Alabama Dog Academy

02/02/2026

This sums up my job pretty accurately ❤️❤️❤️

01/28/2026

Thank you too, Nandi, you and your hoomom were super fun to work with! I see lots of ear scratches in your future ❤️

01/23/2026

What are the laws about cold weather shelters for outside dogs in the city of Huntsville?

Huntsville’s animal cruelty ordinance (Section 5-6) requires all outdoor animals to be “provided with a structurally sound, moisture-proof and wind-proof shelter large enough to keep the animal reasonably clean and dry.”

The shelter must have a floor, roof, four sides and a door, and the interior should stay above 40 degrees and below 90 degrees Fahrenheit, with fresh (not frozen) water available.
What counts as a violation

An owner who keeps an outside pet without adequate shelter that meets those standards can be cited by the City under the animal cruelty ordinance.

Huntsville Animal Services emphasizes that subfreezing temperatures put outdoor pets at serious risk and uses the rule of thumb: “If you’re cold, they’re cold.”

Practical implications for cold weather

In practice, Huntsville Animal Services is urging residents to bring dogs inside during extreme cold, especially vulnerable animals like puppies or kittens that may not survive subfreezing temperatures and single-digit wind chills.

Well-adapted cold-weather breeds (for example, Siberian Huskies) may tolerate low temperatures better, but the legal requirement for adequate shelter and unfrozen water still applies.

Who to call about a pet in the cold

Inside Huntsville city limits, concerns about an outdoor animal’s well-being can be reported to Huntsville Animal Services at 256-883-3788; when the shelter is closed, callers are directed to the Huntsville Police Department non-emergency line at 256-722-7100.

Please note that this ordinance only applies to people living in Huntsville City Limits. If you see a dog with inadequate shelter outside of Huntsville City Limits, contact the animal control or police department for that area, though they may recognize different standards of care for animals.

Huntsville urges residents to protect outdoor pets in cold weather by providing adequate shelter and water. Violators may face cruelty citations.

01/22/2026

The majority of healthy, adult dogs fall into the middle two categories, even though we humans may wish they would be exceptionally social with all other dogs. I keep this in mind whenever dogs are boarding with me: I have small play groups (typically 2-6 dogs) and closely monitor to make sure that the super Social dogs don't annoy the Selective dogs. The Solo dogs get play sessions with me, which is usually what they prefer anyway as they tend to be more human-social.

This is also why I usually don't recommend taking your dog to large doggy daycares, or popular dog parks. Large groups of dogs are overwhelming to Selective and even Tolerant dogs, and the Social dogs can get themselves into trouble if they pester the wrong dog. It's usually a better idea for your dog to be social with a handful of close friends.

01/02/2026

Over the past week I've seen countless posts on various dog social media groups asking for dog trainer recommendations, and every post ends up with 15-20 different businesses or individuals offering to train their dog. How can you possibly decide which trainer to trust with your dog and your family?

You don't have to choose Alabama Dog Academy. But please at least choose a reputable trainer. There ARE industry standards, though not all trainers follow them. Please check out my blog post to learn some quick ways to spot trainers who are worthy of your time: http://www.alabamadogacademy.com/training-blog/may-11th-2022

06/03/2025

What a great opportunity to Prep your Pet for the stress of the Fourth of July holiday!

The Huntsville Animal Services initiative features free and low-cost resources to help pets stay safe, healthy and home.

04/30/2025

I’m so proud to announce that dogs can count on having a fun experience while boarding with Alabama Dog Academy! This certification means that now you don’t have to take MY word for it when I say that I don’t use pain, fear, or intimidation to train dogs or to handle dogs in my care. For more information about Fear Free Certifications, check out www.fearfreepets.com.

03/27/2025

🤔🤔🤔

🛫 NOW BOARDING- Pick Your Seat! 💺 tag a friend flying with you

02/14/2025

Please do not surprise anyone with a pet😬 But if YOU want a pet, many local shelters are doing low-cost adoptions this weekend!

Huntsville Animal Services will have pets available for adoption for just $14 through Feb. 15.

01/29/2025

Finding a dog with the right temperament is the hardest part of getting a service dog. Nonprofit service dog organizations are constantly researching ways to identify great service dogs. This is an interesting article about one such research project that has determined some important traits for service dogs.

https://www.waff.com/2025/01/26/researchers-nonprofit-organization-work-find-more-service-dogs-those-need/?outputType=amp