The holidays can be a wonderful time to add a puppy or dog to your family, but the holidays also present plenty of challenges. With a little preparation and thought you can get a holiday puppy and take advantage of all of the benefits while avoiding all of the potential pitfalls.

Puppy Disclaimers

Of course I can't talk about getting a holiday puppy without the usual disclaimers. Raising a puppy is a lot of work and a big commitment, and so it's really worhwhile learning about puppy training BEFORE you decide to get a puppy, so you know what you are signing up for.

One of the best ways to...

There are a couple of mistakes that dog owners frequently make which are simple to fix and have the potential to dramatically improve a dog's behavior. These mistakes are a common cause of dog reactivity, but they're also a part of the reason for all sorts of other doggy problems, as well as lots of problems that have nothing to do with dog training!

The first mistake is taking the good for granted. We talk about this a LOT because this is one of the greatest and most universal human flaws. It's so easy to notice what we don't like, what is upsetting, what is frustrating, what we want to

The 4th of July – Dog Dependence Day – A Survival Guide

American Independence Day, the 4th of July, conjures up visions of good times with family and friends, time off, picnics and summer fun - as it should!

What may not immediately come to mind is the fear and anxiety this holiday creates for many of our pets. Large gatherings, unfamiliar dogs, people and surroundings, and loud noises from fireworks and parties can terrify even the most stable dog. One of these triggers alone is hard enough on them but add them all together and you get the powerful impact of “trigger stacking” which,...

Dog Star Daily has a ton of fantasitic dog training content and there is an amazing amount you can learn here. But if you're ready to take your dog training to the next level, NOW is the best time to join the Top Dog Academy.

Since 2016, the Top Dog Academy has been the best deal in online dog training.

Created by Dr. Ian Dunbar, Kelly Dunbar, and Jamie Dunbar, the Top Dog Academy includes hundreds of hours of dog training videos, lectures, eBooks, worksheets, podcasts and courses, including The Behavior Problems Compendium, The Essential Puppy Training Course, The Reactivity Workshop and...