Training with compassionate Knowledge

Phenix Dogs Canine Behavior Experts

Work with award-winning author and trainer Annie Phenix. She helps with all behavioral concerns and never uses force, fear, pain, or intimidation.

Category: Author Annie

  • 5 Reasons Your Dog Still Pulls When Walking on a Leash

    If your dog hasn’t mastered a relaxed walk at your side, you may have made one of these five mistakes. One of the most common reasons dog owners contact trainers is for help with walking their dogs on leash. Dogs pull for a variety of reasons — one being the fact that they have two more legs…

  • 5 Tips for Engaging Your Dog’™s Impressive Mind

    Does your smart dog get bored? Then keep him busy ‘” and out of trouble ‘” with fun activities such as nose work and simple play. Congratulations! You have a new furry friend in your home. Within a few days or weeks of your dog adjusting to his new life, you may start to notice that…

  • 5 Tips for Engaging Your Dog’s Impressive Mind

    Does your smart dog get bored? Then keep him busy — and out of trouble — with fun activities such as nose work and simple play. Congratulations! You have a new furry friend in your home. Within a few days or weeks of your dog adjusting to his new life, you may start to notice that…

  • How Can I Stop My Dog’™s Inappropriate Peeing?

    I recently received a question from a reader: My 16-month-old Standard Poodle, Ellie, has a problem. She is a certified therapy dog who has worked in nursing homes and also works with children in a reading program at a local library. With that said, Ellie piddles when my daughter (who happens to be a vet tech)…

  • How Can I Stop My Dog’s Inappropriate Peeing?

    I recently received a question from a reader: My 16-month-old Standard Poodle, Ellie, has a problem. She is a certified therapy dog who has worked in nursing homes and also works with children in a reading program at a local library. With that said, Ellie piddles when my daughter (who happens to be a vet tech)…

  • What Do Good Dentists and Good Trainers Have in Common?

     A good dentist makes me feel safe and keeps his word that he will not cause pain — and that’s exactly how a good trainer teaches a dog. Like many of you, I hate going to the dentist. I actually like my current dentist as a person, but I hate what his profession represents to…

  • There Is No Reason to Use a Shock Collar. In Fact, It Should Be Illegal

    The Pet Professional Guild posted an “open letter” denouncing shock collar use, and I could not agree more. There is no need or valid reason to shock, poke, hang, hit, or throw chains at your dog, or to spray water in his face or hurl him to the ground on his back (called an alpha roll).…

  • How to Ease Your New Rescue Dog Into Your Home and Life

    Stability, routine, and a calm environment will help your new family member settle in. My husband and I fostered more than 400 dogs in need from central Texas shelters over the course of a decade. They gave me a lifetime’s worth of canine education, teaching me about the health and emotional needs of homeless dogs. In fact,…

  • Meet the Dog Zombie, Dr. Jessica Hekman

    Dr. Hekman is studying the brains of dogs to help us better understand the genomics of canine behavior. Have you heard? A dog zombie exists! Don’t worry, I’m not talking about an undead canine who craves brains, but about scientist Dr. Jessica Hekman, who studies dog brains and goes by the nickname The Dog Zombie. She is one…