There are not many things I believe every dog must know. Day to day routines and households are different, and training should always serve real life rather than a checklist. That said, there are a handful of skills that help dogs integrate more safely and comfortably into our world—and help us live with them more easily too.

These aren’t about control or perfection. They’re about safety, ease and being a respectful community member.

Dogs bark to communicate. But what they are trying to communicate to us can vary widely. It is important to remember that barking is normal for many dogs and while excessive barking can be problematic, there are certain breeds in particular for whom barking is a part of who they are. By understanding the categories of barking we can help to meet our dogs needs, help them through challenges and, yes, address and decrease the barking that can drive us nuts.

Lunging and barking at other dogs from the end of a leash or behind a fence can look like aggressive behavior but is often barrier frustration. By giving our dogs appropriate social outlets we can address this frustration.

Camping season is upon us! Here are some tips for camping with your dog. From helping them settle in to ensuring they are settling in to sleep and recognizing the potential challenges (and training opportunities!) of a new environment.

What do your do if your dog starts to show fear? How does fear develop in dogs? How do we address fear in dogs and can we help them work through it? Can we build dogs’ confidence? Read on as we answer these questions.

Training requires maintenance, just like your car, your fitness or your home! Catching your dog doing the right thing is a great way to easily maintain the behaviors you like. Here are 5 behaviors you can reinforce your dog for doing on the fly so that they are more likely to keep happening.

Traveling with your dog can be joyful and it can be challenging. Here are 5 tips to ease the process and help everyone enjoy your vacation together.