Good Pets

12/02/2025

Just a snapshot of all the wonderful things that happen at Your Dog's Friend. This Giving Tuesday (or any time), help us help dogs stay out of shelters.

11/26/2025

THE CHOICE TO CHOOSE
WHY DOGS SHOULD BE ALLOWED CHOICE

Imagine every little detail of your life is controlled - what and when you eat, where you sleep, when you’re allowed inside or outside, when you’re allowed to go for a walk and if you’re allowed to stop and sniff, who you’re allowed or forced to interact with, what activities you’re allowed to participate in, when you’re given attention, where you’re allowed to be touched etc.

This would create stress and anxiety, a feeling of helplessness, apathy, a lack of confidence and many other negative emotions. The same is true for dogs.

Dogs live in a world where just about everything is controlled by us.

Allowing choice, no matter how simple or small that choice may be, provides so many benefits.

The context and parameters in which we allow choice is obviously important.

Safety, boundaries, environmental factors, other people or animals always need to be taken into account.

A very long time ago, when my daughter was little, she would flat-out refuse to put on the set of clothes I had picked out for her.

Tantrums and stubbornness would often make us late for wherever we were going. This problem was solved by laying out 3 different sets of clothes and allowing her to choose which set she was going to wear.

These were still within my parameters and were still my choice, but by doing this I had allowed her a choice and the problem was solved, without harsh discipline or emotional fall out.

Dogs that are allowed some control over their environment and how they respond to situations are more confident, more emotionally balanced, more resilient, better able to cope with stressful situations, less anxious, less stressed and generally have fewer behaviour problems.

Look for simple, safe ways to provide more choice for your dog.

Improve their wellbeing and quality of life in a world that seeks to dominate and control.

11/19/2025

10/13/2025

We have Basic Skills class spots available THIS Thursday, October 16 at 6:45 pm with .llc Good Pets! 💛

Sign up with your adolescent or adult dog at YourDogsFriend.org/Basic

We’ll encourage and help you every step of the way! 💙

10/03/2025

Jane Goodall talking about her favorite animal...

10/01/2025

😢

With great sadness, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed this morning the passing of the organization’s founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, age 91 who died peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles, CA for her speaking tour in the United States.

Dr. Goodall’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share. She inspired curiosity, hope and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others — particularly young people who gave her hope for the future.

In 1960 Dr. Goodall established the longest running wild chimpanzee study in Gombe National Park, Tanzania which continues to this day. She pioneered and sustained the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation initiatives across the chimpanzee range for over four decades. Her legacy includes the creation of JGI’s international environmental and humanitarian youth program Roots & Shoots, which is actively driving change in 75 countries and counting around the world.

The Jane Goodall Institute is incredibly grateful to all our supporters, partners, and friends, especially during this difficult time. To add a personal remembrance of Dr. Goodall and continue her legacy for future generations, please visit JaneGoodall.org/RememberingJane

💚

Photo credit: Marko Zlousic

09/22/2025

09/13/2025

Two dog experts are encouraging families considering a dog not to overlook pit bulls, despite the stigma that they are overly aggressive

08/20/2025

Voting is now open in the 2026 Best of Bethesda poll! 🗳️

Last year, this somehow wasn’t on our radar so we were surprised & thrilled to win Best Pet Trainer 2025! 🎉

We would love to win again this year, as being featured in Best of Bethesda can really help us get the word out about our ✨ dog training nonprofit ✨ and the free and low-cost services that we offer so that dog guardians can find us!

Please visit BestOf.BethesdaMagazine.com to vote for ✨ Your Dog’s Friend ✨ in the Shopping & Services — Pet Trainer Group/Category and help us win Best of Bethesda 2026! 💙

We are so grateful for your support! 💛

08/19/2025

08/08/2025

Do you have a fearful or cautious dog? Below are some useful facts and tips about fearful dogs. I'm also teaching an upcoming class at Your Dog's Friend beginning Sept. 8, From Cautious to Confident. I hope you'll join me (link in the first comment):

Show your fearful dog that the our crazy, human world is safe!
Thank you for this infographic!

https://m.facebook.com/yaletowndogtraining/photos/a.401992309923731/3969108796545380/?type=3