Running with your dog can be a fun physical and mental job for you and your dog to enjoy together! If you are unsure if your dog is the right breed or age for running please consult with your veterinarian. Not all breeds do well with running so a little prior research is a smart plan. If you have cleared running with your dog by your vet, these tips and… Read More
Tissues, socks, shoes…the list goes on! Dogs love to get a hold of these items but they’re not always the safest items to turn into toys and we don’t want our nice pair of Nike’s to become the next chew toy! Common household items dogs often chew aren’t always soft material items, but could also include the kitchen chair legs and baseboards. Not only is having items throughout our house… Read More
Separation anxiety is something we as dog owners try our best to avoid in our canine companions. Though we can do many things to be proactive and try to avoid this, there are times when young puppies exhibit this behavior when we first bring them home. When figuring out if our new puppy has separation anxiety or not, we want to be observant of a few key behaviors that exhibit… Read More
“Oh, he gets jealous!” is a phrase we’ve probably all heard as we’re petting a dog and the other one squeezes its way in for pets and attention. What we perceive as jealousy in dogs isn’t necessarily how dogs perceive it. A dog who squeezes its way in for attention is asserting dominance on the other dog and often on the person giving the attention. While we may think it’s… Read More
It may come to be a surprise to some people, but dogs can also have allergies just like humans. Similarly to us, the allergies are caused by many different reasons including, food, chemicals, and environmental factors. An allergic reaction is when your dog’s immune system starts to react negatively to a specific substance. Symptoms may range from mild to sever and can be internal or external issues. It is important… Read More
Puppies often have intestinal worms and although they can become a major problem they are usually treated very easily if you catch them early! Worms are so common that all puppies should be given a deworming medicine on a set schedule as standard practice. Even when following a deworming protocol your dog can still be infected with worms. Some common signs are: Diarrhea Bloody Stool Worms in Stool Worms in… Read More
Some people may tell you that playing tug of war with your puppy is a bad idea. We disagree completely, as long as you follow some clear guidelines. Tug of war can actually be used to help you raise a friendly well adjusted dog with great manners. Please review our tips below: Play Gently! Puppy teeth are not strong. Puppy teeth can easily be damaged or even pulled out, so… Read More
Kennel Cough is a common ailment that affects many dogs, but it is more common in puppies or dogs with compromised immune systems. Kennel Cough is just a generic name for a common respitory infection that dogs can get and is often associated with kennels. It is quite contagious but it generally isn’t very serious. Common symptoms of Kennel Cough are a dry hacking cough, hacking up spittle, lethary (add… Read More
Hide and seek is a great game to play with your pup. Not only is it fun for both of you, but it is great exercise and gives your pup a lot of mental stimulation. Hide and seek requires your dog to use their brain in a way that they don’t often do. They have to think critically and also learn to use their nose. This helps tire them out… Read More
If you have been reading these training articles, you have assuredly seen a theme of exercising with your pup. After all, nothing says ‘responsible dog owner’ as much as going for the obligatory daily walk. Not only are daily walks needed, but they are fun! We encourage all dog owners to walk their dogs each day, starting from a young age. Going on a walk is good exercise, it helps… Read More
You’ve just gotten your new pup and are excited to start your lives together! Now for the first and maybe most important task; naming them. This should be a fun activity shared by the family, but there are a few things that you should consider when doing so! The best dog names are those that are one to two syllables. Not only are they easier to say, but also trouble-free… Read More
We have noticed a ton of families deciding to get a new puppy during the COVID-19 quarantine. With everyone being home, it is actually the perfect time to add a new pup to the family! With much of the country under shelter in place orders, parents are now working from home and children are adjusting to e-learning. This means the most difficult part of getting a puppy, potty training and… Read More
Many people only worry about their dog getting a tick when in a wooded area, but most ticks actually live on tall grasses, just waiting to latch on to your pet. There might even be ticks in the bushes and ornamental grasses in your own yard. Another common misconception is that ticks are only present during the warm months, but they actually live all year round. Ticks are arachnids like… Read More
When you bring a puppy home the first thought on your mind is probably having fun! Afterall, the reason we get dogs is that we love them so much and they bring untold joy to our lives. Our goal as dog trainers is to ensure that clients and their dogs have the best possible lives together. To achieve this goal we focus on helping people raise a puppy correctly from… Read More
I will save you the suspense. We are 100% in favor of kenneling all puppies when they are unattended. A puppy generally does not have enough impulse control to resist chewing things they shouldn’t and this can lead to big trouble! Many puppies consume things such as medicine, carpet and clothing when they are left unattended and this leads to a lot of unnecessary surgeries and even deaths. When someone… Read More
When someone adopts a dog there are generally questions about the dog’s history. Where did they come from? What life experiences have they had? How did they end up here? Rescue groups will do the best they can to provide details, but often the adopter will be told some version of “the dog came from a high kill shelter in the south”. There simply isn’t any additional information to give…. Read More
As mentioned in our “Picking a Puppy” article, littermate syndrome is a serious behavioral condition. The condition develops when two young dogs end up bonding too tightly with each other. It may sound ideal when dogs are such close friends, but major issues can arise down the road. The problem is that their relationship with each other can stop them from creating proper bonds with humans and hinder their social… Read More
Do you live in or around San Antonio and want to know the best places to take your four legged friend? Below is a list of groomers, boutique dog stores, and bakeries that make a great outing for both you and your dog! Dog Stars! is home to one of the most knowledgeable groomers! Karen Sullivan, owner of Dog Stars, maintains very high standards for her staff. They are educated on… Read More
Today is the day! It’s the day you and your family have been waiting for! You finally get to bring your new puppy home! Puppies are oh so cute, and oh so little! They trip and fall over their feet which they still aren’t sure how to control. Don’t forget about the puppy breath that is always accompanied by those razor sharp teeth. Often times we have wanted our new… Read More
This video shows some Suburban K9 Dog Trainers working with their pups on a beautiful day in Yorkville, Illinois. They are working on both on leash commands and off leash manners. Thanks for watching!