The Canine Behaviorist

03/12/2026

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

🐕‍🦺Why You Should Avoid Pet Foods That Contain Any Kind of Animal By-products!

All Animal By-products are denatured. The information below describes the process of denaturing the Animal By-products that are added to many pet foods like Purina!

Do you really want your dog eating this poison?

Denaturing animal by-products means treating inedible, condemned, or diseased meat with agents like charcoal, dyes, or harsh chemicals (e.g., cresylic disinfectant) to make it visually unappealing and unsafe for human consumption. This process, also known as rendering feedstock, 3D/4D meat, or rendering grade, ensures materials are used solely for pet food, fertilizer, or industrial purposes.

Key Details and Usage Examples:
Purpose: The primary goal is to prevent condemned or diseased materials from being mistakenly or intentionally sold for human consumption.
Methods: Common methods include applying activated charcoal, kerosene, pine oil, or approved green/blue dyes to give the meat a distinct, repulsive appearance, odor, or taste.
Requirements: Regulations require that the material be thoroughly mixed with the agent to ensure it cannot be removed, and in some cases, the carcass must be slashed to ensure deep pe*******on.
Common Terminology: The process often involves "3D or 4D meat," referring to Disabled, Diseased, Dead, or Dying animals.

Usage Examples:
Pet Food Industry: Meat deemed "inedible" is often treated to make it "pet grade," often appearing as a dark grey or charcoal-coated product.
Rendering Industry: Inedible rendered fats and products are treated to ensure they are used for industrial purposes rather than food.
Import/Export: Inedible animal by-products are required to be denatured before being imported to ensure they are not mistaken for edible products.

Any pet food that lists any kind of Animal By-products in the ingredients should never be fed to your pets! By-products are a very poor source of protein which can damage the kidneys, and the chemicals that are used to denature them are known to cause a wide range of health problems.

Unfortunately pet food companies are not required to list the chemicals contained in the By-products on the pet food label.
This is one way that companies like Purina get away with lying to the public. They claim that they do not use any chemical additives in their pet foods. That is a lie! The By-products that they are adding to their pet foods have already been treated with many harmful and toxic chemicals!

Be a responsible pet parent and an educated consumer! Learn to read those pet food labels, and avoid all Animal By-products and Chemical Additives!

Courtesy of The Canine Behaviorist

03/09/2026

🐕‍🦺Reasons to Avoid FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) Surgery in Dogs🦮

FHO Surgery is used by some veterinarians in cases of a dislocated hip in dogs. It removes the ball from the head of the femur, which eliminates the hip joint.

FHO surgery is typically recommended for small to medium-sized dogs (generally under 50-60 lbs) because the lighter body weight is more easily supported by the "false joint" that forms after surgery.

Large or giant breeds: These dogs often have more severe gait abnormalities and a harder time recovering, making FHO a less effective option. A total hip replacement (THR) is often a better alternative for larger dogs.
Highly active or athletic dogs: FHO surgery results in a permanently shortened limb and a reduced range of motion in the hip joint, which may not be suitable for dogs that require high-impact activity or competitive sports.
Obese dogs: Overweight animals tend to have less successful outcomes because the excess weight puts more stress on the developing false joint.

Potential Complications and Long-Term Effects:
While FHO is generally considered an effective procedure for pain relief, potential drawbacks and complications can occur.

Permanent limb shortening and gait changes: This is an expected outcome due to the removal of the femoral head and neck.
Persistent lameness or muscle weakness: Some dogs may never regain a normal gait or muscle mass, even years after surgery.
Reduced range of motion: The new false joint will have less mobility compared to a healthy natural hip joint.
Prolonged and demanding recovery: Successful outcomes rely heavily on a rigorous and consistent physical rehabilitation program which can take several months (up to 6-8 months or more).
Continued pain: Though the goal is to eliminate pain, some pets may continue to experience discomfort after full recovery.
General surgical risks: As with any surgery requiring general anesthesia, there are inherent risks, including adverse reactions to anesthesia or surgical site infection.

