Pets - Shore Local Newsmagazine

Reactivity training basics to prevent your dog from going rogue on walks

by Heidi Clayton | Aug 6, 2026 | Features, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Editorial, Pets, South Jersey

There are many terms floated around in the dog training and behavior world that center around when a dog displays less-than-favorable behavior towards other dogs on a leash. Whether you label it as leash aggression, reactivity, or leash frustration is irrelevant,...

Why ‘friendly’ dogs might still lunge at other dogs

by Heidi Clayton | Jul 30, 2026 | Features, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Pets, South Jersey

While walking my dog, Kabuki, at the Nature Reserve, we came upon another owner walking their dog, which happens occasionally. Good dog etiquette in these situations is to shorten your leash and give each other space, since there is never a guarantee that two dogs...

How to get your dogs to consistently come when called

by Heidi Clayton | Jul 23, 2026 | South Jersey, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Editorial, Pets

Training your dog to come to you when called is perhaps the single most important thing they can learn. Of all of the things I attempt to teach my bull terriers, this skill takes precedence over everything else. Bull terriers are not necessarily known for being...

Step one of teaching dogs to come when called

by Heidi Clayton | Jul 16, 2026 | South Jersey, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Editorial, Pets

Of any obedience-related commands that I teach my dogs, the single most important one is a reliable recall. Teaching a puppy to come to you when called can absolutely save their lives should they escape or get away from you, so I train this more than I train anything...

Multi-dog household tips: What to do when your dog is less than thrilled about a new puppy

by Heidi Clayton | Jul 9, 2026 | South Jersey, Atlantic County, Cape May County, Editorial, Pets

I received a few emails regarding my article last week about managing a puppy in a multi-dog household. It makes me happy to see that people are reading the very valuable Shore Local, and I am happy to help dogs, so I thought I would expand on a few things regarding...

Cute card revoked: When other dogs no longer see your puppy as an innocent baby

by Heidi Clayton | Jul 2, 2026 | South Jersey, Atlantic County, Editorial, Pets

My puppy Bento Box has turned five months old, is in the throes of teething, and has lost his cute card with the other dogs in the house. Bringing a puppy into a multi-dog or one-dog household is going to require management. It is absolutely normal for the older dog...