Caryl Wolff

Puppy Expert

Caryl Wolff has been living in Los Angeles for a long, long time - and remembers when the smog was so thick that you couldn't see across the street. Her first career was as a court reporter, but her first job as a dog trainer was training one of her dogs for the Los Angeles Opera with Placido Domingo. She got tired of not being able to walk and talk (which was difficult as a court reporter) and decided to become a dog trainer since everyone was asking her how to train their dogs - she was fortunate to start at the top.

She was the first dog trainer/behavior consultant concurrently certified by 5 dog trainer organizations - The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors, Association of Animal Behavior Professionals, and the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

She owns and operates the following websites:

dogbookslibrary.com
dogseminarsdirectory.com
dogtrainersdirectory.com
puppy-dog-potty-training.com
puppysocializationguide.com

Her writing career was born when she began writing articles for her website DoggieManners.com. She has written several books on dog and puppy training including the first book about Puppy Socialization written by a certified dog consultant. She has a wicked sense of humor and lives in Los Angeles with 2 dogs and a 42-year-old macaw, which she humorously refers to as her longest relationship.

Visit Caryl's website.

Articles by this Author

Training •

Health

Running With Your Dog

Soon winter will be gone, and you may think about taking your dog for a run. How can you do it safely for both of you? How do you prepare your dog for running? What's 's the best gear? While running with your dog, what are some things to be on the lookout for? Here's the "bare bones" to get you started safely.

Health

Why do dogs love peanut butter?

Pet Care

Puppy Socialization for Breeders

The single most important factor in choosing a puppy is choosing a breeder or rescue that has interacted with the puppies and begun the socialization process.

Pet Care

Traveling with Dogs

Pet Care

Create an Easter Scavenger Hunt for Your Dog

While kids are participating in Easter Egg hunts, we want our pups to have an activity, too. Here's a DIY version of putting together a scavenger hunt for a dog.

Pet Care •

Health

10 Signs Your Dog Is Stressed

Do you know when your dog is happy or sad? How about when he's scared or nervous? We should pay close attention to signs of stress in our dogs because those can lead to unwanted, or aggressive, behaviors. Dogs generally give more subtle signs before aggression becomes full blown. Sometimes we may see all of these signs, but sometimes not - or they progress so quickly that we miss them. Look for these 10 signs to see if your dog is stressed or anxious.

Pet Care •

Health

Am I giving my dog too many treats?

Training •

Pet Care

Leash Training Puppies: Part 1, Introducing the Collar or Harness

This is a 2-part article on leash training puppies. The first part is about the prep and getting him used to his collar or harness, and the second is about the mechanics of training.

Training

When Can You Start Training Your Puppy?

From potty training to obedience training, your puppy has a lot to learn. Get your puppy training started on the right paw with this guide to beginner training for puppies.

Training •

Pet Care

Leash Training Puppies: Part 2, Walking Your Puppy

This is part 2 of the series on leash training puppies. The first part was about the prep and getting him used to his collar or harness. Now we'll introduce your puppy to walking on the leash outside.

Pet Care

Your Puppy’s Age Matters

Puppies go through developmental stages just like children do. When your puppy is 6 months old, that's the equivalent of 12 years in a human life. Because of their rapid developmental periods, you can go to bed with one puppy and wake up the next morning with an entirely different puppy. What does your puppy learn how to do at each stage?

Training •

Health

Could Pulling on the Leash Hurt Your Dog?

Your dog pulls while walking on a leash, which can lead to gagging and coughing. Your response may be to jerk the leash to stop him, but there can be long-lasting effects on his health. Discover the safest way to walk and stop your dog's pulling.

Health

Are Some Dogs at Risk for Dental Issues?

A number of factors contribute to canine dental disease, including breed, size, age, and chewing habits. Does your dog meet the criteria on this list? Learn about the risk factors and how to prevent doggie dental issues.

Training

Pros and Cons of Paper Training for Puppies

All puppies have to pee and poop, and each owner/guardian needs to choose where their toilet area is going to be based on their lifestyle and circumstances. There are many toilet options, one of which is paper training along with its very close relative, pee pad training.

Training •

Health

Walking With Your Dog

February 22nd is Walking the Dog Day. Many people love taking their dogs on adventures near and far, but what are the chances you could be pushing your dog too hard?

Pet Care

Puppies for Christmas

Can you get a puppy for the holidays? Sure. But instead of having the puppy pop out of a pretty present, do it differently. First, remember that if you are getting a puppy for your kids, it is still your puppy. Even if you are getting it to teach your kids responsibility, the ultimate caretaker is you. So you have to want a puppy - and the time and expense that comes with it!

Training

How to Use an Indoor/Outdoor Potty for Toilet Training

Portable pet toilets are a convenient, portable alternative to traditional pee pads or newspaper training. They make it much easier to house train puppies and prevent accidents for dogs of any age.

Health

10 Safety Tips to Prevent Dog Bites

You may think you have the sweetest, best behaved dog in the world, but you cannot guarantee that your dog will never bite. Some dog bites happen when the dog is uncomfortable because someone is trying to take something away from him, make him do something he does not want to do, or making him feel afraid or threatened. Learn how to reduce the possibility that your dog will bite.

Pet Care

Unexpected Costs for New Puppy Parents

Are you thinking of becoming a new puppy parent? Everybody wants a puppy! Who can resist those soulful eyes and wagging tail? But before we get a dog, we need to know the costs so we can plan to give him the best home and care. Puppies ain't cheap!

Training •

Health

Running With Your Dog

Health

Why do dogs love peanut butter?

Pet Care

Puppy Socialization for Breeders

The single most important factor in choosing a puppy is choosing a breeder or rescue that has interacted with the puppies and begun the socialization process.

Pet Care