Pet Food Survey

Subscribe to petMD Blogs

Never miss a single post!

Fully Vetted
The Daily Vet
Nutrition Nuggets
Purely Puppy
Healthy Assurance
Common Searches: Ask a Vet | Symptom Checker | Puppy Names
Home » Blogs


Purely Puppy is the perfect blog for puppy parents. It is written by Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board certified veterinary behaviorist in southeastern Florida, who has a great love of dogs, and a special fondness for Rottweilers.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC


From Puppy Mill to Pet Store

The patient that inspired this blog is a cute teacup Yorkie named Samantha with a host of health and behavioral problems. Working with her is heartbreaking because she is suffering physically and behaviorally. Everything about her pulls you to save her and help her. I explain to her owner that a big... READ MORE

Oct 31, 2012 / (1) comments

How Do You Train Your Dog When Times Are Tough?

I’ve spent a lot of time here emphasizing the importance of teaching your dog the proper skills in order to be a good pet. Regular readers know that I think that going to class is best for most pups. There is nothing like an educated coach to help you guide your puppy. When you can, get to class! However,... READ MORE

Oct 24, 2012 / (5) comments

If You Didn't Teach It, Don't Correct It

As I was running in my neighborhood today, I witnessed a disturbing interaction between an owner and her dog; it really irritated me. Let’s see if you feel the same way.   READ MORE

Oct 17, 2012 / (5) comments

Well Timed Rewards Matter for Puppies in Training

The other day, I was sitting at an outdoor café eating breakfast with my family, including Maverick, my puppy. Maverick barks when he is excited, when he is stressed, or when he has something to say. We are working on it. So, when someone walked by that he was interested in, of course he barked... READ MORE

Oct 10, 2012 / (3) comments

When Your Puppy Goes from Friendly to Reactive

Maverick, my 10-month-old Labrador Retriever puppy attends multiple classes a week and also participates in a puppy play group. It is fun for me to watch the puppies develop. There are two puppies, including my own, who are at risk for developing a behavior called leash reactivity. Leash reactivity... READ MORE

Oct 03, 2012 / (2) comments

Who the Heck is Premack?

Maverick, my puppy, went to the beach with me not too long ago. While there, he learned that I didn’t exist and that he shouldn’t pay attention to me. How in the world did he learn that? Let me tell you a story… My friend Mindy, her Border Collie Zander, Maverick, and I went to... READ MORE

Sep 26, 2012 / (2) comments

Fear vs. Respect

The other day, I saw Sam, a German Shorthaired Pointer, who has Separation Anxiety. When the male owner comes home each day, he yells at Sam for the destruction that he has caused in the owner’s absence. I spent some time explaining that this just makes Sam afraid of him, which is very unproductive. Generally,... READ MORE

Sep 19, 2012 / (2) comments

Dogs Will Bark at You. Deal with It.

When I first adopted Maverick, my Labrador Retriever puppy, I started to bring him to work with me for lots of reasons. One of those reasons was so that he could learn certain valuable lessons:   Dogs will bark at you. You can stay safe.   These lessons are extremely... READ MORE

Sep 12, 2012 / (13) comments

My Worst Nightmare...

The other day, I was walking down my street to go out for a run when a large, intact male Rottweiler ran out toward me. He didn’t have friendly body posture. I did what I have always taught children to do — stood still like a statue. He muzzle punched me a couple of times and jumped on me.... READ MORE

Sep 05, 2012 / (5) comments

Juvenile Cataracts

Not that long ago, my cousin called me to tell me that his young American Bulldog had been diagnosed with cataracts. It is always especially upsetting when a young animal gets ill, because it is unexpected. Who expects their puppy to get cataracts? This week, we explore the causes, presentation and possible... READ MORE

Aug 29, 2012 / (4) comments

ABOUT PURELY PUPPY

LISA RADOSTA, DVM, DACVB

Photo of Lisa Radosta

…is a board certified veterinary behaviorist. Haven’t ever heard of one? You’re in good company, because many people don’t know they exist. After all, there are only 54 of them. After veterinary school at the University of Florida and some time in primary care practice, Dr. Radosta completed a 3-year residency in behavioral medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She treats dogs, cats and birds with serious behavior problems, like aggression, separation anxiety, elimination outside of the litter box, and storm phobia. But please don’t ask her if dogs lie on a couch and bark at her!

She spends her off time writing textbook chapters and articles for veterinarians and clients, as well as lecturing nationally and internationally. Oh, yeah - she is also an overscheduled, stressed, tired, working mom. If you are itching to know lots more about her, go to her website at www.flvetbehavior.com, and join her weekly for your puppy fix.

  • Lifetime Credits:
  • Today's Credits:
Hurry Before All Seats are Taken!
Enroll
Be an A++ Pet Parent! Take fun & free courses to earn badges & certifications. Choose a course»
Subscribe to Purely Puppy

POLL

Has your puppy ever seen a professional dog trainer?

Yes
27% (193 votes)
No
73% (519 votes)
Total votes: 712
CUTEST PUPPY GALLERY
1.
Bella
8572
  
Evan
9158
2.
Coco
8473
  
Wrigley
8145
3.
Anna
8210
  
Chad
6510
4.
Bailey
6909
  
Buddy
5740
5.
Pepsi
6762
  
Bentley
4744
See AllSee All

Looking for a new friend?

Powered by
Petfinder

Subscribe to petMD Blogs

Never miss a single post!

Fully Vetted
The Daily Vet
Nutrition Nuggets
 Purely Puppy
Healthy Assurance
 
MORE FROM PETMD.COM
©1999-2013 petMD, LLC. All Rights Reserved