Happy Tail

Have you ever noticed that when your dog seeks retreat he or she goes under a table or bed or into a quiet corner of the house? That’s because dogs are naturally den animals and feel secure when they feel that they can keep perceived danger or stress  outside of their dens. Crates, particularly those that block visible sightlines except for the entrance/exit (i.e. “airline” or transport crate, not a wire see-through crate), are a domesticated adaptation of dens that dogs would instinctively seek in nature for relief from the outside world. We emphasize and encourage crate training for a number of reasons, foundationally to provide dogs their own secluded place. With appropriate training and positive association, dogs see their crates as their safe space.  

Tall Tale

There is no praise in nature, only productive and unproductive behavior.  Nature allows the dog to self sort and “learn” with no external infuences, which results in pro-action vs. reaction. These life lessons are immediate and learned. We believe that these natural lessons should be mirrored in high quality, sustainable dog training… literally “food for thought” Of all of the Tail or Tales subjects, we recognize and believe that this subject is one that many trainers and owners have varying opinions, so we will cover this soon in a more in depth article!

Happy Tail

Choosing the right feeding strategy for your dogs is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Based on our observations, scheduled feeding, as opposed to free feeding, offers key advantages:

First, set feeding times and amounts allows owners to closely monitor their dog’s health by observing their eating habits and appetite on a regular schedule, which can be an early indicator of potential health issues. This routine makes it easier to detect changes that warrant a vet visit.

Second, scheduled feeding significantly reduces the chances of obesity in dogs. As dogs age, their risk of becoming overweight increases; however, a controlled feeding schedule can mitigate this risk by managing their caloric intake more effectively than free feeding. Scheduled feedings prevent overeating by providing measured amounts of food, thus promoting a healthier weight and lifestyle.

Third, scheduled feeding serves as an opportunity for training and bonding between dog and owner. The structure around feeding times can reinforce obedience like recall, offering built-in repetitions of training that enhance the learning experience. This consistent interaction fosters a deeper connection and understanding between pet parents and their dogs.

Scheduled feeding offers health monitoring capabilities, effectiveness in preventing obesity, and the added benefit of reinforcing training and human-dog best-friendship.