Fetch Success

02/16/2026

The introduction of a new puppy into a household does not guarantee immediate acceptance by an existing dog.

It is important to remember that the decision to bring a new puppy home was made by you, not by your current dog. Therefore, it is not the responsibility of your existing dog to train or entertain the puppy.

Are you considering bringing home a puppy to your adult dog? 🐶

When looking for a puppy, consider your current dog's age, health, and personality BEFORE choosing a puppy. Look for one that would "mesh" well with your dog. If your dog is older and/or their health is declining, it may be best to wait.

Once the puppy gets to come home, maintain your dog's routine as best as possible while creating a new routine for the puppy.

Be sure to implement management, breaks, and separation. It is not your dog's job to train and constantly entertain your puppy!

Provide times for separate play, exercise, and training, especially while working on socialization.

Not all dogs will take to puppies right away or at all. Address this sooner rather than later to prevent long-term behavioral consequences for your puppy.

02/15/2026

It’s easy to focus on teaching cues like “sit” or “down,” but one of the most powerful things you can teach your dog is how to be calm.

This is especially helpful for high-energy or herding-type dogs who struggle to “turn off.”

As a mom of 3 pit bulls, we focus on this a lot!

01/29/2026

Aggressive behavior does not equal dominance.

Aggression is a behavior that can occur in response to stress, fear, a perceived threat, or something unpleasant for the learner.

Just because your pet responds aggressively in a situation doesn't mean that they are "dominant" or that they're dominating you or another animal.

There are many different reasons we can see aggressive behavior, such as:
▪ Fear-based aggression
▪ Territorial aggression
▪ Possessive aggression
▪ Redirected aggression
▪ Conflict-related aggression

Talking about what dominance is or isn't is a complicated topic for another day😉
HOWEVER, we need to realize that just because our pets do something undesirable, it doesn't mean they're trying to dominate us.

05/30/2025

We are a group of Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, and Doctorate level Animal Behaviorists dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through an understanding of animal behavior. Join us and discover how insight into animal behavior can strengthen the human animal bond and enhance....

05/13/2024

It's a common misconception that dogs behave in ways to intentionally express anger or seek revenge. Their behavior is typically a response to fear, anxiety, or frustration, rather than human-like emotions such as spite or revenge. Understanding this can help us better address the root causes of their behavior and provide appropriate support and training.
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The Ten Myths of Canine Behavior
Myth #4: My dog is angry at me and just being spiteful.
Dogs do not possess the same level of critical thinking skills as humans. Dogs think in the moment, not about long-term consequence. Behaviors that we might interpret as anger or spite are often motivated by anxiety, frustration, and fear instead.

04/18/2024

Socializing your puppy before they reach 15-16 weeks old is crucial for their development. Learn the best ways to socialize your puppy, to ensure they grow up to be a well-adjusted and confident adult dog.

Socialization isn't about how many dogs or people your puppy can meet in a trip out, or how many new locations you can take your puppy to in a week. Socialization is about how your dog is feeling while experiencing these things. If your puppy is cowering behind you and you force them to go say hi, this is NOT socialization.

Learning dog body language will really help you and your puppy communicate better!

Ten myths about canine behavior!
Myth 1: Puppies should not leave the house until fully vaccinated.
The critical socialization period for puppies occurs from about 3 weeks to 14 weeks of age, a time when they learn what is safe or not safe in their environment. They are also learning "doggie" social skills and what it means to live in the human world. Vaccinations are administered every 3-4 weeks apart until at least 15-16 weeks of age, which marks the end of this critical timeframe. If you wait until your puppy has received all vaccinations before exposing them to the world, your puppy may become more fearful as an adult and lack the necessary coping skills to live in the human world.

04/18/2024

Dealing with puppy biting can be frustrating, but you're not alone! Learn how to use positive reinforcement techniques to help curb this behavior and create a happier, well-behaved pup.

03/06/2024

Are you struggling to balance your busy schedule with providing your dog the exercise and training they need?

Introducing the Daycare & Training package to Bark Avenue Pdx , the perfect package for busy pet parents looking to fulfill their dog's social and learning needs. Let us help you give your furry friend a healthy outlet for burning off energy while also learning some new skills.

Whether you're a working adult, part of a busy family, or just dedicated to giving your dog the best life possible, let us take care of their playtime and training needs.

Contact Fetch Success today to learn more!🐾
www.Fetchsuccessk9.com

11/13/2023

Check us out on Instagram!!🐶

11/03/2023

Check out the new blog post by Fetch Success on Preventing Behavior Problems in Dogs! https://www.fetchsuccessk9.com/blog

Preventing Behavior Problems in Dogs through Positive Reinforcement