Author: Victoria Schade, CPDT-KA

It’s easy to get caught up in the adorable action on the field at Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl XV, but did you know there’s a ton of cool stuff happening behind the scenes as well? As the key animal handler on the show for over 12 years, I’ve been lucky enough to see it all firsthand—from the puppy players to the incredible special guests.

Resource guarding is a dog’s way of saying “Mine!” with an object, like their food bowl, that they consider valuable. This drive to protect what a dog considers to be their property is understandable when you look at it from an evolutionary perspective: After all, eating is essential for survival, especially because animals in the wild never know when or where that next meal is coming from. But our dogs live a comfortable and predictable life, with scheduled meals and a steady flow of tasty treats. So, what causes resource guarding in dogs? And how can you stop this behavior?

Is your dog in constant motion? Is it impossible to calm her down, no matter how many walks she gets? Your high energy dog needs to channel her drive into appropriate outlets and fortunately, it might be easier and less time consuming to do than you realize. It’s important to try to tire out your dog physically, but remember that dogs have creative, active minds that need stimulation as well. The following are tips and tricks that address the body and brain, and will turn a can’t-stop canine into a chilled-out companion:

Dogs pull because it works – they pull, we follow — and before you know, it you’ve got a certified sled dog on your hands. Walking a “puller” can be an uncomfortable chore and, if you have a big dog that pulls, you might be less inclined to walk your dog because it’s painful. “Untraining” a leash puller is a challenge because you’re competing with muscle memory; dogs get used to the idea that tension around their neck means forward progress. The secret to curbing a dedicated puller is to teach your dog that pulling never works, meaning, when he pulls the walk comes to a complete stop. If your dog circles back to you when you stop, give him a treat when he’s close to you and keep walking. Continue to give him small rewards for maintaining his position beside you as you walk. If he opts to stand at the end of the leash instead of circling back to you, try giving him a “penalty yard” by walking backwards with your dog until he comes to your side, at which point you give him a treat. Then continue walking, giving him occasional treats for remaining close to you without pulling.,We spend a lot of time with a leash between us and our dogs, so it’s important to make daily walks as enjoyable as possible. While we all strive for harmonious leash walks, the reality is that we sometimes accidentally sabotage them, allowing little annoyances to grow into unmanageable problems. The following common leash mistakes can turn a pleasant stroll into a major bummer, but the good news is with focused attention, occasional dog treats and heaps of praise, you’ll soon be on the path to happier walks.

Walking more than one dog at the same time requires equal parts negotiation, puppeteering, and finesse. The frustrations that can come with single-dog walks—like getting dragged down the street and dealing with leash manipulation while picking up poo—can multiply with each dog you add. With practice it is possible to have pleasant multi-dog strolls, and the following tips will help bring peace to your canine caravan.

This classic leash is an all-purpose option for everyday walks. Typically made of nylon or cotton web, a standard flat leash ranges 3-6 feet long. Most dogs do well with 4-6 feet for neighborhood strolls, as this gives pups room for safe exploration. Basic leashes are durable and easy to clean in the washing machine. Consider the thickness of the leash and weight of the clasp when selecting a basic dog leash, because one size doesn’t necessarily fit all. The Frisco solid nylon dog leash, for example, comes in two lengths and several thicknesses, so there’s an option for every pup, from tiny to XXL.,Your dog’s leash is one of the most important dog supplies for your furry best friend. Surprised? It’s more than just a way to keep your dog close when you go for a walk. The right dog leash gives your pup freedom to explore and make his mark on the world while keeping him safe. There are important considerations for him as well as for your end of the leash, like handle comfort and the ease of managing the leash length. So how do you make the right choice for you and your dog? To select the perfect dog leash, consider your canine’s size and temperament. For example, is he a 70-pound puller or a petite and polite walker? Think about where you go for walks, since a hike in the woods requires a different type of dog leash than when walking on a crowded sidewalk. For you, how does the handle feel when you hold it, how is the weight and maneuverability of the leash itself? Below are six of the most commonly used dog leashes and their functions.

Our dogs have amazing noses that are sadly underutilized in their daily lives with us. When they want to stop and check their “pee mail” during a walk, we usually tell them to move along, and when they want to get to know a new friend by checking out the back end plumbing, we blush and tell them to knock it off. However, by restricting our dogs’ sniff time, we’re preventing them for using a sense that’s as powerful to them as our eyes are to us. Teaching your dog to play “find the dog toys” encourages him to use and hone his very impressive scenting ability and provides a level of mental stimulation that’s unlike any other type of partner play. It’s a game that doesn’t require a lot of space, it can be played indoors or out and can be mastered by dogs of all ages. Plus, it’s easy to teach and it’s a ton of fun to watch.

My dogs, Millie and Olive, are scared of thunder and fireworks. Unfortunately, my neighbors love to find any reason to break out the pyrotechnics, so I frequently have to help my dogs through their nervous reactions. The best solution I’ve found to alleviate my dogs’ anxiety is to create their own doggy Zen spaces. Dogs who feel stressed or overwhelmed might react in several ways. There’s the well-known “fight or flight” response. Or a stressed dog may display appeasement behaviors, known as “calming signals,” such as yawning and lip licking. Or your dog might even shut down completely and become so afraid that she won’t respond when you try to interact with her. As our pups’ advocates, it’s our responsibility to help reduce the stressors in our best friends’ lives. There are various ways to decrease stress in dogs, but sometimes all they need is the perfect space to relax in. If your dog has anxiety, you can create a special Zen space built to her preferences to help calm her down.

Everything from the texture of the floor to the unusual noises and smells can be a lesson for your puppy. As with all of the socialization locations, allow your puppy to explore on his own terms and at his own pace. Don’t push interactions, and if your pup seems overwhelmed when the spin cycle starts or the clothing conveyer moves, give him some space. If it’s still too much, head to the next less stressful location.,Socializing your new puppy is a great way to encourage healthy development, and while it’s a critical part of raising a well-adjusted dog, the good news is it’s also tons of fun. Of course you want to show off your adorable new best friend, and socialization allows you to do just that! Taking your puppy out into the world and gently introducing him to positive new experiences helps him learn to be adaptable and sets him on the path to a lifetime of confidence. But where should you go? There are the obvious options, like a well-run puppy class and the local dog supply store, but there’s also a ton of additional spots where you and your dog can have new adventures together. Some of them will surprise you! The following are a few unexpected socialization locations where you and your new best friend can experience different sights, sounds, and friendly people.

Your friends with the incredible lake house just invited you and your dog to visit for a long weekend. Are you excited to go or stressed because you’re not sure how your dog will act? Even the best-behaved pooches can have unexpected behavioral slip ups when hanging out in a new environment, but the good news is you can set your dog up to succeed by doing some planning before you leave and being a responsive pet parent while you’re visiting.