by OLK9Alex | Nov 13, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Mastering Potty Training: A New Dog Owner’s Guide Potty training is one of the most important first steps for new dog owners. While it takes patience and consistency, it’s also a wonderful way to build trust and communication between you and your pup. Whether you’re...
by OLK9Alex | Nov 12, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Nature Walk Therapy — Reducing Stress with Outdoor Adventures When life feels overwhelming, the simple act of clipping on your dog’s leash and stepping outside can do wonders. Fresh air, movement, and the joyful energy of a dog exploring the world create a natural...
by OLK9Alex | Nov 11, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Old Dog’s New Joy When Sam moved north, he didn’t know what to expect.At twelve years old, the big yellow Labrador had spent his whole life under the warm sun of the south — chasing tennis balls across dry grass and snoozing under porch fans. But when his family...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 29, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Find Their Fun: Choosing the Best Play Style for Your Dog No two dogs play exactly the same. Some want to chase a flying ball into the horizon, others would rather wrestle with a rope toy or solve a puzzle for treats. Understanding your dog’s preferred play style...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 24, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Winter Wonders: Protecting Dogs From Cold & Frostbite Winter can be a magical time for dogs—fresh snow to dig in, exciting scents carried on frosty air, and fun family activities outdoors. But while many pups love the cold, winter weather can pose serious risks...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 22, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Fuel for Flexibility: Nutrition That Protects Joints When it comes to your dog’s mobility, nutrition is more powerful than most people realize. The food you choose influences everything from inflammation and cartilage strength to weight management and recovery. Just...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 17, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Puppies, Adults, and Seniors: How Age Affects Sleep 💤 How a Dog’s Age Shapes Their Sleep Just like people, dogs’ sleep needs evolve as they grow. A young, bouncy puppy might nap in short bursts all day, while a senior dog may sleep most of the afternoon away....
by OLK9Alex | Oct 16, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Confidence Through Clarity: Helping Your Dog Learn Faster Confidence Comes from Clear Communication Every dog, no matter the breed or temperament, thrives on clarity. Confusion and inconsistency can lead to frustration, anxiety, or hesitation. When your dog...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 15, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Life on Duty: Police and Military Working Dogs When you think of bravery, you might picture soldiers or first responders — but many of them have four legs, wagging tails, and sharp instincts. Police and military dogs have been saving lives, detecting danger, and...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 13, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Problem-Solving Pups: How Dogs Think and Learn Have you ever watched your dog figure out how to open a door, move a chair to reach a treat, or ring a bell to go outside? These moments show just how sharp our canine companions really are. Behind those wagging tails...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 9, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Fall Fun with Your Dog in Albany Albany, NY, is a hidden gem for dog owners looking to enjoy autumn’s crisp weather and colorful scenery. The capital city comes alive in the fall with stunning foliage, festive events, and plenty of dog-friendly activities. Whether you...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 8, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Recognizing Fall Allergy Symptoms in Dogs As the crisp fall air sets in and leaves start to turn, many people enjoy the change in seasons. But for dogs, fall can bring a new set of challenges—seasonal allergies. Just like humans, dogs can react to environmental...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 7, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Fall Toxins That Can Harm Your Dog Fall brings crisp air, vibrant leaves, and cozy evenings. But along with its beauty, the season also introduces hidden dangers for dogs. From fallen leaves that harbor mold to poisonous mushrooms and toxic yard chemicals, fall is...
by OLK9Alex | Oct 6, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Trick-or-Treat Etiquette with Dogs: A Guide to Safe Fun Halloween night is exciting—kids in costumes, glowing decorations, and lots of activity outside. While it might be tempting to bring your dog along for the fun, trick-or-treating can be overwhelming for them....