Alternative Treatments
FHO is considered a salvage procedure by some veterinarians, meaning it is an option when other, more biomechanically functional, options are not feasible. A total hip replacement (THR) is typically a more effective treatment for restoring normal hip function and is a better choice if the owner's financial situation allows and the dog is a suitable candidate.

I'm not a veterinarian, but I have been working with dogs for over 30 years and I have a background in Animal Science. In my opinion, FHO Surgery is one of the worst surgeries ever created, and it does more harm than good. Avoid it at all costs!

Talk to your veterinarian surgeon about doing an open hip reduction with a toggle. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. The open hip reduction with toggle puts the ball of the femoral head back in the socket and restores the joint.

03/08/2026

Sorry, but I need to vent!!

First I want to say how much I appreciate what veterinarians do for our pets. I have met many wonderful, dedicated, and devoted veterinarians over the years, and have been so thankful for what they have done for my pets.

But I have been noticing an unfortunate trend among vets. And there's no other way to describe it than Greed! When you become a veterinarian it should be because you love animals and want to help as many as you possibly can. And I think that is the motivation for most vets. But when your priority goes from helping pets to making money, you are in the wrong profession!

I recently saw a case where a dog had broken his leg. The owners saw a vet who told them it would cost $18,000 to repair the break! I know that vets have a hospital to run and lots of expenses. But there is no way that any vet can justify charging $18,000 to repair a broken leg!
Especially when they found another vet who repaired the broken leg for only $800. And that vet has all the same expenses as the first vet.

The priority of every veterinarian should be giving the animals the care they need! I don't expect vets to give care for free, however there are vets that will do that to help families who may be struggling financially, but love their pets and want the best for them. A lot of caring vets set up a fund to help families in need with the cost of vet care.

Unfortunately I think there are a lot of vets who have forgotten the reason they became a vet. Along the way they have come to realize that they can make a lot of money, and that becomes the priority. That is very sad and unfortunate.

If you're a veterinarian, do what's right! Put your patients first!

03/08/2026

🐕‍🦺 Keeping Your Dog Safe 🦮

There are many responsibilities of being a pet parent! As I have mentioned in previous articles, one of the most important responsibilities of being a pet parent is keeping your dog safe!

I see so many pet parents who do very irresponsible things that endanger their dog's life!

Today's topic is riding in the car or truck with your dog. First, if you have a truck, never, ever let your dog ride in the back of your truck unless they are in a pet kennel that is properly secured. Your dog could jump out into traffic and be hit by a car and killed. Never tie your dog in the back of the truck. If he jumps over the side he will hang himself!

When riding in the car, always have your dog in a secure dog seatbelt harness. This will protect your dog in an accident just like your seatbelt protects you. Never leave the windows down if your dog is not in the seatbelt harness, some dogs can and will jump out the window.

Keeping your dog safe is part of being a pet parent. It should be a priority for every pet parent. It just takes some common sense.

And don't forget the importance of training and socializing your dog!

02/23/2026

A WORD OF ADVICE TO DOG PARENTS WHO DRIVE A PICKUP TRUCK.

NEVER EVEN DRIVE WITH YOUR DOG IN THE BACK OF YOUR TRUCK! IT IS NOT ONLY STUPID, BUT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!

02/21/2026

The Importance of Training and Socializing your Dog!

I have written many articles over the years about the responsibilities of being a pet parent. I have talked about how training and socialization are essential. I was watching a program on Animal Planet that follows the Humane Society. One of the Humane Society investigators was trying to rescue a dog that was running loose on a busy highway! No matter what she tried, the dog continued to run from her. It was almost run over by a big truck, and was nearly attacked by another much larger dog! It was obvious that whoever owned this dog had failed miserably at fulfilling the responsibilities of owning a dog!
First, the dog had not been kept in a safe environment like a fenced in yard. And it was obvious that the dog had no training or socialization. A dog that is well socialized is not likely to run from everyone. Combine the training with socialization and the dog will probably be more responsive to commands, so you may be able to call the dog to you. Trained and socialized dogs are usually much easier to rescue in a situation like this.

I also want to remind everyone that dogs that are spayed and neutered are less likely to want to roam the neighborhood, looking for a mate or getting into fights with other dogs.

