicated topic for another day😉
HOWEVER, we need to realize that just because our pets do something undesirable, it doesn't mean they're trying to dominate us.

05/30/2025

We are a group of Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Doctorate level Animal Behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior. Join us and discover how insight into animal behavior can strengthen the human animal bond and enhance....

05/13/2024

It's a common misconception that dogs behave in ways to intentionally express anger or seek revenge. Their behavior is typically a response to fear, anxiety, or frustration, rather than human-like emotions such as spite or revenge. Understanding this can help us better address the root causes of their behavior and provide appropriate support and training.
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The Ten Myths of Canine Behavior
Myth #4: My dog is angry at me and just being spiteful.
Dogs do not possess the same level of critical thinking skills as humans. Dogs think in the moment, not about long-term consequence. Behaviors that we might interpret as anger or spite are often motivated by anxiety, frustration, and fear instead.