Murphdog Magazine

ARE TWO DOGS BETTER THAN ONE?

July 4, 2024 jrobbins3 adoption, ADOPTION & RESCUE, BEHAVIOR, HEALTH, HOUSETRAINING, INFORMATIVE-, puppy training, RESCUE, SAFETY, SENIORS, SOCIALIZING, TRAINING-, walking

Are two dogs better than one? Is one dog easier to take care of? Are two dogs more expensive? Will two dogs be on the same schedule? Will two puppies be happier than leaving one alone? There are many things[…]

WHAT DOES POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT REINFORCE

July 4, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, INFORMATIVE-, SAFETY, SOCIALIZING, Training Blog, TRAINING-

WHAT EXACTLY ARE WE REINFORCING? “Positive Reinforcement” has become a familiar term when considering how to train a dog. However, there is a lot of confusion about what this means and how it applies to the dog being trained. Let[…]

HE’S NOT BEING BAD – HE’S JUST A PUPPY!

July 4, 2024 jrobbins3 adoption, ADOPTION & RESCUE, BEHAVIOR, HARNESSES, HYGIENE, INFORMATIVE-, LEASHES, pet parent, puppy training, RESCUE, TRAINING-

HE’S JUST BEING A PUPPY! STAGES OF LIFE As humans, we think of children in terms of babies, toddlers, and teenagers/adolescents. Canines also have stages of growth and maturity recognized in terms that are identifiable by physical and behavioral changes.[…]

A NEW FAMILY MEMBER AND IT’S NOT A PUPPY

July 4, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, HEALTH, INFORMATIVE-, puppy training, SAFETY, SOCIALIZING, Training Blog, TRAINING-, WALKERS

Pet parents soon to become real moms and dads to a baby are always concerned about how their canine baby will react. Dogs can be gentle, loving, adoring, attentive, protective, jealous, resentful, fearful, reactive, or aggressive. Most pet parents have[…]

A DOG’S GOOD MANNERS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE

May 17, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, COLLARS, INFORMATIVE-, LEASHES, pet parent, puppy training, RESCUE, SOCIALIZING, TRAINING-, walking

One reason pet parents tend to cross the street to avoid confrontation when walking their dog is to avoid embarrassment. I know some of you are probably shaking your heads in agreement. I know this to be true because embarrassment[…]

WORKING WITH YOUR DOG’S REACTIVE THRESHOLD

April 29, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, INFORMATIVE-, LEASHES, pet parent, puppy training, SAFETY, TRAINING-, walking

We have all heard and used the word threshold meaning the sill of a doorway, entrance into a house or building, or any place or point of entering or beginning. But in Psychology, the threshold refers to the point at[…]

THINK! HARLEY “STAY” WITH ME WHILE I AM WALKING!?

March 22, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, puppy training, TRAINING-, walking

Dogs can understand hundreds of words and can be taught to do remarkable jobs. Some of my clients teach their canine family members to understand two languages… and yes, that is possible. One thing to be aware of is teaching[…]

ARE YOU TEACHING YOUR DOG BAD HABITS?

February 11, 2024 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, puppy training, TRAINING-

How wonderful it is for our canine family members to have a safe, fenced, backyard to run around and play, get that burst of energy out, chase another dog, race after the kids, catch a ball or frisbee, have a[…]

DISPLACEMENT BEHAVIOR IS SELF-DEFEATING BEHAVIOR

December 19, 2023 jrobbins3 BEHAVIOR, INFORMATIVE-, pet parent, puppy training, TRAINING-, walking

When we are attracted to someone in a socially stressful situation, it’s not uncommon for us to run our fingers through our hair or touch our faces, especially if we are self-conscious or lack the confidence to be more outgoing.[…]