Dear Inquisitive Dog Parents,

Happy new year, and welcome to 2012! Poncho and I want to thank you for being a part of our Dear Inquisitive Canine family throughout the past year. We appreciate your support, emails, comments and of course your questions - your behavior is quite reinforcing to us!

As a certified professional dog trainer I am aware dog adoption rates increase during the holidays. So, Poncho and I thought it'd be the perfect opportunity to revisit some of our favorite columns, covering topics that might be extra helpful to you. And, since January is also the official National Train Your Dog Month, this information should also help you and your canine companion start out on the right paw.

Dog Training Tips to Help Your Dog be a Star in 2012

• Counter-Surfing: A popular canine sport, especially during those times when humans are distracted! (Guilty!) Remember to set your dog up for success by managing their environment, such as keeping counters cleared and baby gates to protect areas when you can't.

• Loose Leash Walking: Is one of your resolutions to spend more time with your dog? Or is it to get or stay in shape? Talking your dog for a walk can help accomplish both! These dog training tips should help make fun and easier for you both.

• House-Training: I say, you can thank an animal enough when he or she goes outside to go to the bathroom - especially at night, in the cold rain or snow. Here are some quick tips for teaching or refining those house-training skills.

• Greeting People Politely: Having company over? Teaching your dog to greet people politely. It's the perfect way to show off your new dog while instilling good manners!

In case you’re new to our column, check out our Dear Inquisitive Canine about page. And for additional insight into dog training and behavior, please check out our dog training tips blog.

On behalf of Poncho, myself and the Inquisitive Canine, we wish all of you a positively reinforcing new year. May 2012 be an empowering for you and your canine companions, with many positive associations!
_______

Dear Inquisitive Canine is written by Joan Mayer and her trusty sidekick Poncho. Joan is a certified professional dog trainer and human-canine relationship coach. Poncho is a ten-pound mutt that knows a lot about human and canine behavior. Their column is known for its simple common sense approach to dog training and behavior, as well as its entertaining insight into implementing proven techniques that reward both owner and dog.

Joan is also the founder of the Inquisitive Canine and developer of the Out of the Box Dog Training Game , where her love-of-dog training approach highlights the importance of understanding canine behavior. If you or your dog have questions about behavior, training or life with each other, please email them directly.