Desert Haven Animal Rescue (DHAR) is located in Williamsburg, NM, just a few minutes south of Truth or Consequences (they're practically the same town). And they are AWESOME. So awesome, I must share them with you. To that end, I interviewed Greta, one of the main faces of DHAR and one of the most influential forces in keeping the rescue running. Here's what she had to share with you. A little heads up: you won't want to miss the end of this article! What is your mission, and

What is a veterinary behaviorist? Veterinary Behaviorists (or, VBs) go through all the school and training that your primary veterinarian goes through, and then they go on to specialize in companion animal behavior. When it comes to our dogs, we can think of VBs as being kind of like doggie psychiatrists - they have a deep understanding of how biology affects behavior, and they can develop helpful medication, management, and behavior modification plans. When should you consul

Looking for a new park to explore with your dog? Or maybe somewhere they can roam safely and comfortably on a long leash? I generally don't recommend traditional dog parks (a conversation for a different article), and luckily Albuquerque has plenty of great public parks and open spaces that I can, and do, enthusiastically recommend. To be honest, most of these parks were first introduced to me by my clients, so they recommend them too. Let's take a look at some of their favor

German Shepherds. Incredibly smart and loyal. A breed I never pictured myself having in my home, until I met my Ella at the Albuquerque Eastside Shelter. And let me tell you, I had no idea of what I was in for and I quickly came to realize just how much I needed to learn about this powerhouse dog. Here are 7 tips I wish I had known before bringing her home. 1. Understanding Breed-Specific Traits If you are already the proud human guardian of a German Shepherd , it's probably

Many people shy away from muzzle training their dog because of the negative connotation it usually carries, or they don't think their dog would ever need to wear a muzzle. However, muzzle training can be one of the most important skills any dog learns. Let's take a look at situations where it pays off for your dog to be muzzle trained. Why Muzzle Training is Important For Any Dog Muzzles can be great for preventing dogs from eating things they shouldn't. For example, muzzles

Board and train. You drop your dog off for an extended stay with a professional dog trainer who will spend time working with your dog to help them overcome training and behavior challenges. It sounds magical. Especially when you have a complicated doggo who's struggling with fear, anxiety, reactivity, or even some aggressive tendencies and the situation hasn't been improving despite all the things you've done to try and make things better. While it sounds like a promising las

Are you and your dog starting to feel the strain of being cooped up together as it gets more unpleasant to be outside? My dogs and I can totally relate. Here are some easy indoor activities that have helped me and my dogs (and clients and their dogs) stay sane during the winter months. New Toys Don't worry, you won't need to give your dog fifty new toys a week. Though your dog would certainly be thrilled to get one new toy every week, that's not necessary either. Even 2 to 3

Nearly 75% of dogs are estimated to struggle with some sort of fear or anxiety. As a professional dog trainer in Albuquerque, I see first-hand that there's no shortage of cases involving some sort of fear, anxiety, reactivity, or even aggression. Let's take a look at five key factors contributing to the rise in fear and reactivity among our dogs. 1. COVID-19 Shutdowns For many people, the pandemic was the perfect time to adopt a dog or puppy. Unfortunately, now that society i

As a professional dog trainer, leash pulling is one of the most common problems people come to me with. Continue reading to learn about seven of the top contributing factors to leash pulling and how you can improve your dog's leash skills. 1. You might be using the wrong equipment. I've found that dogs who are comfortable are much more likely to respond to training and learn to pull less faster than dogs who are in discomfort while on walks. Properly fitting body harnesses h

It's that time of year again: Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, with Christmas and New Years just around the corner. If you're anything like me, you're super busy right now. To help make shopping for the dogs in your life a little easier, I've compiled this list of deals for you. Here are 10 Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals I've found for you to check out: Woof BullySafe Starter Pack Woof is a small business that has won innovation awards for its mentally engaging

Common dog guardian grievances include their dog barking excessively, pulling on the leash, and jumping on people. Would you be surprised to learn that these and some other frustrating dog behaviors can be resolved without even focusing directly on the problem behavior? Let's take a deeper dive with three case studies. CC the Border Collie CC's guardians did an excellent job of playing fetch with her and taking her on regular walks. They were doing everything good pet parents

Dog reactivity is a common behavioral challenge that can cause stress for dog guardians, their dogs, and other members of the community. Whether your dog reacts aggressively, lunges, or excessively barks at other dogs, strangers, or in certain environments, it’s important to recognize when professional dog training or veterinary behaviorist help is needed. Proper intervention can help your dog better handle stressful situations, feel better about the things currently causing

Becoming a dog parent for the first time is incredibly exciting! Most first-time dog guardians are well equipped with essential supplies, basic dog training tips, and a ton of love and affection. Unfortunately, these are rarely enough to ensure life goes happily-ever-after togeth er. Proper dog training plays a crucial role in ensuring a happy, well-mannered pet and a peaceful household. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or looking to strengthen your dog's skills, these t

There's a lot of debate in the dog training industry about what training methods work best, what tools and methods actually harm dogs, and what is "right" and what is "wrong" when it comes to training dogs. Let's look at the facts. Positive reinforcement Without getting too technical, positive reinforcement is a way of training that focuses on rewarding and encouraging good behaviors, rather than punishing bad behaviors. Research has shown that dogs trained with reward-based

October is National Pit Bull Awareness month! How much do you know about this loyal and loving breed? 1: The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed. However, the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) do recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed. The term "pit bull" is commonly used to describe three breeds: the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire terrier, and the America

What is canine enrichment? Canine enrichment refers to any activity that enhances a dog's mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing, and often involves allowing them the freedom to just be dogs. Toys are one of the most commonly used forms of enrichment, but there are many others: games, puzzles, nose-work, long walks that allow time for sniffing, training sessions, dog sports, and more. Let's take a deeper look into canine enrichment. Why enrichment is important. Our dogs ar

There is a nationwide crisis when it comes to stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs. I want to take a moment to just say thank you from the bottom of my heart for wanting to rescue a dog in need! Unfortunately, not many people can make any dog work for them. There’s a lot to consider : lifestyle, financial situation, personality, health and mobility, other pets or children in the home, etc. It can be difficult to think through all of these things, but it becomes a million t

Many dog owners put up "BEWARE OF THE DOG" signs to warn others that they have a dog, or to deter potential break-ins. While these signs are posted with the intention to protect ourselves and our dogs, in some cases these signs can actually work against us. Let's talk more about it: Semantics matter The words we use can matter a whole lot when it comes to the signs we use on our properties in regards to our dogs. Words such as "beware," "warning," or "caution" can be seen as

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if our dogs are playing or if a fight is about to happen. And sometimes, what we think is a gesture of play is actually an act of dominance or aggression. After all, teeth, loud noises, and making physical contact are often involved in both instances of play and fighting. Here are five common things to keep an eye out for when dogs are interacting to help you determine if they're playing or not. Play Bows You've probably seen these before (if

Dogs. They’ve been with us humans for thousands of years . They’ve been alongside us for so long that many of us feel it’s unnatural to NOT have a dog in our lives. So, we bring these adorable, loyal creatures into our homes and hearts with excitement and anticipation of blissful companionship and living happily ever after. Sometimes though, our daydreams are quickly interrupted by how much time our new buddy needs in ways we didn’t expect. Let’s explore three unexpected time