WIGGLEBUTT WISDOM
Training Tips and Dog Blog
Teaching Your Dog to Wear a Muzzle or Head Collar
Sometimes there are situations where dogs may need to wear a muzzle. They are a useful accessory available for all dogs that may need to wear one for many different reasons, not just aggression. Fear, anxiety, frustration, and over-excitement can elicit biting where a muzzle can be useful for training....
Diggin' Dogs
You've spent many hours and a fair amount of money getting your yard just right, and within days the grass or garden beds have holes, and dirt is spread out in places it is not supposed to be. Your dog has been busy digging up your hard work. So, how do you deal with a dog that digs?
Digging is...
Chewing... An Adolescent Superpower!
Chewing is a natural dog behavior. Some dogs like to chew more than others. Developing proper chewing habits beginning in puppyhood will not only save your pocketbook but also keep your dog safe.
Chewing is energy. Dogs will chew to release excess energy, relieve stress, or temper boredom. Plus,...
Introducing a New Puppy to Your Adult Dog
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time. And having multiple dogs brings a whole new level of joy to the family. Many families choose to have more than one dog for a number of reasons - one in particular is so the existing dog can have another canine companion and play mate. But to ensure that...
Packing for the Pups
When traveling with our dog, there are a number of essentials we need to remember to bring. Being prepared will make the trip more enjoyable; for you and your dog. Pack food and water bowls, grooming tools, collar with ID tags and a leash. Bringing some comforts from home such as blankets, bed or pillow,...
Preparing a Dog for a New Baby
The question often comes up with young couples where life together begins with a dog, but someday the family grows to include a new baby. Preparation starts long before the arrival of the new bundle of joy. The introduction of a new baby will be far less stressful for everyone if you make the necessary...
Counter Surfing
Dogs are opportunistic. They will experiment with behaviors, find rewarding ones, and do them over and over again. It can be a challenge for dog owners when they find out one of those rewarding behaviors is surfing the counter. Some dogs are very curious, and others can be very persistent. Counter...
Fireworks and Thunder - Sound Sensitivity in Dogs
The Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve are cause for celebration! And in many places across the United States, fireworks “wow” crowds in celebration. But for many dogs, fireworks are a big cause for concern, or panic. Many dogs develop serious sound sensitivity to fireworks, and it can also extend to...
Get Ready for Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is very exciting. Planning and preparation ahead of time will make the transition of your puppy's arrival go more smoothly and make that special day truly amazing.
Before Your Puppy Comes Home
The decision has been made - a new fuzzy family member. And that is what a...
Hitting the Trails with Your Dog
Hiking is a fun summer activity to do with your dog. Hiking trails give us a change of scenery, bring us to new destinations, and often times allows dogs to be off-leash. Your dog can set her own pace, sniff, and investigate to her heart's content, stop when she's tired, and burst into running whenever...
Jumping
A common problem that many pet parents have with their adolescent dog is jumping. Jumping behavior typically starts around 6-18 months of age and with higher energy dogs and puppies. Dogs jump for different reasons, but the most common reason for jumping is because the dog is excited, wants to greet...
Backpacks for Dogs
Many people enjoy the outdoors, and what could be better than sharing that wonderful experience with your dog? Hiking is a great way to provide exercise for your dog and you can find wonderful places for some amazing canine photos. Whether you plan on just an hour, day, or over-night trek, your dog...
Dogs On The Go: Car Safety
With summer coming and vacation plans being made, there are many questions out there about what is the best way to travel with our dogs in the car. Debate continues by experts and dog owners alike as to which is the best way to secure our dogs. Experts agree that some form of restraint for our dogs...
Happy Howlin' Halloween
Halloween is a fun holiday for many; decorations, costumes, parties and tons of candy and treats. For our dogs, Halloween can be very confusing and stressful. Yards are full strange things that weren’t there before, people look different, faces are no longer recognizable, and there are so many wonderful...
Puppy Mouthiness and Bite-Inhibition
Puppies don't have hands. They explore the world through their mouths (not unlike human babies). But, what they don't yet know about humans is that we are far more delicate than their littermates, and they have to be more careful. One of the most important things to teach your puppy is bite-inhibition,...
Indoor Games for Dogs
It is that time of year. Cold winds, rain, and snow may keep us inside and limit the amount of outside exercise we can provide for our dogs. For the first couple of days, our dogs may seem to do fine, and then something snaps and they start driving us crazy! So much energy and there is no outlet to...
Food Safety for Dogs
In the past few years, more items have been added to the list of dangerous toxins for dogs. It is important to know everything that you should to keep your dog away from potentially harmful substances. As always, if you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods or a plant in your backyard,...
Crate Training Your Puppy
There are a number of reasons why crate training can be such an important and useful management tool. First, it satisfies a dog’s natural instinct to den and gives a dog a safe place to settle, retreat to, or just hang out and have a peaceful rest. The crate is a very helpful tool for house training,...