Posts Tagged ‘puppies’
Teaching Fun Dog Tricks
Dogs’ brains are built for fun with their people. You can make it easy for them to work-to-earn treats, praise, and most important – physical contact. When I show Mick…
Read MoreDitch wading & bird songs
Young Mick Nichol enjoys his daily jaunts along the irrigation ditches because, well, because he’s a dog. Leaving the home territory to sniff, investigate, read the bulletin boards, and post…
Read MoreTeaching Stay
Who wants to stay? We may not want to but a dog can, if we motivate him. Mick is just learning that if he watches me, and then I show…
Read MorePuppy Heebie Jeebies
Last in a series Be ready for your excellent new pupster’s grand entrance. Have a covered crate for nighttime sleeping, food-dispensing toys, and a drag line (6 foot leash the…
Read MoreLeave It!
How much garbage and other poop should a dog eat on a leash walk? You can yell LEAVE IT! and jerk hard on the leash but your dog may only…
Read MoreMick & his Chick
We picked our boy Mick, in part because he has a social nature. It turns out that he’s never met a stranger. Mick visits this hen on a daily basis.…
Read MoreWalk well On-Leash & Come when Called
Dogs of any age can learn to walk well on leash and come when called. Start by setting the kid up to succeed with no distractions. I told Mick to…
Read MoreSo Many Cute Puppies – Where Do You Start?
Many puppies are gifted with perfect homes. We love that. Sadly, some are the wrong fit from the get-go. When planning to puppy pick start with common sense. If you…
Read MoreDoing Down – How Much Better?
Mick is getting clear on the concept of “Down” on command but he still needs a little hint so he can succeed every time. There’s no point in putting an…
Read MorePuppies are Cool & Complicated
First in a series Adopting a baby dog isn’t the only way to bring a member of this excellent species into your life but if you decide to take this…
Read MoreWild & Exuberant – Punish? Yell? A New Skill?
Out-of-control behavior in a dog of any age can drive you crazy. Reprimands and physical corrections teach nothing, except more intense agitation. Instead, you can “redirect” your kid to earn…
Read MoreGet into a Dog Crate? Are you Kidding?
Mick is only a kid. He’s not ready to be trusted to behave if we left him loose in the house at night. A dog is a denning creature but…
Read MoreYour Dog Digs Where???
Digging dogs can damage a great yard. Don’t punish; it’s normal behavior. Instead, give that dirt dog its very own wonderful digging box. Make it attractive by loosening the dirt,…
Read MoreTeaching “Down” – Step 1
Dogs love to work for food. You don’t need to push a puppy to ground. Give the “Down” command as you use a treat, as a lure, to show that…
Read MoreTag Team at Aztec?
Puppy kindergarten teaches healthy play during the sensitive period of socialization. Mick and his BFF (Welsh corgi) wrestle with wild abandon. A fun loving pug considers joining the fun and…
Read MoreComing when called – longer distance
Young Mick (now 15 weeks old) has been practicing his recalls. We started with a little tug using a short leash. Now he comes reliably from longer distances but we…
Read MoreGrowling at Kids?
Find out who won Question: What do I do when this 9 week old puppy growls at the kids when they want to pick her up? She lives to crawl…
Read MoreDog Brushing made Possible
Some dogs hate to be groomed. But a hungry dog can earn tasty treats while lying still for gentle brushing. Sitting on the floor, rather than leaning over, will help…
Read MoreMick, Come!
13 week old Mick is not too young to learn basic skills. Dogs are programmed to earn resources like food and attention from their leaders. Mick already knows how…
Read MoreSit at Door
A dog racing through an open door can knock people down and risk him getting loose. Mick is learning to sit at the door and wait for the “OK”.…
Read MoreProjectiles Save Lives
Second in a series My first instruction, with Charley Garcia still on the phone, was NOT to remove the stick from her dog Ruby’s chest. Leaks can kill. That grotty…
Read MorePuppy Kindergarten
Mick enjoys meeting other puppies and he’s doing it at the right time. Their developing canine brains, between ages 7-12 weeks, has them ready to be socialized with people and other dogs…
Read MoreSweet Destroyer Poopster
Third in a series Don’t lock him up Bang, bang, ding, dong! Just as Diane walked into the house, finding more of Jasper’s daily carnage, somebody was outside! Fresh scratches…
Read MoreThis is Mick, the Nichol family’s shiny new Border collie puppy, having a wonderful time with a rawhide chip.