by OLK9Alex | Oct 2, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Winter Gear Every Dog Needs Just like humans, dogs benefit from the right gear to help them handle winter’s chill. Whether it’s braving icy sidewalks, playing in the snow, or just staying cozy indoors, the right winter essentials can make the season safer and more...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 30, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Best Food for Senior Dogs Aging is a natural part of life, and with it comes a shift in your dog’s nutritional needs. Senior dogs often face changes in metabolism, mobility, and digestion. Choosing the right food can help keep your pup comfortable, healthy, and full...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 26, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Measuring Canine Intelligence: Beyond Obedience When most people think of a smart dog, they picture one who knows tricks, follows commands on cue, or competes flawlessly in obedience trials. But the truth is, canine intelligence is far richer and more complex than...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 25, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Quality Time: Why Dogs Just Want to Be Near You If your dog follows you from room to room—even to the bathroom—you might wonder if they’re clingy or just curious. The truth is, many dogs express their love language through quality time. For these pups, simply being...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 24, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Travel Bucket List: Dog-Friendly Trips to Take If there’s one thing dogs teach us, it’s to embrace the moment and live with joy. What better way to celebrate that spirit than by exploring the world together? Traveling with your dog isn’t just fun—it strengthens your...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 23, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Hachikō: The Dog Who Waited Forever Some dogs capture our hearts with their playful antics, others with their intelligence. But few have ever moved the world the way Hachikō, an Akita from Tokyo, Japan, did. His extraordinary loyalty to his owner transformed him from...
by OLK9Alex | Sep 22, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Mystery of the Zoomies Zoomies: Fun or Frustration? Few dog behaviors are as entertaining—and sometimes puzzling—as the sudden, whirlwind bursts of energy that make your pup race around the house or yard at lightning speed. Commonly known as the “zoomies” or FRAPs...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 12, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Living in the Moment: Lessons from Your Dog Humans often live in the past or future — replaying yesterday’s mistakes or worrying about what might happen tomorrow. But dogs? Dogs live fully in this moment. They aren’t concerned about the next walk while they’re...
by OLK9Alex | Aug 7, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
How a Dog’s Nose Leads the Way If you’ve ever watched a dog outside, nose pressed to the ground and tail wagging in excitement, you’re seeing the world through their most powerful sense — smell. Dogs don’t just use their noses; they rely on them. From identifying...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 31, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
What ‘Natural’ Really Means on Dog Treat Packaging You’ve probably seen the word “natural” plastered across dog treat packaging at your local pet store. It gives the impression of something wholesome, clean, and healthy—but the truth is, “natural” doesn’t always mean...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 30, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Seaweed: The Ocean’s Gift to Your Dog When we think of seaweed, we usually picture sushi rolls or seaside rocks—not something to add to our dog’s bowl. But this ocean vegetable is an unusual superfood that can offer your dog a tidal wave of health benefits when used...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 28, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
A Day in the Life of a Farm Dog Near Albany, NY Sunrise Over the FieldsSay hello to Buck, a loyal Border Collie who lives on a farm just outside of Albany, NY. His day starts with the rising sun. As light pours over the rolling hills and cornfields, Buck stretches,...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 25, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Science Behind Your Dog’s Sudden Energy Bursts What’s Really Going On in the Brain? Those sudden, hilarious, high-speed runs—aka zoomies—may seem like pure chaos, but there’s actually a fascinating neurological explanation behind them. Zoomies, or Frenetic Random...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 24, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
10 Brain Games That Challenge and Entertain Your Dog Your dog’s brain craves just as much attention as their body. While walks and fetch are important, engaging your pup mentally can prevent boredom, reduce behavioral issues, and boost overall happiness. In this blog,...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 23, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Mental Stimulation on the Move: How Walks Enrich Your Dog’s Mind We all know that walking is great physical exercise for dogs—but did you know that it’s equally important for your dog’s mind? Every step outside is a chance for your dog to explore, engage, and think....
by OLK9Alex | Jul 22, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
How Dogs Use Their Nose to Communicate While humans rely on words, tone, and facial expressions to communicate, dogs have a more subtle and complex system—one deeply rooted in scent. A dog’s nose isn’t just a super-powered sensor for survival; it’s a primary tool for...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 21, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
How Socialized Dogs Are Safer and Happier When you picture a happy dog, you probably imagine a wagging tail, relaxed body language, and curious interest in the world. But many dogs don’t get to live this way—not because they’re “bad dogs,” but because they never...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 8, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Service Animals: What They Do and Who They Help Service animals are more than just companions — they’re lifesaving partners for people with disabilities. These specially trained dogs (and in rare cases, miniature horses) perform essential tasks that allow their...
