When dog lovers hear the phrase “mountain dog,” their thoughts naturally turn to the big guys: Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and other large, immensely powerful breeds created to guard flocks and rescue luckless travelers amid the world’s great mountain ranges. But dogs specially bred to thrive in high altitudes come in all […]

You’re bringing home a new dog. You’ve searched for the right adult dog to become a member of your family. After careful thought and planning, the day has come. It’s important to recognize that, although you had a chance to think this through, your new dog has no idea that an unknown family, strange household, […]

Sometimes the biggest challenge in dog training can be preventing a well-meaning family member from sabotaging the process. In some respects, teaching people how to train their dog is the equivalent of asking them to be the student and the teacher at the same time. And because consistency is key with dog training, it gets […]

Starting to teach tracking skills at an early age can be a great way to build a puppy’s confidence, since he or she is in charge when it comes to finding a scent. But tracking work can be beneficial for an adult dog as well. For most of his life, one of our Pyrenean Shepherds, Speed, […]

“Is that a Labradoodle?” “No, it’s an Otterhound.” “A what? I never heard of them. What were they bred to do?” “Hunt river otters.” “Oh. My friend has a Labradoodle.” Probably every Otterhound owner has been part of a conversation like this. “Doodles,” whether “Labra–” or “Golden–,” are a popular trend, as are a number […]

Time flies, and the years pass so quickly, especially in dog years. Is there any one of us who hasn’t let out a sigh upon realizing that their dog is no longer a puppy, and fast advancing into adulthood and finally the “golden years”? Whether you are a breeder, competitor, or pet owner, the thought […]

Ed K.  I have called twice, and both times was given great ideas to get my picky eater to eat. I also followed their game ideas, given to use up my puppy's energy in a positive way. Both times the helpline trainers were friendly and patient with me and also very encouraging. Sherrie C. I […]

For a lot of new dog owners, it can be difficult to determine how often you should bathe your puppy or adult dog. The truth is, the answer depends on a lot of factors. “How frequently a pet needs a bath greatly varies based upon their breed, lifestyle, length of coat, and how much homework […]

Bills in Montana state Legislature: Senate Bill 280- Revise bird dog training laws. Status: Hearing was held on February 14 in Fish and Game Committee; awaiting further action. Summary: Montana Senate Bill 280 would expand the types of bird training available to game birds not raised in captivity through a low-cost licensing system. A Class […]

In January, the American Kennel Club (AKC) issued an action alert noting the New Hampshire Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was accepting public testimony on SB 164, relative to biodiverse environments and land-use requirements.  Section 11 of the bill would have changed the legal status of animals by formalizing the creation of private contracts […]