About us

WHO WE ARE

Your Dog’s Friend is a non-profit, 501-C3 organization established to deal with three issues:

1. When dog owners bring home their new dogs, they often have no idea what to do or where to turn with questions and concerns.
2. Dogs are often returned to shelters for problems that could have been prevented in the first place or that could still be remedied.
3. Dog owners need better education, so they don't put their dogs in jeopardy and contribute to behavior issues.

The goal of Your Dog’s Friend is to help keep dogs out of shelters by educating and supporting dog owners. We have also been involved in efforts to educate veterinarians, rescues and other dog professionals, since dog owners turn to them for advice. We promote positive methods of training and behavior modification because they are effective, build trust and, unlike harsher, compulsion methods, cannot cause pain, reactivity, or fear in dogs. We also encourage early socialization and training for puppies to reduce the chance of behavior issues later.

Your Dog’s Friend offers behavior and training advice; sponsors free workshops on a variety of topics; gives The Shelter & Rescue Dog Book, written for Your Dog’s Friend, directly to adopters and to shelters and rescues; refers dog owners to positive trainers, groomers, pet walkers and vacation care; runs positive dog training classes; sends an e-newsletter and maintains a website with announcements and information educating dog owners and professionals. Newsletter topics have included: anxiety in dogs; why the dominance theory is outdated; how to reduce barking; setting up your dog to succeed through management; warnings about dog parks; what to teach your newly adopted dog; and ways to prevent and correct resource guarding (when dogs guards toys, food and other “treasures”).

WHY IT MATTERS

There are still so many dog owners, trainers, veterinarians, and rescue/shelter staff who use or recommend outdated training and behavior methods that can actually cause behavior problems to develop. These dogs then end up back in shelters and are often euthanized. The damage could have been prevented if the public were more aware that alternatives exist to dominance-oriented, choke and yank methods of training. These same methods are used when behavior issues arise, even though many of these behaviors, such as reactivity or even aggression, are rooted in fear. Your Dog’s Friend’s educates the public about how dogs learn and what dogs need. We teach dog owners how to build trust and manners using only positive training methods. We are available to answer questions, give referrals, and calm fears. In all of these ways, we attempt to prevent and remedy behavior problems, help dogs become lifetime companions, and keep dogs out of shelters.