Recent Articles from Steven Applebaum
Training Cats: What You Need to Know
Can cats be trained? Anyone who has owned or been around cats knows they are intelligent and resourceful creatures. The reason some perceive cats as untrainable has to do with the way people visualize and define training. Training cats is less about teaching them to listen to cues and more about learning how to modify […]
Retailers Can Foster Loyal Customers with Training Tips for Older Dogs
I’m often asked, “Can you teach an old dog new tricks?” The short answer is “yes.” Retailers who understand about training older dogs and the typical behavioral challenges owners of older dogs face are in a much better position to offer advice and assistance. The more you can help your customers, the greater the likelihood […]
Retailers, Take Advantage of Dog Training Season
Dog training can be a seasonal business, often starting around mid-February due to dog owners enrolling puppies that joined their family during the winter holiday season. Pet retailers who understand this can respond by having the equipment dog trainers recommend—and owners will come looking for—at their stores. Retailers who are knowledgeable about the proper usage […]
Training with Treats
The use of treats to train dogs was once considered by dog trainers and owners alike to be tantamount to bribery. The concern was the dog would become dependent on getting the treat and when the owner didn’t have one to offer, the dog wouldn’t listen. As methods of training changed, so did ideas and […]
Feline Leashes and Harnesses
Over the past few years, more people have embraced the idea that cats can be trained. Therefore, more cat owners are likely to come looking in your store for leashes, collars and harnesses—equipment that was previously more commonly sought after by dog owners. Pet retailers who understand how this equipment is used are better positioned […]
Offering Tips to New Pet Owners can Help Your Reputation with Customers
As the New Year commences, shoppers will come to your store excited about their new puppy or kitten. With a new pet comes new responsibilities, and many owners find the list of things to do (and purchase) a bit daunting. Retailers who assist customers with relevant, easy-to-understand information and suggestions are doing these consumers a […]
The Next Challenge
I have seen the pet industry undergo titanic changes, and I see more on the horizon. Change can be scary—the unknown often is—but it is coming whether we like it or not, and with change also comes opportunity. Recessions will come and go. Market forces will, of course, impact all businesses, but during the 2008 […]
A Possible Reason for a Change in Pets’ Behavior
The transition from summer to fall might have led some of your customers to experience a change in their pets’ behaviors. During my time as a professional animal trainer, I often found that, starting in late August through September, I would get an increase in people contacting me with behavior problems with their dogs and […]
Pool Safety for Dogs
It behooves retailers and their staffs to have some basic answers to common behavioral challenges and learning tasks. Some of the answers/suggestions you give will be product oriented— chewing, house soiling and litter box solutions are good examples. Others might not involve products you sell, but if answered with care and accuracy, may enhance a […]
The Best Time to Train a Dog
Many owners are unsure as to when they should start training their dog. As a young puppy? An older puppy? An adult? The answer will depend on the type of training they have in mind. Training is “the action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behavior,” as defined by […]
Advice on Dog Aggression
Aggression in dogs is dangerous and should be completely unacceptable to their owners. When I say aggression, I am referring to dogs that growl, snap or snarl at, or bite people. One of the challenges in dealing with aggressive behavior is that there is not much leeway when treating it. If a customer’s dog was chewing on inappropriate items three or four times a week […]
Model Behavior
Some dogs are afraid of being bathed. This isn’t necessarily the fault of the groomer, as there are numerous reasons why a specific dog might not like being bathed. Bringing a dog’s fear to the attention of the owner and being able to offer viable solutions for them to assist in addressing these fears shows […]