Sarah Hodgson

Sarah Hodgson is a dog trainer, pet behavior expert, influencer, and the author of over a dozen best-selling books, including Puppies for Dummies, 4th Edition, and Dog Tricks and Agility for Dummies, 2nd edition. With over 40 years of professional experience, her compassionate, force-free philosophy has empowered pets and their people worldwide.

Articles & Books From Sarah Hodgson

Cheat Sheet / Updated 09-16-2024
If your dog suffers from anxiety, you’re not alone. Many factors contribute to your dog’s distress. For decades, dog anxiety was attributed to isolation distress, AKA separation anxiety, while reactions to people, dogs, noises, and other stimuli were dismissed as mere character flaws. Now, canine anxiety is studied, diagnosed, and treated compassionately to address a range of behaviors once considered maladaptive, such as destructiveness, leash reactivity, accidents, excessive barking, and aggression.
Dog Anxiety For Dummies
Find out whether your dog or puppy has anxiety, and learn what you can do to helpDog anxiety is common among all breeds, but different dogs can show different symptoms. Dog Anxiety For Dummies is for the millions of dog parents (and dog-parents-to-be) who want to help improve their pets' quality of life and relieve their suffering.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Does your dog communicate? Yes! Here’s an overview of your dog’s body talk: Consider how learning how to listen to your puppy will improve your relationship. Puppies are like kids — they are much more eager to listen to you if you learn to listen to their side of the story, too.A great influencer who shaped modern dog thinking long before it became scientifically cool to do so was Nicholas Dodman, DVM.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Puppies love to play and, like children, can learn most of their life lessons by playing games and having fun. Think back to your childhood: What are some of your fondest memories? Most everyone learns their most important life lessons — like how to share, use patience, and speak respectfully — in preschool or by playing sports and games with friends and family.
Article / Updated 09-09-2019
Some people still think that dogs don't think or experience emotions. Although it's true that dogs don't have the intellectual capacity of some other mammals like dolphins, they have other strengths and intelligence that we have yet to discover.Dog cognition has become a global obsession. In the past decade alone, a scientist has figured out ways to monitor dogs’ brain activity, decode their DNA, and do comparative analysis with human and other mammalian brains.
Article / Updated 09-02-2019
Are you a tech-head? Don’t let adopting a puppy slow you down. Check out the options described in this article for products that can make your life and your puppy's life safer, organized, and more fun. Never attach anything to your puppy that delivers a shock, spray, or vibrating sensation. Marketed as training tools, these items are inhumane and have lasting effects on your puppy’s otherwise trusting and cheerful demeanor.
Puppies For Dummies
Everything you need to bring home a new puppy  Across America and beyond, tails are wagging with anticipation. Why? Because puppies and the people who love them are eager for the update of Puppies for Dummies.   Originally released and welcomed as a positive, loving alternative to the alpha dog philosophy of a popular celebrity trainer, Puppies for Dummies is now updated and more relevant than ever.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-09-2022
Owning a puppy is definitely fun, but it’s also a huge responsibility. You’re caring for a new four-legged member of the family. You need to keep your puppy safe and healthy, instill good manners with puppy house training and habits, and teach basic puppy commands so that other folks enjoy your puppy as much as you do.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-27-2022
Recognizing why and how your dog behaves can help you to take on the role as pack leader to give your dog the cues, guidance, and consistency she needs to shape and develop good behaviors.Understanding your dog's body language and the proper methods of discipline, along with using basic, yet helpful, commands will go a long way in developing your pooch into a well-behaved companion.
Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016
Ready for some quick tips on teaching your dog some groovy moves? Not only can all dogs learn clever trick sequences and active sporting adventures — they love getting involved! The time you spend positively teaching them maneuvers like “Paw” and “Jump over,” plus the smiles and cheerful attention your dog receives, help to inspire his confidence, good cheer, and polite manners.