Dog Behavior

Your tiny dog doesn’t sweep you off your feet when they pull on walks, but their pulling ruins the walk nonetheless. I know exactly what that’s like – pulling on …

Matilda and Cow have gotten good at listening and staying close to me at the dog beach, with or without a leash.  In your living room, your dog does an …

Playing with your dog isn’t much fun if all she wants to do is take her toys and play with them by herself. I wasn’t sure how to play with …

The dog park can be a great place for your dog to run around without a leash, but it’s not for everyone. You may decide not to go to dog parks …

For me and Matilda, puppyhood was bittersweet. She was at her tiniest, and arguably her most adorable with those indecisively flip-floppy ears – but she was also incredibly skittish, and …

Once you’ve learned the basics of positive training and have picked up enough ideas from blogs and books to keep you busy for the rest of your dog’s life, you …

The dog has been blessed with a precious gift – the ability to bark and tell us exactly how they feel. Barking may not seem like such a miracle when your …

I call Little Dog Tips a blog about “positive training for small dogs,” but until now, I haven’t quite defined positive training, what it means to me, and why I …

Some dog lovers say, “If my dog doesn’t like you, neither will I.” If I sticked to that mantra, I’d hate most men. Between me, Matilda and Cow, we’d have …

Slurp, slurp, slurp… it’s a noise that makes your stomach turn especially after the fourth minute straight.  Licking is your dog’s way of getting to know the world around her through …

Unlike babies, dogs can be pre-selected for gender. None of that, “oh, I don’t care as long as it’s healthy,” nonsense. But what if you don’t actually know if you …

Nighttime crying really puts a damper on the joy of a new puppy. During the first few weeks, you’re trying to get a head-start on potty training, crate training, obedience …

It’s that time of year again. We’re all making New Year’s Resolutions and looking forward to becoming better people – more importantly, better dog owners – in 2017. In your never-ending quest …

Sometimes, dogs are little people with fur. We understand them, and they understand us. At other times, we remember that they’re animals – weird ones at that – driven by …

Does your dog love her crate? If she doesn’t, don’t worry… she’ll let you know. Make your dog’s crate her sanctuary, and she’ll be less likely to have separation anxiety and potty …

Every puppy is different. Even those within the same breed, within the same litter, can vary in how quickly they learn and pick up house manners. Puppies are definitely born …

Hide and seek is a fun game to play with your dog – but it’s also much more than that. It’s a very special bonding experience. It teaches your dog …

I love listening to Whitney Houston songs when I’m feeling low-energy or could use some Woman Power style motivation while I’m writing. There’s one song in particular that reminds me …

Never a dull moment in a multi-dog household – especially when you sit in the sidelines for an action-packed game of Bitey Face. If you’re new to having 2+ dogs, …

Your dog performs this simple trick by lowering her front legs while her hind legs remain in a standing position. She probably does this every time she wakes up from …

Bark collars punish your dog for barking by emitting an irritating, high-pitched sound, a spray of citronella, or delivering a painful static shock via metal prongs on your dog’s neck. …

Sit is usually the first command people teach puppies, as well as older rescues and adoptees. However, if your dog is long beyond being taught “sit” for the first time, …

I love sharing pure, all-around good news, so as you can imagine, I was thrilled to learn that, Yes! Dogs can laugh. Many dog behavior experts have observed a short, …

For a long time, I’ve been losing sleep over this. Does my dog ACTUALLY love me – or does she just see me as a source of food, comfort and …

This is a guest post! Please support our latest contributor by commenting on and sharing this post. My partner and I just picked up a Boston Terrier puppy about a …

Little dogs live the longest – if they stay safe at home.  The outside world is a dangerous place for our littles. Before I moved to California and got a …

Yesterday was the last time you’ll ever be lonely. For the next (hopefully) 20 years or so, you’ll have a loyal, portable, snuggly companion. I’m sure you’re over the moon, …

Matilda is a well behaved dog – except for those times when she dashes out the door. Which is at least once a week. D’oh. The d’oh is on me – …

It’s a knee-jerk reaction that’s hard to suppress when something truly awful is happening. When your dog is chewing up a cute shoe, stealing your taco, or jumping on your …

In my previous post, you read about how I saw some good in Cesar Millan. I felt he could use his influence for a world of good for dogs everywhere… …