After Mystic spent some socialization time at my canine center with other dogs, it was time to introduce to more people.

Maremmas are an independent breed of dog. They hail from the Maremmano and Abruzzo regions of Italy with their expansive farmlands and open spaces. They are independent out of necessity. They have a job to do and nobody else will be around to help them.

Pretty straightforward.

But, Mystic, is far away from that life. We live in the lower Fairfield County region of...

It's time to begin indulging in Pumpkin Spice and decorate for fall!

Did you know that pureed pumpkin offers loads of benefits to your dog's health? They can easily get in on the fall fun with some fun treats! But first, let me explain why pumpkin is so good for your four-legged friend. 

First of all, this winter squash is a nutrient-rich food that is low in calories but absolutely packed with essential vitamins and minerals. In addition to its high levels of vitamin A, pumpkin...

When it comes to training a Maremma to work on the farm, it will all be about balance.

Maremmas are naturally intelligent and independent. Their instincts to be guardians of livestock come from generations and generations of breeding. They are used to working independently and with very little human interaction.

They are lone sentinels on the hill.

Batman in a white fur jacket.

Which is all well and good when you are guarding sheep in the vast farmlands of the Maremmano and Abruzzo regions of...

Did you know that dog bites are considered one of the biggest health hazards to children under the age of 12?

It is estimated that there is a child bitten by a dog every 40 seconds in the United States. That’s 5 kids every four minutes.

And while many bites do occur by dogs that are unknown to the child – random attacks or careless interactions - most often it is the family dog or a friend’s dog that is responsible for these incidents.

So while there is a lot we can do to...

I took our new puppy Mystic to my Canine Center for a little social interaction with other dogs. It was also a good, neutral place to re-introduce Mystic to Eloise, my Doberman rescue.

Mystic had a ball meeting other puppies of his own age. His rapidly increasing size is getting quite apparent. He dwarfs a lot of other dogs his same age!

Puppy playtime is a great opportunity for Mystic to play with other dogs and learn about his mouth. Nips and little bites are part of play. Learning to...

Maremmas are an independent breed. They were bred to roam the vast farmlands and open spaces of the Maremmano and Abruzzo regions of Italy, very rarely seeing a stranger who may try to interact.

I don’t live there. I live in the lower Fairfield County region of Connecticut. The largest open spaces are golf courses and public parks. We have neighbors. We have a community nearby.

I have to teach Mystic to socialize with people and other animals.

And socialization starts at home.

Besides...

Does Playing Tug Cause Aggression in Dogs?

You’re out with Duke at the local dog park when you started gathering your things to go. As you pick up Duke’s car blankie, he darts in to grab it away. You pull. He pulls. You pull, he pulls…and then SNAP! He has it and dances around you with his blankie in his mouth.

Fun times.

Until the Beagle’s mom tells you that you shouldn’t play that tug-of-war game with your dog because it encourages aggression.

Is Duke getting...

This is an exciting time for the Canine Master family!

From the annoyance and frustration of the predator invasion that has bedeviled my farm this past year has come the solution in the form of a cute Maremma puppy. A puppy bred for generations to do exactly what I need.

Tests to Predict Puppy Temperament and Personality

Be a protector. A guardian.

When the Maremma breeder offered me the pick of the litter, I could not have been happier. The opportunity to test and choose the puppy that we...

As many of you know I have a small farm in Connecticut. It’s not a working farm, but more of a hobby farm where I raise migratory waterfowl, chickens, domestic geese, and crowned cranes.

We also recently added a couple of horses as well. So it’s a good size spread with a lot going on. I love animals and this has been a passion project for a long time.

Predators on the Farm

Over the last year – like so many other people - I have unfortunately seen a marked increase of issues...

Ask any dog trainer or professional animal behaviorist and they’ll tell you they have at least one story that still makes their blood boil.

This is one of mine. All names have been changed to protect the “innocent”.

It never fails to astonish me when I am called into a lesson and the owners are considering getting rid of a dog because of a behavior that they (or someone they hired) inevitably caused.

I had a lesson with a woman that had previously been a client with a...