I work with a lot of adolescent dogs. In fact, I just came back from helping a client with an almost year old dog that had successful disemboweled their couch cushions. I had to laugh to myself because I distinctly remember the day some 20 years ago when I came home from work and my… [Read More]
Welcome to Ruffly Speaking.
I hope you enjoy my blog. My goal is to get people thinking, talking and exploring a wide variety of dog-related topics. Please let me know what you think!
11 Ways to Safely Socialize BEFORE Your Pup is Fully Vaccinated
Most of us know that we need to socialize our pups. But did you know that socialization needs to start early? And that it is critical to socialize your pup before he or she has the full set of Parvovirus and Distemper vaccines? So how can you safely socialize a pup before he is fully… [Read More]
What Is “Reward Marker” Training? (aka Clicker Training)
Reward marker training (commonly called clicker training) is my preferred method for teaching dogs new behaviors. It is easy, precise, and makes training fun for both the dog and the handler. But what exactly is reward marker training? Very simply, it is a way to communicate clearly with your dog. It means using a signal… [Read More]
Your Dog Is Wonderful
I have a challenge for you. Can you name all of the things that make your dog wonderful? Why do you like these things about your dog? My dog has many wonderful traits. Here are just a few. Chance is funny and she likes to tell us jokes in a very dog-like way. She is… [Read More]
Ugh. It’s Foxtail Season!
I just came home from a lovely walk with my dog—right through a wild area just filled with foxtails. You know those awful plants with the barbed seedpods. We were pretty lucky today—my dog’s smooth coat sheds the foxtails with ease, nothing lodged between her toes or in her ears, and she didn’t inhale any… [Read More]
What Motivates You to Train Your Dog?
I love training. And my dog loves training. When we are practicing a certain skill or just goofing off, my dog lights up when the training games start and her joy with the process brightens my whole day. Yet sometimes I find myself in a bit of a training slump—today is one of those days…. [Read More]
A Few Favorite Dog Books
Are you looking for something to read on these dark winter days and evenings? Or perhaps a gift for your favorite dog-loving friend? I have a long list of dog books that I’ve been inspired by, learned from, and even found comfort within. Here are a few of my favorites. I’d love to hear about… [Read More]
5 Ways Tricks Can Improve Your Training
High-five. Fetch. Jump through a hoop. Spin, twirl, and take a bow. There is no doubt that tricks are fun to train, and even more fun to show off to friends and family. Check out this video from one of our Tricks and Tasks Classes where dogs learned to choose one item among many, tell… [Read More]
5 Great Reasons to Train Your Dog
What are your top reasons for training your dog? Here are my top 5! 1. Your dog will be happier. When dogs are trained, they generally get to spend more time with their families at home and more time enjoying on-leash and off-leash activities away from home. 2. You may be happier too. Your dog… [Read More]