The Dog Gurus
Call (732) 997-6537

Articles

  1. Creating a Policy for Introducing New Scents or Cleaners in the Play SpaceA new disinfectant, floor cleaner, odour neutraliser or fragranced enrichment item can change the environment in ways that are difficult to predict. Dogs may…
  2. How to manage a dog that steals and hoards toys from othersToy stealing can look harmless when a dog races off with a ball, collects three squeakers and guards them in a corner. In an off-leash playgroup, however,…
  3. Helping Dogs Choose a Calm Time-Out SpaceA well-designed time-out zone can give a busy dog daycare group a safe place to pause before excitement becomes conflict. The aim is not to isolate a dog as…
  4. Why Offering Different Surface Textures Can Reduce Monotony in Play AreasA well-designed dog play area does more than provide enough room to run. Its layout, sounds, smells and footing all influence how dogs move, explore and…
  5. Developing a safe protocol for excessive mouthing during playMouthing is a normal part of canine communication, especially among young dogs, energetic adolescents and dogs still learning how to regulate excitement. In an…
  6. How to Conduct a Weekly Playgroup Energy AuditA lively dog playgroup can look successful from the outside while quietly becoming too intense for some dogs. Barking rises, chase games become harder to…
  7. Staff positioning for maximum playgroup visibilitySafe off-leash play depends on what staff can see, how quickly they can interpret it and whether they can reach a dog before excitement becomes conflict. In a…
  8. Spotting Escalation Before Redirected Aggression SpreadsA calm dog group can change quickly when excitement, frustration or fear builds around one individual. Redirected aggression occurs when a dog cannot reach the…
  9. How to Use a Timer System to Structure Play IntervalsA timer system gives dog daycare teams a consistent rhythm for off-leash play, rest, observation and changeovers. Instead of relying on a busy staff member’s…
  10. Teaching dogs to come when called through group noiseA reliable recall is one of the most valuable safety skills in a dog daycare or off-leash playgroup. It allows handlers to interrupt a chase, move dogs away…