Pied Piper's Dog Training

Discover the value of puzzle toys for dogs! A certified dog trainer explains how these toys prevent boredom, reduce anxiety, and curb destructive behaviors by providing essential mental stimulation.

Sometimes, the most expensive dog toys get ignored in favor of a cardboard box or a stray sock. It's a tale as old as time for dog owners! My dog Tonka is no different, but his current favorite toy takes the cake for being both free and utterly hilarious. Tonka's favorite toy is... a Costco milk jug! 🥛 Yep, that square jug many people love to hate is his ultimate source of joy. He'll chase and fetch it again and again, proving once again that the best toys are often the free

As a family with a house full of wagging tails and a few other critters, we've learned a lot about managing a multi-pet household. One of the biggest lessons? The power of one-on-one time with each of our furry family members. When you're diving into the world of pet training—whether it's with a trainer, a book, or a podcast—the first piece of advice you always hear is to start in a distraction-free environment. We often think of our living rooms or bedrooms, and those are gr

To create a great digging pit for your dog, designate a space, add a soft digging medium like sand or loose soil, and bury toys and treats to encourage your dog's digging behavior. Supervise your dog, redirecting them to the pit when they dig elsewhere. Regularly refresh the digging medium and buried items to maintain interest. Here's a detailed guide: 1. Choose the Location and Materials: Location: Select a spot that's convenient for you and your dog, and consider whether yo

Summer is here, and with it comes the usual list of concerns for dog owners: hot pavement, fleas, and ticks. But did you know there's a third, often overlooked, seasonal hazard that can cause just as much trouble? This humble grass seed can be a real pain for your pup if you're not careful. Foxtail grasses, with their barbed seeds, can be very dangerous for dogs. These seeds can easily become lodged in a dog's skin, ears, eyes, nose, and even lungs, leading to infections, ab

In today’s world, it seems that everyone has a hectic schedule. So when I tell my clients they should walk their dogs one at a time, I often get a look that says, “Are you crazy? Who has time for that??” Meet Tonka & Piper Having a multi-dog household myself, I completely empathize. But here’s the thing: when we take both (or more) dogs on a walk, there’s a level of competition (good old sibling rivalry)—who’s going to walk in front, who’s going to smell that leaf first, who’

As January rolls out the fresh first days of the new year, many of us reflect on our resolutions to eat healthier. It's a time for positive change, but while we improve our diets, we must also consider our pets' health. One often-overlooked danger is artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol. Xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, is commonly found in products we use daily—such as chewing gum, sugar-free desserts, candy, mouthwash, toothpaste, and some peanut butters. Unfortu