Mutts and Manners

Real questions. Thoughtful answers. Practical, compassionate dog-training advice for life at both ends of the leash.

KIND GUIDANCE, GROUNDED IN EXPERIENCE

Dog training advice without the judgment.

Dog training can feel confusing. One person says your dog needs firmer boundaries; another insists you should never say no. Social media offers a new “must-try” solution every week.

In Mutts & Manners, I answer the questions real dog people ask—from puppy biting and pulling on leash to reactivity, grooming and the challenges of simply living well together.

The aim is not to make you feel guilty about what you have or haven’t done. It is to help you understand what may be driving your dog’s behavior and give you a constructive place to begin.

July 29, 2026

How to save your landscaping from a digging dog

“Help! My dog keeps digging up my flower bed. I’ve replanted the same flowers three times already. How do I stop this?”

Oh yes, the canine gardening assistant… always a proud homeowner’s favorite. Not.

Read the column at The Mountain Times →

What would you like to know?

Wondering whether your puppy’s behavior is normal? Struggling with walks, barking, visitors or grooming? Send your question for possible inclusion in a future column. Submit your question.

Reading is a good beginning. Coaching makes it personal.

General advice cannot account for your dog’s history, environment or the life you want to share. Mountainside Mutts offers humane, practical coaching for puppies, everyday manners and more complex behavior concerns in Rutland, Vermont.