Life should be so simple and joyful for all of us. We have named Mick because he ROCKS!
Read MoreRacing Border Collies
Who will win this intense competition? The puppy who comes home with our family in just one week, that’s who. And who will it be? Even we don’t know yet.…
Read More6 week old Border collie puppies coming when called? Why not?
We’ll have our new baby in just 2 weeks – already set up for success.
Read MoreMedia – Who Got What They Wanted?
Last in a series Who Knew? I fidgeted, I hoped unnoticed, as I conducted a final exam of Lila, the Boxer mama and the qualifying 6 of her original 9.…
Read MorePuppy play pen of Barbarian Border collies. Age 5 weeks and wild and crazy. Mom is supervising.
Puppies in Their Spare Time
These Border collie puppies play well with others but there is more to life than fun and games. There is also hiking, snuggling, and fun and games. One of…
Read MoreMedia – Ethical conundrum rocks delivery of puppies
Second in a series Caesarians in dogs and cats usually go well. Lila, the Boxer mama on my exam table, was not entirely tuckered out; her vital signs were strong.…
Read MoreMedia – Boxers in the Night
First in a series Boxers in the Night Semi Pregnancy Who doesn’t love newborn puppies? Veterinarians get to turn difficult deliveries into real joy but it’s often difficult. In the…
Read MoreSnapping at Mom
Is that OK? Dogs are man’s and woman’s best friends but there are species differences.
Read MoreMedia – Kipper’s Boy Kept his Dog
Find Out How I was just 8 years old when I made my first trip to the animal hospital with my new puppy. I felt inspired by Dr. Tuck; he…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – New Baby Dog
The Nichol family is planning to add a puppy. I’ll share my preparations and training plan. Everybody can win.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Getting Wiggy Home Alone
You’ve been working from home with your pupster at your feet but it’s time to go back to the office without your loyal companion.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Body Language & Behavior at Animal Humane
Dog body language and behavior featuring Fish the Dachshund puppy. What is your dog telling you? Watch Dr. Nichol’s video here.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Tearful Partings, Joyous Reunions – Does it Matter for Separation Anxiety?
Helping dogs who freak-out when home alone is complicated. Improvement requires lots of changes but do you have to completely ignore as you leave and return?
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Grooming, nail trims, & ear cleaning – ARRGHH!!!
Some dogs won’t put up with it. They squirm, struggle, and might even bite. Nobody is having fun. We can get this right without the tears and misery.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Training for Better Behavior
Does your dog need to stop a bad behavior? She doesn’t do what you want either, does she?
Read MoreMedia – Picking the Greatest Puppy for Your Life
Sharing your life with a great dog is like any important relationship. Start out on the right paw and everybody has a shot at success. Behavioral research shows that puppies…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Dog Parks – the Good the Bad & the Ugly
Running and playing with other dogs is good exercise and fun for everybody – unless your dog or someone else’s reacts badly. Should puppies go too?
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Puppy Biting
Mouthing? Playful nipping? Or is that youngster snarling and lunging? Get control now – without punishment or fear.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Back to the office-Dogs Panic
Dogs who barely controlled their home-alone angst before COVID, may spiral into destruction, barking, soiling, and escape attempts.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pesky, Jumping Up – Get Down!
Does your dog fling himself at you? At visitors? Is he all over you like a cheap suit when you’re trying to relax? Establish boundaries with kindness – and get…
Read MoreMedia – Freaked-out by Strangers & Sick when Alone
The Mind-Body Connection is Worth Investing Lulu is a sweet, 2 year old Australian cattle dog who was adopted from a shelter just 2 months before I met her. She…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Barking – Way outa control
Noisy dogs can trigger problems. Unhappy neighbors and animal control might visit and ruin your day. You can turn this around with kindness.
