Pet Lifestyle Archives - The Academy of Pet Careers

How Old Should You Start Grooming a Puppy?

The ideal age for a puppy to start grooming is between 12 and 16 weeks, assuming they are up to date on their vaccinations. Preparing for Your Puppy’s First Groom Once your puppy has become accustomed to its new home and family, you can begin to prepare it for it’s first grooming appointment. The…

What is Kennel Cough?

Are you boarding this holiday season? Are you having your pets groomed? Do you know where your neighbor’s dogs have been recently? All of these situations can cause concern for susceptibility to the disease commonly known as “kennel cough.” Here are a few tidbits you may wish to know prior to speaking to your veterinarian.…

Acclimating Dogs to Face Masks

In the past few months, our lives have changed dramatically. Many of us have had the opportunity to spend a great deal of time at home with our furry family, which has been a luxury. There is a real concern for many of those pets that as we begin to go back to work, our…

Preventing Separation Anxiety as We Return to Work

For many of our dogs, the past few months have been a blessing. They’ve had their people home all day. Every day. It is their dream come true. A dog’s heaven. And now we’re beginning to head back to work. A lot of dogs will feel this shift very strongly. After months of total togetherness,…

Canine Enrichment during the COVID-19 Pandemic

As communities begin taking direct action regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, people will be stuck at home for 2-4 weeks (or longer). Some areas have already begun this self-isolation while others are just gearing up. Working from home might keep you busy, but what about our furry family members? They may be used to going to…

Canine Enrichment for the Real World

By Allie Bender, CDBC & Emily Strong, CDBC Book Summary A major focus in all my training and behavior modification work is ensuring sufficient and appropriate enrichment for my client dogs. But, what exactly is enrichment? Is it just physical exercise? Just mental stimulation? And if it is those things, what constitutes “sufficient and appropriate”?…

Halloween Can Be Scary For Dogs

Some dogs are comfortable with all sorts of people and are not put out by people in weird getups or strange makeup. But those dogs are the exception. Most dogs, even very people-sociable dogs, can become worried about seeing people in costumes. From strange makeup to full-face masks, and costumes that change our shape from…

Playing Tug of War: Good Exercise, Great Bond-Building

Tug Of War Image, The Academy of Pet Careers

There is a school of thought that suggests we shouldn’t play Tug of War with our pups because it can create aggression. That same school of thought will say that if you do play Tug, make sure you always win so that the dog knows you’re the boss. I could not disagree with that…

Is Doggy Day Care Right For My Dog?

Doggy day care is a growing trend for busy dog parents. It’s an excellent place for many dogs to socialize with other dogs, get exercise and burn energy while the humans are off at work. But, is doggy day care the right option for all dogs? Dogs Who Would Benefit from Doggy Day Care…

The Benefits of Using a Dog Muzzle

At The Academy of Pet Careers, all students (both grooming and training) learn to acclimate dogs to wearing a muzzle because it’s such an important skill to have. And as a professional trainer and behavior consultant, I believe that every dog should learn to be comfortable wearing a muzzle. Many people cringe at the…