Hello, Fellow Dog Lovers!

Happy fall, y'all! (Have I been living in Georgia for too long?) I hope you have all had a wonderful summer and that those of you with kids are settling into the school year routine. Next month I'll be wrapping up filming for my new TV show that will air next year in the UK. I can't wait to share it with you all!

This month has also been exciting because Animal Planet has been airing reruns of "It's Me or the Dog." I recommend checking your local listings each week -- you never know when it will be back on!

As always, throughout this newsletter you'll find exclusive content and training tips that you won't find anywhere else. Hope you enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to check out my blog for more articles from me! 

Neighbors simply don’t phase some dogs. However, for other dogs, a neighbor walking by provides the perfect opportunity to show off their communication skills. For many houses and neighbors, a little dog barking is no big deal. However, if you live in an apartment complex, townhome, or a condo, dog barking can become an issue quickly. Not to mention, living in a complex increases the chances that someone will walk by your front door and, therefore, cause your dog to bark. So let's discuss a few ways to train your dog not to bark at the neighbors.

First, let’s break down the potential reasons WHY your dog is barking at your neighbors. Barking is a primary form of communication for dogs, but what exactly are they trying to say?

I often find that people think using the word "cue" instead of "command" in dog training is just a semantic difference that doesn't have any implication on the training process. I disagree. 

As modern behavioral and cognitive science teaches us more about the complexity of dogs' minds and the way that they think, learn, and explore the world around them, it's becoming increasingly clear that the old-school methods that encourage you to "command your dog to obey" are outdated and downright inhumane. 

Don't worry, this video has a happy ending! But there are so many other dogs and puppies suffering in similar situations. You can help by speaking up if you see something suspicious, and by participating in your town's events for National Puppy Mill Awareness Day this Sunday. Here's where I'll be this Sunday. Say no to puppy mills! 

If you've got a good grasp on your dog's leash reactivity but feel you're still struggling sometimes, here are some tips for later stages of training that may help you really step things up.

1) Keep moving.

This is a tip that I wouldn't recommend for every dog, but it's something that worked well for me. I found that Penny's anxiety when approaching other dogs dramatically increased when I asked her to sit or stop. The feeling of helplessness that she feels on a leash is only made worse by feeling that she can't escape the situation by moving along. So we never stop moving forward. It helps relieve the frustration and panic she experiences, and it might help your dog as well.