Read MoreMedia – Chronic Diarrhea & Vomiting
Help Faster, Better, Cheaper Retching and vomiting or straining to pass diarrhea is pretty miserable. Some dogs struggle often with these symptoms. When does it become too much? You can…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Puppy crazy, jumpy, nippy mouthy
Have you thrown a can of pennies? How about yelling and jerking? A different home? You’re breakin’ my heart.
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Puppy Obedience Training DIY
Dogs who are happy to follow instructions are a pleasure to have as your best friend. But a lot of them just don’t seem clear on the concept. Spare the…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Housetraining
Some puppies are quick learners; others struggle to get clear on the concept. Don’t let frustration damage you and your canine youngster.
Read MoreMedia – Crate House Training
House Rules & Freedom to Move Question: I just brought home an 8 week old puppy and want to ensure the best possible crate training. It’s been 4 days, however…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Bumble Bee on a String
Puppies can be out-of-control on leash walks. Some are panicked. Forget corrections and jerks.
Read MoreMedia – Licking Legs & Everything Else
Nausea is Nobody’s Friend Question: My dog recently had a lick granulomas removed by laser. He was placed in an Elizabeth (cone) collar. When I take off the collar for…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Crying for Mom
Some puppies are highly-stressed in their new homes. Helping the little rascal adjust starts with caring and love. There’s a whole lot more you can do to set the kid…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Gifting Pet? Trojan Horse?
The pets in my life have taught me, saved me, and grounded me. Shouldn’t everybody have unconditional love and support? Maybe. Christmas pet presents can go right or they can…
Read MoreMedia – Scary Low Weight and Rapid Growth
Question: I have an eleven month old Malinois and a year old Pomeranian, both neutered males. My pom seems to be a healthy body size and weight, and my Malinois…
Read MoreMedia – Wild & Crazy Deaf Kid
Punish? Set him up for Success Question: We bought a blue heeler puppy for my son for his 13th birthday. “Bucky” is deaf. He is spunky- too much so. We’re…
Read MoreMedia – Crying for Mom
Not Ready for Boot Camp Question: My new puppy, Buddy, arrived yesterday. He has been socialized with other dogs on a regular basis because the breeder has a doggy daycare.…
Read MoreMedia – Guest Panic
Poop on-the-run is No Fun Question: We got our Jackson at the SPCA in Houston at 12 weeks age. When we were walking him a UPS truck scared him. Since…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Crating Saved My House or Cruel & Unusual
Dogs need a place of their own. That makes crate training important. And you don’t want your stuff damaged. Can they stay in there for a few hours? All day?
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Panicky Puppy Problems
Crying, scratching at the door, chewing furniture and woodwork – these are not the behaviors you were looking for when you fell in love with that cute, wriggling puppy. You’ll…
Read MoreMedia – Alien Invasion
Can Old Cats & Young Puppies Mix? Question: We have a 15 year old cat who is well, happy and calm. In September we will receive a Golden-Doodle puppy from…
Read MoreMedia – Mouth Warts in Puppies
Unsightly but Rarely Dangerous Question: Do you have an opinion on what to do about papillomas in our dog Ella’s mouth and how/whether to treat with azithromycin? The dog Ella…
Read MoreMedia – Brute Fear
Women yes; men no Question: I just watched your YouTube video on dog PTSD. I realize that my dog’s trigger is men. We’ve had her three days and she is…
Read MoreMedia – Prevent Bad Behaviors
Work with COVID19 Restrictions Question: With stay home in place, what do we do if we get an 8 week puppy who needs classes and socialization? Dr. Nichol: You are…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Rambunctious, mouthy, wild puppy
Yell? Spray? Teach? Yelling and jerking a leash hurt the heart. Some puppy parents are advised to hit a mouthing/nipping puppy on the nose. But punishment may trigger fear and…
Read MoreMedia – Big Dogs & Painful Joints
Rapid Growth & the Wrong Food Well-intentioned pet parents dabbled in dog and cat nutrition long before the surge in popularity of raw and grain-free diets. This is no job…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Blog – Mouthy, Nippy, Chewy – Part 2
Fufu, the assertive and overconfident baby dog, arrived woefully unprepared for life in his new home. He was just 7 weeks old when he confused his new pet parents, Melissa…
Read More