How to Leash Train a Dog

Last summer, while running a familiar route near my house I noticed a couple walking a black Lab. They were headed my way, so I crossed the street to run past them. I don’t know what the dog saw or heard that caught its attention, but when that Lab took off the woman holding the leash buckled down for a split second before she caught air. I had never seen someone go full Superman from a dog, but she did. She obviously lost her grip on the leash...

How to Train a Good Fishing Dog

There are few fishing buddies who will tolerate the 100th time I say “one last cast!” or endure early spring canoeing in semi-thawed ponds. One I can always count on is my dog, Nelson. He’s there tail wagging as I reel in what could be a personal best or a sardine—excited either way. He’s opened doors to solo fishing which, as a small woman, wouldn’t be comfortable without him there. That said, this 80-pound lug of snuggle and I put in a lot work...

How to Train Your Dog to Stop Barking

There are quite a few different reasons why dogs bark. They may do it out of sheer excitement. Or, because they're in pain. They bark because they are bored, because they are afraid, or simply to get our attention. No matter the reason for their verbal communication, this habit isn’t much fun for the owner. While we want our dogs to bark when someone is trying to break into our house, that’s about it. Other than that, a quiet dog is usually...