We remember firsts for many things. When I opened up Love Wags A Tail Dog Training, my first call was from a woman needing help with her Doberson. She was one of those people who had met up with a couple of unconscionable dog trainers who knew little about behavioral science and a lot about cruelty. By the time I met her and her Dobie, Harley, she’d tried choke, pinch, and shock collars and was also squirting her beloved dog {Read More}
Tuna Fudge Dog Training Food
February 3, 2015 by
When I train dogs or teach my clients to train their dogs, I reach for “training treats,” to get the job done. But really, what I use is training food. The word “treat” has more of a non-nutritious connotation, but food is more substantial and hearty. I have a variety of training foods in my training foods cupboard, and one of my favorites to use, because of the reaction I get from the dogs I train, is tuna fudge. It’s {Read More}
Dog Obedience Class in South Florida
February 1, 2015 by
Love Wags A Tail dog training has a good time in our dog training classes even when we’re on the verge of a wind storm, which was what happened during our recent class. We still had time to obedience train our dogs in class, and also train our dogs in Canine Good Citizenship class before the weather got the better of our superb dog training class location in Davie, Florida. We limit our enrollment to four students per class, so {Read More}
Board and Train In Winter
January 27, 2015 by
When a board-and-train client comes to train with Love Wags A Tail Dog Training, though he’s here to learn, he also becomes part of the family. So when we have a cold spell during those traditional winter months, a short-haired breed will find himself wearing some doggy clothing and of course, be prepared to be photographed. This is Hobbes, a 10-month-old Chihuahua who’s going through board and train for housetraining. He’s a brilliant little dog with a lot of personality, {Read More}
Housetraining Plus Management
January 20, 2015 by
One of my favorite board-and-train dogs is the one who needs housetraining. I love potty training dogs. Adult dogs, puppies, young dogs, old dogs, send me your dog who needs housebreaking and I’ll do it. As long as she’s a healthy dog, that is. When there’s something getting in the way of complete housetraining, I can still help with housetraining plus management. I’ll give you two examples of dogs that don’t fit the healthy dog category because they have physical {Read More}
A Dog Guards Her Bone
January 1, 2015 by
This is my dog, Raven, and for a new year’s day treat, I gave her a marrow bone in her crate. When I opened the door to take a few photos, the first thing she did was put her nose over the bone and freeze. Am I going to reach in there and take that bone from her? Heavens no! She’s telling me “This thing here…it’s mine.” What if I needed it back for some reason? I would call her {Read More}
Aromas Dogs Love
December 20, 2014 by
One of the things most of us dog owners find repulsive about our dogs is when they roll in an obnoxious scent on the ground. The more disgusting we find it, the more alluring our dogs seem to find it. Worms, animal excrement, road kill, you name it. If that stuff was bottled and dogs earned money, dog fragrances would be big business. On the other hand, when certain dogs get baths and smell the way we want them to {Read More}
Dogs and Christmas Trees
December 7, 2014 by
If you have a dog who’s fond of your Christmas tree in ways you don’t appreciate, think of it from his perspective. Trees belong outside, and a lot of times, they are used for eliminating on. So bring one into the house, and what else would you do if you were in his paws? Add to that the pretty ornaments, bright lights, and all the interesting and attractive boxes and packages under the Christmas tree, and your dog may become {Read More}
Black Friday at Pet Smart
November 28, 2014 by
Does this look like your everyday routine? If so, contact me to create less havoc at those doors. Helen Verte Schwarzmann Certified in Training and Counseling Certified Pet Dog Trainer-KA Certified Trick Dog Instructor Your Dog Trainer for Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Broward County South Florida By Helen Verte Google +
Thanksgiving Kong Recipe
November 27, 2014 by
Sweet Potato Pumpkin Kong with Marshmallow Topper Place a marshmallow chunk in the bottom of the Kong to plug hole. Fill large Kong with mashed sweet potato and a couple of tablespoons of canned pumpkin. Top off with large marshmallow. That’s a tasty treat for your dog and will keep him busy during dessert. If he’s a pro at de-stuffing Kongs, then put it in the freezer for an hour before giving it to him. I’ve used pumpkin pie as {Read More}
Water as a Dog Toy
November 14, 2014 by
Have you ever thought about water as a dog toy? But truly, it can be! To the right dogs. And who are the right dogs? Dogs who enjoy water. And dogs who enjoy water may enjoy it in different ways. Some like to swim, some like to chase it, and some dogs will fetch from water combining two loves. Here’s an American Bulldog, Lex, who was a board-and-train at Love Wags A Tail. I didn’t know he was a water {Read More}
Board-And-Train Games of Choice
November 7, 2014 by
During a dog’s board-and-train, we play games of choice, which is another term for training. My board-and-train dogs are given choices to do behaviors, and if they comply, they get the reward they’re seeking. If they don’t, they don’t get what they want, but do get another chance at the game until they win. This happens during formal training sessions where the rewards are usually food, and it happens during the course of the day, when the dog wants something {Read More}
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2014 by
Here’s a video of a compilation of this year’s Halloween-Dogs. Happy Halloween 2014! Helen Verte Schwarzmann Certified in Training and Counseling Certified Pet Dog Trainer-KA Certified Trick Dog Instructor Your Dog Trainer for Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie Broward County South Florida By Helen Verte Google +
Puppy Board-and-Train
October 23, 2014 by
If you’re getting a puppy, you may think, “I don’t want to send him away to a dog trainer!” But puppy board-and-train can be the best decision for the start of your puppy’s life, especially behaviorally, and especially when the puppy does his training and boarding through Love Wags A Tail Dog Training. Why? The latter may be answered through our transparency pledge. We tell you how we train your pup and what we do to him when he’s right {Read More}
Three Questions To Ask Your Potential Dog Trainer
October 9, 2014 by
When you’re hiring a dog trainer, one of the questions you should ask is “How are you going to train my dog?” Out of all the calls and emails I’ve had from potential clients, no one’s ever asked me that, and frankly, this is the first thing that should pop into the dog owner’s mind. There are no regulations in the dog training industry. No one has to prove they know basic behavioral science, or that they’re even competent! Anyone {Read More}
