By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Bart Emken, CPTD-KA With spring already upon us and summer just around the corner, it’s a perfect time for you and your dog to get your game on! Canine sports are not only a great outlet for energy, but they provide a powerful opportunity to strengthen [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Bart Emken, CPTD-KA One of the most common canine phobias that we’ve seen at DogBoy’s is the fear of groomers and grooming. For many owners, getting their dog groomed can be as harrowing as taking them to the vet. There may be multiple underlying causes contributing [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, CPTD / KPA-CTP, and Bart Emken, CPTD-KA If you’ve followed our blog, you know that we’ve been vocal opponents of aversive dog training right from the start. We’ve warned about the damages inflicted by tools like shock collars, choke chains, and electric fences, and railed against the harmful [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Bart Emken, CPTD-KA We’re quickly heading towards peak flea season here in Texas. Fleas thrive in hot and humid conditions; sound like our summers to you? As the temperature and precipitation steadily rise, dog owners need to be on guard for any and all signs of [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Amanda Ott Just like us, dog’s eyes and ears need an occasional cleaning to flush out gunk and to help prevent possible infections. Unfortunately for our canine pals, they lack the opposable thumbs necessary to perform this delicate task, so it’s up to us owners to [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Amanda Ott. Although people tend to stereotype man’s best friend as carefree and happy-go-lucky, dogs are much like humans when it comes to sadness, anxiety, and even more serious mental health issues like depression. Canine depression can rob your dog’s desire to play, depriving them of [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Bart Emken, CPDT-KA, Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Amanda Ott. Ah, one of the great mysteries of life: why oh why does my dog eat grass? Owners have struggled with this riddle for years. Are their tummies upset? Are they lacking vitamins? Is grass just delicious? If you’ve been puzzling over [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Bart Emken, CPDT-KA, Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Amanda Ott. Throughout the year, and especially during the sweltering summer months, dogs shed their excess fur to keep their coat fresh and clean. Humans actually do the same thing, but we don’t quite create the mounds and mounds of lost hair as [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Bart Emken, CPDT-KA, Jen Larson, KPA-CTP & Amanda Ott Last month we discussed how to spot and report pet abuse, but today we’d like to discuss taking the next step: fostering an abused dog. Here’s how to give these poor souls the tender love and care they’ve always deserved, but [...]
By Courtney Emken co-written by Bart Emken, CPDT-KA, Jen Larson, KPA-CTP, and Amanda Ott. It’s that time of year again! The temperature is soaring as the sun bears down on Austin, Texas. Despite the heat, many people want to take their dog outdoors for some quality exercise like hiking, walking, or running. Here’s how you [...]
