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3 weeks ago | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Sit is one of the first things many people teach their dogs, and it’s a helpful trick. It’s the foundational skill for a sit-stay and can be used for future impulse control work. You’ll also see sits utilized for exercise in canine conditioning, and a good sit is important for dog sports like rally and obedience, too. Read on for three different methods you can use to teach your dog to sit.
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1 month ago | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Building a relationship with your dog takes time and effort. Although it’s plenty of fun to bond with a new dog, your four-legged friend might not adore you instantly. Creating a positive relationship with your new dog will ensure she trusts you, has fun with you, and looks to you for guidance and comfort. Here’s how to connect with your dog through training, cooperative care, and more. Meeting all of your dog’s basic needs will help you bond—and will keep your pup at her happiest and healthiest.
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1 month ago | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
There’s no doubt that Doodles are cute. The fluffy, curly coated puppies can make anyone’s heart melt, but should you buy one from a breeder? The main draws of Doodles—a “hypoallergenic” coat and a family-friendly temperament—are not always consistent. The first popularized Doodle was a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix, bred in 1989 by Wally Conron as a guide dog prospect.
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2 months ago | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Barking can be incredibly endearing or amazingly annoying. Some dogs bark the entire way around an agility course. Other dogs bark every time someone rings the doorbell. There are many types of dog barks, and some are more problematic than others. If you find yourself with a dog who nuisance barks, it may be time to dig into the reason why your dog might be barking, and try out some training solutions. Read on for tips on how to stop a dog from barking.
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2 months ago | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Chewing is an instinctive dog behavior. From puppies chewing on everything in sight to older dogs settling down with a good stick, dogs love to chew. Chewing is a self-soothing activity, and dog-safe chews are good for stress release, teething, and can even help with teeth cleaning. However, chewing inappropriate items poses health and safety issues for our four-legged friends.
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Jan 23, 2025 | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
If you’ve ever dreamed of your dog pulling you while you run, ski, or bike, there are dog sports for all of those activities. For winter sport lovers, skijoring is an excellent way to get out and enjoy the snow with dogs. Whether you’re a seasoned cross-country skier looking to bring your dog along for the ride or you’ve never skied before, here’s how to get involved in skijoring. What is Skijoring?
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Dec 30, 2024 | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Dogs are natural foragers. They have instincts to hunt, sniff, and consume. While we probably don’t want our dogs to be hunting and eating things outside, the best snuffle mats can give your dog a good outlet to practice this instinctual behavior. Snuffle mats are typically made with lots of long pieces of fabric attached to a base or mat to create a grass-like toy for your dog to sniff through and find food in.
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Dec 22, 2024 | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
Flirt poles allow for erratic, prey-like movement of the lure or toy at the end that’s fantastically fun for pets to chase. Though they’re often used for cats, these tremendous toys aren’t just for our feline friends—there are flirt poles big and sturdy enough for dogs of all sizes, too. Dog flirt poles are an ideal option for playing with your pup in a way that is natural to their instincts.
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Oct 21, 2024 | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
I’ve been teaching my Rough Collie, Dashi, tricks and obedience skills since she came home at 10 weeks old. She began learning agility foundations as a puppy, but true jumping and contact work shouldn’t be practiced with young dogs. While I waited for her to grow up a bit to compete in agility, I began training—and once she was old enough—trialing with her in AKC Rally. Rally is an easy entry point into the world of obedience-based dog sports.
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Oct 2, 2024 | 
whole-dog-journal.com | Jae Thomas |Dashi. Jae competes
From the day we brought her home at 10 weeks old, my Rough Collie puppy, Dashi, was obsessed with flirt poles, toys on long strings or ropes, and anything she could chase or pounce on. As a herding dog, she’s extremely attracted to movement, and anything quick-moving triggers her instinctual herding and chasing drive.