I've said it many times, and I will continue to say it, Train Your Dog! Socialize Your Dog! In a situation like the one I described, it could be the difference between life and death for your dog!
Of course prevention is the best medicine, make sure your dog is on a leash, or in a fenced in yard or kennel when outside.

If you have questions about training and socialization or you need help, I am always happy to answer any questions, and I am always happy to help.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from The Canine Behaviorist

12/27/2025

(For Adoption Groups)

Pet Parenting 101
For Adopters

I think the best way to arrange this would be as a seminar that could take place twice a month, or more often if needed. Have adopters come to the seminar prior to taking their dog home. Doing it this way would be much easier than trying to meet with adopters one on one. However, I am certainly willing to do an in home session with the adopter. The best time to do that would be the day they bring the dog home or as soon thereafter as possible.

The goal of the seminar is to educate adopters about the responsibilities of having a dog. They should also be aware of the additional challenges that they may experience with a rescue dog, such as behavior problems, fear or anxiety issues, anti-social behavior, or lack of previous training.

The main focus will be to educate adopters and give them the knowledge and tools they need to ensure a successful adoption. Adopters must be made aware of any existing issues with the dog, and how to work through those issues. They have to be willing to make the commitment to this dog and the time it may take to resolve any existing issues.

Adopters will be taught about dog behavior and language. They must understand that sending the wrong message to their dog will make a behavior problem worse. They will be taught how to communicate with their dog in a way that the dog will understand. They will learn the importance of using their energy when working with their dog. It is also important for adopters to understand that most behavior problems are created by people. What we project has a strong influence on our dog’s behavior. They will learn the importance of what I call the 3 C’s, always being Calm, Confident, and in Control when working with your dog. The use of positive reinforcement will be an important message throughout the seminar.

Prevention is the best medicine when dealing with behavior problems. So I will teach adopters what to do from day one, from the time they pick up their dog until they go to bed that night. Most new pet parents don’t realize how important it is to start their relationship with their dog the right way from day 1. Starting things off on the right foot can go a long way in helping to prevent a lot of problem behaviors.

To summarize, I want each adopter to leave the seminar with the knowledge and skills to handle any situation correctly.
I want everyone to learn:
1. How to communicate with your dog the right way.
2. How to handle behavior problems correctly.
3. How important your energy is when working with your dog.
4. How to condition good behavior with consistent routines and positive reinforcement.
5. How to prevent behavior problems.

11/26/2025

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from The Canine Behaviorist !

11/11/2025

🐺🐕‍🦺🐶🍂🍁FALL SPECIAL 🍁🍂🦮🐺🐕

Now through January 1st, all training programs are 15% off!
Fall is here and it's a beautiful time of year to get outside with your dog and go for a walk!

But in order to do that, your dog needs to be leash trained. If your dog drags you down the street during your walks, you're not walking your dog, your dog is walking you!

All dogs need to learn to walk by their owner's side on a slack leash, with no pulling. Once your dog learns this, your walks will be much more enjoyable!

I have been helping pet parents with their dogs for over 30 years. If you need help with behavior problems, obedience training, or socialization, The Canine Behaviorist is the best!! I offer the most comprehensive behavior and training programs you will find.

And only The Canine Behaviorist has the Lifetime Resources Program! After the completion of a training program, I will always be available if you ever have questions or need help. Any future sessions that are needed will be provided at No Extra Cost for as long as you have your dog!

No matter what age or breed of dog you have. No matter what problems you may be dealing with, there is a program that is right for you and your dog, at an affordable price.
Programs combine In Home Training with socialization in different places. Sessions are available Monday thru Saturday with morning, afternoon, and evening times available.
Check out my reviews on my page.
Call or message me to schedule a Free Evaluation.

10/31/2025

10/02/2025

We have lost a true hero in the field of conservation and primatology.

Dame Jane Morris Goodall (/ˈɡʊdɔːl/; born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall; 3 April 1934 – 1 October 2025), formerly Baroness Jane van Lawick-Goodall, was an English primatologist and anthropologist.[3] She was considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, having studied the social and fa...