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An Interview With Desert Haven Animal Rescue
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

Rhiannon
Jan 237 min read


5 Must-Know Dog Behavior Insights I Got From Consulting with Albuquerque's Expert Veterinary Behaviorist, Dr. Jeff Nichol
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

Rhiannon
Jan 197 min read


Best Parks for Dogs in Albuquerque: Exploring Clients' Favorite Spots
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

Rhiannon
Jan 118 min read


7 Pro Tips for Training Your German Shepherd
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

Rhiannon
Jan 56 min read


Why Muzzle Training is Important For Any Dog to Learn
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

Rhiannon
Dec 29, 20253 min read


Should You Put Your Fearful, Anxious, Reactive, or Aggressive Dog Into a Board and Train Program?
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

Rhiannon
Dec 22, 20254 min read


Indoor Dog Enrichment Activities: 10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Dog Entertained this Winter
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

Rhiannon
Dec 15, 20256 min read


The Top 5 Reasons There's a Fear and Reactivity Epidemic in Albuquerque's Dogs
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

Rhiannon
Dec 7, 20258 min read


7 Reasons Your Dog Won't Stop Pulling on the Leash - And What to Do About It
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

Rhiannon
Nov 30, 20255 min read


10 Black Friday Dog Deals Dog Parents Won't Want to Miss: 2025 Edition
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

Rhiannon
Nov 24, 20255 min read


Are These 3 Common Unwanted Dog Behaviors the Problem, or Are They a Symptom of Something Else?
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

Rhiannon
Nov 12, 20255 min read


5 Signs That It Might Be Time to Seek Professional Help for Your Dog's Reactivity
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

Rhiannon
Sep 8, 20254 min read


Top 10 Effective Dog Training Tips for First-Time Dog Owners
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

Rhiannon
Aug 31, 20255 min read


Positive Reinforcement: Don't train this way if you don't want a confident, happy, and secure dog who also listens
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

Rhiannon
Dec 3, 20244 min read


Did You Know These 5 Things About Pit Bulls?
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

Rhiannon
Oct 1, 20245 min read


The What, Why, When, Where, and How of Canine Enrichment
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

Rhiannon
Sep 23, 20244 min read


29 questions to ask when choosing a rescue dog, and 4 other considerations
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

Rhiannon
Sep 16, 20244 min read


BEWARE OF THE DOG: Do you have this sign on your property? Should you?
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

Rhiannon
Sep 7, 20243 min read


How To Tell the Difference Between Dogs Playing and Dogs About to Fight
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

Rhiannon
Sep 6, 20244 min read


Don't let these 3 time investments of owning a dog catch you by surprise
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

Rhiannon
Aug 25, 20243 min read
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