Once you’ve found a sitter you and your dog get along with, you can move onto the next — most important — part: preparing your home and your dog for your time away.

Ah, spring. That wonderful time of year when the flowers begin blooming, the sun sets later than 7 p.m., the birds sing and…your dog sheds more than ever. Here are some tips and tricks from Dog Training Elite in Traverse City to prepare your pet for spring!

Ah, Valentine’s Day. A day totally dedicated to celebrating love. And what better love to celebrate than the unconditional love between you and your dog? Here are seven ways to let your pup know they are loved on this holiday.

If your dog is part of the family it can be tempting to let them have whatever they want on such a special occasion. However, there are lots of Thanksgiving foods that aren’t safe for dogs. In fact, vets see a lot of pets around the holidays due to dogs being fed unsafe foods. Here, we at Dog Training Elite of Northern Michigan break down what Thanksgiving foods are safe to share with your dog, what to avoid, and if you’re up for it, some special Thanksgiving treats you can whip up just for your furry best friend!

Halloween is the spookiest night of the year, but keeping your pets safe doesn't have to be tricky. Every Halloween, veterinarian clinics are bombarded with sick pups who have gotten into trouble on this spooky night. This year, skip the stress and keep your pets safe with these tips.

Fluffy and oh-so-cute, the Goldendoodle is an incredible dog that brings joy to the lives of many. An intentional cross between the Golden Retriever and Poodle, Goldendoodles exhibit the best traits of each breed. The friendly, outgoing, and devoted characteristics of the well-loved Golden Retriever meet the intelligence, exuberance, and low-shedding coat of the Poodle. While the Goldendoodle is a popular choice for families, his capabilities as a service dog are where this breed truly shines!

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is often stressful for dogs. Bright, flashing lights and colorful decorations fill the house, guests come and go (and the doorbell is constantly ringing), delicious smells of off-limits food fills the house, furniture is rearranged, and your dog's routine is interrupted. Holiday parties are the most stress-inducing, and dangerous, events of the holiday season for pets and it's important to prepare your dog if you are the host this year.

Sending your dog away to a training facility and never interacting with the trainer or your pet during the process is not a good approach. Many pet owners that choose this option often find that their dog regresses to problematic behaviors once they return. Group classes, on the other hand, are a distracting environment for a puppy or a dog new to training. Without the basics of in-home training, obedience is hard to learn. Whether you are looking for dog trainers in Traverse City for a new puppy or an older dog, in-home training offers the following benefits:

Just like people visit their doctor for frequent check-ups, so must dogs be evaluated by their veterinarian once in a while. Vets can ensure your dog remains healthy by checking weight, running routine exams and giving the appropriate shots and vaccines. Our four-legged companions can fall ill sometimes and you can always trust your vet to help you diagnose and treat your dog if this happens. While most dog illnesses are not urgent, health emergencies can occur. We have compiled a list of the most common emergencies that dog owners come across. Many of these emergencies can be fatal, so it is important to have an emergency vet contact on hand.