By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc It is imperative that companion dogs living in homes in the United States are taught to remain inside their property boundaries due to high rates of failure with physical boundaries such as fences, doors, and gates. Roaming outside the home or property boundaries is unfortunately common, with 26.5% of dogs in Starinsky et al.’s (2017) study reportedly escaping the boundaries of the owners’ properties. In modern Westernized socie

In some dogs, training approaches repeatedly fail to yield emotional and behavioral changes. It is well-known that neuroendocrine responses can become dysregulated due to past stress. They may not function properly for the individual, rendering the animal incapable of coping and responding appropriately in certain environments or around stressors. This can lead to excessive fear or even aggression. Learn what this looks like and how integrative approaches can help this.

Understanding Canine Humor and Playfulness By: Eileen Koval, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, MSc Does your dog play jokes on you, laugh, or have a sense of humor? Mine undoubtedly do. Two of my dogs have had very witty personalities, playing different jokes on me and my husband over the years. Dogs undoubtedly have distinct personalities, but they are often discounted for their abilities to experience deep emotions. Research by Jaak Panksepp and others shows that all mammals experien

Cultural attitudes toward animal welfare affect veterinarian and owner perceptions of their dogs' pain levels with spay and neuter. There are no federal or state law covering sterilization or pet welfare in these procedures. Messaging has focused heavily on the idea of spay and neuter solving unwanted behavior issues. Yet, shelters overflow with surplus pets, and the top reason cited by owners is "behavior issues". How do other countries compare? How can these issues be