Blog | Taming the Wild

Samson the Great Protector: Your Dog is not Always Protecting You

April 13, 2018 | Tips

As Samson watched, the young woman standing a few feet from him kept stealing nervous glances in his direction. With each flick of her eyes, she would simultaneously jerk the leash she was gripping in her left hand to keep the small dog on the other end from getting too close to him. Even though the little dog had succeeded in coming within a few inches of Samson’s muzzle on a few of its lunges, the dog was nothing more than an annoyance to Samson whose eyes remained fixed on the young woman.

Elsie's Story: Solving a Dog's Fear of Thunderstorms

February 08, 2018 | Tips

The ionized air was detected by Elsie several minutes before the arrival of the booming thunder and the brilliant white and blue talons that streaked through the dark recesses of her home in an attempt to snare her. As soon as she sensed the approaching storm, Elsie raced for the hallway closet that had served as her refuge from thunderstorms for the past six years.

What to Look for in a Dog Daycare

December 03, 2017 | Tips

Your dog is part of your family, and you want to make sure he's well cared for. Unfortunately, with today's hustle and bustle, many people's jobs require that they spend long hours away from home, therefore, leaving Fido alone for many hours during the workweek. Daycare can provide a much needed physical outlet for high energy, dog-friendly canines who enjoy social interaction.

The Origin of Dogs: What Matters?

November 13, 2016 | Training, Tips

Every year, “new” research claims to uncover the “new” origin of domestic dogs. Such is the case in a recent article published in Discover magazine, in December 2016, which points to genetic studies that place the domestication of dogs in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, South Asia or Southeast Asia, and dating their origin between 10,000 and 38,000 years ago.

How to Avoid Animal Attacks While Running

September 26, 2016 | Tips

If you pursue running long enough, whether your runs have an urban backdrop or a mountainous setting, an aggressive dog (domestic wolf) or a wild predator will likely cross your path at some point. Knowing how to lessen your chances of such an encounter is important. Knowing how to survive one is vital. Here are a few tips for both:

Why Periods of Fear Are Good for Dogs

October 15, 2015 | Puppies, Training

Recently, our five-month-old pup Captain has been displaying fearful behavior, such as growling and ducking behind furniture, when confronted by alien dogs and humans who pass by our home at a distance.

Establising trust training taming the wild

Establishing Trust When Training Your Dog

October 07, 2015 | Puppies, Training

Ranger, my seven-year-old, male, Alaskan sled dog, is lying on the frozen ground chewing a stick when Scarlett, a new twelve-week-old female pup, cautiously noses up to him to investigate what he is chewing. Her inquiry is met immediately with a hard, deliberate stare that is accompanied by a low menacing growl. Like an echo from a distant time when all aggression was sparked by competition for survival, Ranger’s growl leaves no doubt as to the outcome if Scarlett fails to heed his warning.

Why Training Collars Are Humane and Effective for Dog Training

October 07, 2015 | Training

There are many stumbling blocks that average dog owners encounter on their way to achieving manageable and peaceful coexistence with their dogs. Limitations in time, money, physical capabilities, and proper knowledge of the dog itself are just a few. Add the latter to the belief that most American’s hold their dogs to near-human standards (this is called anthropomorphism, which is when people infuse a human persona into their dog), and it’s no wonder that manageable and peaceful coexistence can be very elusive.