Since August is national dog month, we're headed to the puppy experts at Believe In Dog for some fun, and of course -- puppies!

Stephanie Bennett and our friends at Believe in Dog Training in The Heights have some fun ideas on how you and your pup can celebrate this special day.

If you got a new dog over the holidays, now is the time to start creating good habits and new year's resolutions with your pup.

August is National Dog Month

Stephanie Bennett from Believe in Dog Training shared tips on how to keep your dogs safe, hydrated, and ready to take on the Summer sun.

When you get a new puppy, there’s a few things you should keep in mind. Stephanie Bennett and her pooch Cash, from ‘Believe in Dog Training’ stopped by to get you ready to care for your new furry friend.

HOUSTON – National Puppy Day is a paw-some way for all dog parents to celebrate the unconditional love that puppies bring into this world. It’s also a day that helps to promote puppy adoptions. In honor of the holiday, we asked our friends at Believe in DOG Training in The Heights for some fun ideas on how to get involved with our pups for the special day. Watch as Lauren Kelly and ‘BID’ owner Stephanie Bennett have an Easter Egg Hunt with a few furry friends, that also helps with enrichment and nose work activity.

HOUSTON – If you’re thinking of adding a new puppy to your family, it’s important to consider what dog breed best fits your lifestyle. Each dog is different, but there are general and somewhat predictable personality traits associated with specific dog breeds,” said Bennett, the puppy expert who trained our beloved Tex. According to Bennett, is important that you ask yourself a series of important questions before bringing a new dog into your family unit. Are you physically able to provide the necessary exercise for a high energy dog? Talk to professional dog trainers who will be able to discuss the challenges of particular breeds,” she recommended.

HOUSTON – Over the last few months, our fur babies have been spoiled with their owners more than ever because of the pandemic. With everyone working from home, our dogs have gotten used to their parents being there with them 24/7. Stephanie Bennett, owner of Believe In Dog Training, is sharing her tips on why it’s so important for puppies to learn to be alone and settle in their crate. If puppies don’t learn and practice this skill, many of them develop separation anxiety which could lead to bigger issues down the road. Check out what Stephanie had to say about easing some of the common crate-training issues.

Since Tex is one of the smartest dogs we know, we wanted to test his knowledge by trying to teach him two new tricks. Stephanie Bennett, owner of Believe in Dog Training, (and Texs favorite person btw!) Another suggestion: break down trick training exercises into small steps. Dogs learn more quickly and with less confusion when exercises are broken down into small steps. Always end the training session with success and while your dog still wants more, and practice, repetition, and patience are key.

It’s a great reminder to prepare ourselves and our dogs for hurricane season. Just make sure that you have the basics, grab that bag and run with your dog,” she said. Keep that update now, because we never know,” said Bennett, who suggests not only keeping the vaccinations record on your phone, but also on your emergency case in case you lose power. So, it’s important because they’re going to go crazy and we’re going to have an emotional emergency going on that can also freak out our dogs. If they are very familiar and safe in a crate with a blankie that smells like home, it’s going to help them so much,' said Bennett.

HOUSTON – With more business opening across Texas, a major concern for dog parents is heading back to work and leaving their pups home alone again. “It’s really important to start leaving for small increments of time, even if it’s just for 15 minutes. “Don’t let your dog be velcro dog, meaning following you every single place that you go, whether it means, I’m going to go check the mail. But you do need to seek help from professionals to help you and to help your dog. If your looking for help to train your dog, Believe in Dog Training has a canine training and enrichment center in the Heights.

But puppy expert and owner of Believe in Dog Training, Stephanie Bennett, shares a simple solution to give your dog boundaries. “We are going to teach them how to stay on the place. ‘Place’ means place, until I tell you otherwise. “The picture of ‘place’ for the dog, is four feet on the bed. Set small goals as you slowly add distraction, distance and duration, and reward your dog with a tiny treat for success.