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The Pet Professional Guild
The Pet Professional Guild is a professional membership organization representing pet industry professionals who are committed to force-free training and pet care philosophies practices and methods. Pet Professional Guild Members Understand Force-Free to mean: No Shock, No Pain, No Choke, No Fear, No Physical Force, No physical Molding, No Compulsion Based Methods are employed to train or care for a pet.Find a recent Blog
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Recent Blogs
- Having a Bit More Fun with Our Dogs
- So Tell Me What You Want, What You Really Really Want: Nine Ways Preference Testing Can Go Wrong
- Does Breed Specific Legislation Work?
- Labels and Limitations…..
- A Good Start in Life
- Dog Car Safety: Help – An Escapee!
- Cognitive Dog Training
- The Problem with Punishment
- Change Is Difficult – We Are Humans After All
- Local Enhancement and Socially Facilitated Behaviors in Dogs
- Putting More Tools in the Tool Kit
- A Lesson in Tolerance
- Body Language – Your Dog’s Native Tongue
- Service Dog Teams and Continuing Education
- Dog Park Etiquette
Social Media
Category Archives: Stuff
Having a Bit More Fun with Our Dogs
When I got my first dog as a child no one in the family knew much about dogs, puppy preschool classes were unheard of and the average dog just somehow became part of the family. My father mainly got the … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Behavior, Pet Care, Stuff, Training
Tagged behavior, body language, communication, Dog Behavior, Dog Behaviour, empathy, Force Free, force-free training, humane, learning, pet dogs, pets, positive reinforcement, training
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Does Breed Specific Legislation Work?
Recently a dog incident occurred in the tiny northern village of Plain, Wisconsin. As reported by TV news in the southern part of the state, a lady was walking her dog when three Pit Bulls escaped their home and rushed … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Animal Behavior, PPG News, Stuff, Training, Uncategorized
Tagged american pitbull, american pitbull terrier, bite prevention, breed laws, breed legislation, Breed Specific Legislation, BSL, dog bite, Dog Bites, dog safety, pit bull, pitbull, The National Canine Resource Council, The Pet Professional Guild
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What Is the Purpose of a Real Dog?
Labeling normal dog behaviors like barking, digging, jumping up, chasing, growling and others as problems is something my colleagues and I have started seeing more often in our classes and consultations. However, typical puppy behaviors can include mouthing, housesoiling, not wanting to be alone, … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Behavior, Pet Care, Stuff, Training
Tagged anxiety, Dog Behavior, Dog Training, Dogs, empathy, fearful dogs, force-free training, humane, learning, pet dogs, pets, positive reinforcement, Stress
3 Comments
Choke Collar Pathology
Recently I persuaded a local pet supply store owner to sell me all his choke collars (at cost) and refrain from restocking them, in return for recommendations for safe body harnesses such as Perfect Fit and Balance. He was persuaded … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Animal Behavior, Consulting, Pet Care, PPG News, Stuff, Training, Uncategorized
Tagged Balance harness, cervical injury, choke chain, choke chains, choke collar, choke collars, force-free training, leash jerking, leash popping, leash pulling, leash walking, PCT-A, Perfect Fit harness, Pet Professional Accreditation Board, PPAB, pulling on leash, spinal injury, thyroid, thyroid injury, trachea, trachea injury
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Expectations, Disappointment And Opportunities
When we get a puppy or a rescue dog, as a first time or an experienced dog owner or as a competitor in a dog sport, we have certain expectations. We hope for the perfect companion or the perfect agility … Continue reading
Dog Food Safety Recalls
Pet food safety is a big deal to me, and to my dogs. As my dog’s best advocate I want to know what is in the bag and whether it will harm my dogs. I would like to believe I … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Pet Care, Stuff, Uncategorized
Tagged dog food, dog food recall, dog food safety, pet food, pet food recall, pet food safety, safety recall
2 Comments
Is Calm Really Just Another Behavior?
What is the most difficult thing to teach our dogs? Coming back or a great recall? While I do agree that this is a difficult behavior, I do think teaching calm is much more difficult. Being calm is not the … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Behavior, Learning Theory, Pet Care, Stuff, Training
Tagged anxiety, body language, communication, Dog Behavior, Dog Behaviour, Dog Training, Dogs, Force Free, pet dogs, pets, positive reinforcement, socialization, training
1 Comment
Electronic Containment System or Ambush Predator?
Much has been written about electronic shock (training) devices in their various forms. With all models a dog wears a collar fitted with an electronic device with two metal rods touching the neck of the dog, delivering electric shock. Delivery … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Animal Behavior, Consulting, Learning Theory, Pet Care, Stuff, Training, Uncategorized
Tagged aggression, aggressive behavior, buried fence, dog aggression, ECS, electronic collar, electronic collars, Electronic Containment System, Electronic fence, Fear, hidden fence, positive punishment, PPG Project Trade, Project Trade, punishment
14 Comments
Transparency in Training and Behavior
Those in the world of canine training and behavior know there is a wide gap between philosophy and methods employed by professionals, and even some rifts between professional organizations. It can be confusing for those of us in the field, … Continue reading
Posted in Advocacy, Animal Behavior, Consulting, Stuff, Training, Uncategorized
Tagged behavior consultant, Behaviorist, Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, Business Ethics, Canine Behaviorist, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, Pet Professional Accreditation Board, PPAB, Professional Ethics, Professional Liability, Trainer Liability
5 Comments
Insecure Teenage Dogs at the Off Leash Park
Recently I got asked: “What should I do when my dog goes over to another dog, puts his head over the other dog’s shoulder and, depending on the other dog’s reaction, they will start squabbling?” So far no one got … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Behavior, Learning Theory, Pet Care, Stuff, Training
Tagged aggression, aversive, body language, communication, Dog Behavior, Dog Bites, Dog Training, fearful behavior, force-free training, humane, learning, management, pet dogs, positive reinforcement, Prevent Dog Bites, reactive dogs, socialization, training
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