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The 178 Flavors of AKC Breeds. Who Will Fit Into Your Family?

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AKC-Breeds

What Will Fit Into Your Family? One of the 178 Flavors of AKC or A Mixed Floofin?

Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago and have been man’s companion for just as long. Over the centuries, dogs have been bred to serve different purposes. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 178 different breeds in seven groupings: Toy; Hound; Sporting; Non-sporting; Working; Herding; and Terrier. Floofins & Co. dog walkers, pet sitters, and dog trainers work with all sorts of purebreds and mixes and each has special considerations when considering adding them to your family. What characteristics are ideal for your household? [Read more…] about The 178 Flavors of AKC Breeds. Who Will Fit Into Your Family?

What is Positive Reinforcement Training?

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PositiveReinforcement

Not All Dog Training Methods Are The Same. What Is Positive Reinforcement Training?

There are many different dog trainers and training schools located in the Chicago Suburbs. Throughout Elmhurst, Oak Park, La Grange, Wheaton, Bloomingdale, and Woodridge, you will find trainers with different expertise (i.e. positive reinforcement, adverse, etc.) as well as trainers and behaviorists that handle behavior issues other than obedience training. Depending on the issue at hand and the method you are most comfortable with, there are many options when it comes to “training”. At Floofins & Co. our in-house expertise is with Positive Reinforcement Obedience Training, but what does that mean and what will you experience with this method? [Read more…] about What is Positive Reinforcement Training?

Dog Trainers Vs. Dog Behaviorists: What’s the Difference?

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Why Your Dog Trainer Might Need To Send You To a Behaviorist.

Dog Training and EducationIf you have a dog, then no doubt you’ve heard of dog trainers. You may also have heard of Dog or Animal Behaviorists, and wonder what the fundamental difference is between them. 

In the broadest sense, the main difference between the two are approach, education and methods; Dog Behaviorists follow a psychological methodology called behaviorism, where measureable, observable behaviors are privileged over more subjective, emotional states. Dog Behaviorists tend to work one-on-one with pets and their parents to address very specific behavior issues. [Read more…] about Dog Trainers Vs. Dog Behaviorists: What’s the Difference?