You come in from the yard after the dogs' last out before bed. The younger dogs head to the dog room and their crates. You've rearranged and you point the puppies who grew up in your home to their crates' new locations. They all but shrug as they head to their new crate, unbothered, unphased. The dog that came to you as an adolescent? They spin in circles, they bolt from the room - back and forth, back and forth. You patiently (you've been here before with them and other dogs

This is a post about dogs. I suspect, when you start reading you might doubt that assertion, but it is a post about dogs. While humans and dogs are vastly different species and there is much that is not universally applicable between the two species, people tend to find parallels a useful way to learn. I'm going about my life and despite the fact that we are in a global pandemic, finances are tight for everyone, the fear of disease is prevalent, life is ultimately good. I

I learn from dog show judges all the time. I learn when and how to evaluate a particular trait, how to tell ring stress/nerves/excitement from structure. In return, I regularly speak with judges about a Azawakh when they ask, and since good judges want to learn, they often do ask after breed judging is done. But judges are still human. I know the requirements to become a judge. I've idly consider pursuing my judging license many times. I regularly do puppy structure exams a

Quixote (pink) lure coursing with mom Amidi (yellow) - Credit Skinny Dog Photography Last year in straight racing in this region, we went...

I've meant to write this post for some time now, and I've always put it off because there's a lot of ground to cover and it's a topic...

I have a good number of horse people in my life. I've held long conversations with them on this topic and it's always been fascinating...

My Control Unleashed class presently has an Azawakh, a Saluki, a Silken Windhound, and Foxhound mix. A lot of trainers would be tearing...

I have started this post so many times that I've lost track. Inevitably I abandon it no more than a paragraph or two into what is a...

"I failed him." "I should have done better." "I need to be more vigilant." "I should never have put her in that situation." "I know my...

I'm writing this looking at Azawakh puppies that will grow up to be smart, alert, loyal, reserved adults and hopefully they will be...

I usually try to stay pretty neutral and open in my training posts. I have some pretty strong beliefs regarding dog training, but I try...

When I was working at the training facility, something we'd hear often was: "My dog has separation anxiety." My mentor would talk them...

You can never let a ________ off leash. Fill in the blank. You can never let a sighthound off leash. You can never let a terrier off...

As much as I like the far-reaching philosophical posts, they are sometimes a little bit difficult to write and take a little bit more...

At our Fourth of July dinner I started to feel tired and fuzzy. By the time I finally decided I needed to leave and go to bed I was...

When I got Ash, I was under contract to have him wear a tag collar at all times. I didn't know better at the time, I just left his...

I work quite often with anxious dogs. I enjoy building confidence in fearful dogs. I live for helping build healthy coping mechanisms...

This proved to be a tricky and complex piece to write. It's also a piece that I have been repeatedly asked to write. It's a volatile...

I just finished up one of my favorite classes I've ever taught or taken. The class was my new Real World Adventure class, which met at a...

I consider myself a LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive) trainer. I know some would certainly disagree and I will be honest, my...