by OLK9Alex | Jul 1, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Safe Swimming for Dogs: What Every Owner Should Know Swimming is one of the best ways for dogs to cool off and burn energy during the summer, but it’s not risk-free. Whether you’re headed to the lake, the ocean, or your backyard pool, understanding water safety is...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 30, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Busting Dog Dental Myths: What’s Fact vs. Fiction? Dog dental health is surrounded by all sorts of myths — many of them well-intentioned, but potentially harmful. Believing these myths can put your pup at risk for painful dental disease and even serious systemic...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 26, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Raw Meat… or Should They? Raw food diets for dogs—also known as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food)—have become increasingly popular among dog owners. Proponents claim it mimics a natural, ancestral diet and leads to...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 25, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
What Your Dog’s Bark Really Means We’ve all heard it—a bark at the doorbell, a yip at the squirrel outside, or a howl when you’re leaving the house. But barking isn’t just noise. It’s one of the primary ways dogs vocalize their feelings and intentions....
by OLK9Alex | Jun 24, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Cooked vs. Raw Bones: What’s Safer? Not All Bones Are Created Equal If you’ve ever wondered whether a cooked chicken bone or a raw marrow bone is better for your dog, you’re not alone. The debate over cooked vs. raw bones is one of the most common—and most...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 23, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Indoor Activities to Burn Energy Safely When It’s Too Hot to Play Outside… Play Inside! Heat waves can feel like a prison sentence for active dogs. With the sun blazing and sidewalks sizzling, even early mornings or late evenings can become too risky for exercise. But...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 20, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Common Causes of Hot Spots in Dogs Hot spots—those inflamed, painful patches of skin—can appear quickly and worsen in a matter of hours. But what exactly causes them in the first place? While they may look like isolated skin issues, hot spots are often symptoms of a...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 19, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Common Causes of Canine Ear Infections Ear infections in dogs can sneak up quickly—but the good news is, they’re often preventable. By understanding what causes them, you can take steps to minimize the risk and protect your pup’s ear health. Let’s break down the most...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 18, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Science Behind Your Dog’s Window Obsession It’s a scene familiar to almost every dog owner: your pup is perched at the window, eyes alert, tail occasionally wagging, nose twitching. To the casual observer, it might seem like your dog is simply enjoying the...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 13, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Anatomy of a Dog’s Paw Pad When you touch your dog’s paw, it might just feel like a tough pad of skin. But beneath that durable exterior is a surprisingly complex and specialized structure built to handle wear and tear, protect joints, and provide sensory...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 12, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
One Dog Year Equals Seven Human Years You’ve probably heard the saying: “One dog year equals seven human years.” It’s been around forever and sounds like a useful rule of thumb—but it’s not actually accurate. Dogs age at a much different pace than humans, and that...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 11, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Breeds with High vs. Low Prey Drive One of the best ways to predict a dog’s behavior is to look at their breed history. Prey drive isn’t randomly distributed—it’s deeply tied to what dogs were originally bred to do. Whether you’re adopting or buying a puppy,...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 10, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Matching Energy Levels: Finding a Dog Breed That Fits Your Activity When choosing a dog, one of the most important—and often overlooked—factors is energy level. A mismatch can lead to frustration on both ends. Whether you’re always on the move or prefer quiet...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 9, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
How to Choose the Right Rescue Dog for Your Lifestyle Adoption Success Starts with the Right Match It’s easy to fall in love with a sweet face or a wagging tail—but when it comes to adopting a rescue dog, compatibility is everything. Choosing a dog that aligns with...
by OLK9Alex | Jun 4, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Dogs Teach Kids Responsibility in the Best Way In a world filled with school assignments, screen time, and structured routines, teaching children responsibility can sometimes feel like a chore in itself. But what if there were a fun, natural, and emotionally rewarding...
by OLK9Alex | May 29, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Creating a Calm and Present Home for Your Dog Your home is your dog’s entire world. While you may leave for work, errands, or travel, your dog often spends most of their life inside your home environment. That’s why creating a calm, present, and mindful home...
by OLK9Alex | May 28, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
Eco-Friendly Grooming Products for Dogs If you’re working toward a greener lifestyle, don’t forget to check your dog’s grooming routine. Traditional grooming products often contain harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and wasteful packaging—all of which can affect...
by OLK9Alex | May 27, 2025 | Albany Dog Trainer
The Health Perks of Potty Training Your Puppy Potty training your puppy is often thought of in terms of convenience—keeping your carpets clean and your home smelling fresh. But beyond that, there’s a deeper, more important reason to take it seriously: your...
