Holidays can be incredibly stressful. Between travel, meal planning and prep, family politics, and a disrupted schedule, Thanksgiving takes a lot of energy and attention, especially for something that is supposed to be about sitting around the table and relaxing. There are strategies to help make your dog find Thanksgiving less stressful (long walks before … Read more
2020 has been a record-breaking year in so many ways, including record numbers of people deciding that staying home makes now a great time to add a pet to their family. Venture Dog Trainer Brandi McKnight has a strong background with rescue pups and is a long-time trainer with Houston Pets Alive. Here are some … Read more
Canine Enrichment is a concept that focuses on providing your dog with the chance to use their skills- mental and physical- to engage with their environment in an interactive, self-directed way. This can have huge benefits that include decreased stress and boredom, increased confidence, and keeps dogs mentally and physically healthy. Enrichment started with wildlife … Read more
Getting ready to head out with your pet for some fall fun this coming weekend? October brings us cooler weather and great places to socialize our pets, along with pumpkin and costume photos galore! Here are a few tips to make your pumpkin patch visit more success and less of a struggle! Know your dog … Read more
Let’s cover the topic of hitting the dog as a form of punishment. Just so we’re on the same page to start, as a certified dog trainer, I do not recommend any form of forceful physical contact when it comes to punishment. Hitting, swatting, spanking, pinching, or holding is justified by some sources as a … Read more
Have you ever wondered if you should keep your dog’s food down all day or put it down only during meal times? This topic stems to fuel a debate amongst pet owners and definitely an understandable one. This concept is called Free Feeding and has some cautionary concerns that come along with it. When a dog feeds throughout the day, this gives them access to food anytime they want. In fact, when I visited my local pet store, I found a bowl with a gallon jug attached to it. Just as one would fill a water jug, the owner is responsible to only feed the dog when the gallon gets low or empty. Although this makes things easier for a pet owner, is it the most beneficial for the dog? Let’s take a look into 3 important categories that highly impact a dog’s life. Medically … Read more
Are you interested in building your dog’s instinctual drive, create a fun environment, and improve their obedience all at the same time? Look no further than mental and physical exercises. But, first, let’s understand the importance of why these games and exercises matter before we dive in deeper into how to implement this. Improvements of … Read more
You notice your dog’s tail shoot under their rear, their eyes widen, and they are obviously looking for an easy escape route. Suddenly, the playful dog that you normally know is not so playful anymore. They stop wanting to take treats and you can’t help but feel bad as you watch their legs tremble in … Read more
It’s Independence Day of 2020. I wish I could just tell owners to practice safe distancing and celebrate in your home with your own dog. Sounds fun, right? One problem with that idea is we have literarily been doing just that for the last several months due to COVID19. To many, I understand the phrase … Read more
I get it! You’ve done everything. You’ve watched all the TV shows about dog training, and practiced all the techniques you saw on YouTube. You’ve asked friends what to do, and even found a Facebook support group of people who like dogs and tried their suggested tips, but nothing you do helps your dog with … Read more