Teaching Polite Play

Teaching Polite Play

Summary: Most people who add a dog to their family are excited to see their dog play with canine friends. Not every dog is a paragon of social skills, however, so it is important for trainers to be able to show their clients how to recognize signs of impolite play....
Cat-Cat Play: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Cat-Cat Play: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Summary: Play is an important part of cats’ wellbeing, and in a multi-cat household it can provide exercise and enhance social bonds. Cat guardians should be able to recognize when play is healthy and when it is showing signs of turning into non-play aggression...
Should Play Be Part of a Puppy Kindergarten Class?

Should Play Be Part of a Puppy Kindergarten Class?

Early puppy socialization classes can have the most beneficial effect on the future success of a dog’s life. Good classes teach owners how to better understand their puppy, while introducing the puppy during their most critical learning period to all the things they...
The Shelter Playgroup Alliance

The Shelter Playgroup Alliance

How the Shelter Playgroup Alliance (SPA) Started Toward the end of 2017, I was putting the final touches on a canine enrichment program for the open-admission, high-volume shelter at which I am a behavior and training consultant. I started to develop an inter-dog...