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Hi, I'm Claude Roberts, editor and founder of Dog Learner,

Every dog owner wants to make the best choices for the welfare of their beloved companion. But how do we know that the advice we find is impartial and not commercially motivated? Can we trust recommendations from people who are sponsored by, or affiliated with the pet industry?

This magazine was born out of a lifelong passion and love for dogs. After working in behavioral science and consumer psychology, I dedicated myself in mid-career to professional dog training by becoming a police K9 detection instructor (narcotics and explosives), and certifying in canine behavior rehabilitation and nutrition.

Dog Learner is focused on quality educational content and practical advice on the topics of nutrition, behavior, training, and breeds. Our articles are edited exclusively by canine professionals, and the magazine is free of advertising or commercial sponsorship.

We hope that you enjoy Dog Learner and share it with your friends. Subscribe to our Training Tips Newsletter to receive practical advice right in your inbox.
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Dog Nutrition is both Nurturing and Science

what dog learner is about

Nutrition
Training
Breeds
Disclaimer
The single most important decision dog owners make each day regarding their pet’s health is what they choose to feed. An estimated 50 million dogs are overweight in North America, and 80 percent of pet owners are not aware of their dog's weight problem.

We provide more than 10,000 meals in the lifetime of our dog, but many people admit to being unsure of what they should be feeding. The struggle has to do with the overwhelming choice of commercial food available and the aggressive marketing of the pet food industry. It is also difficult to determine the quality or nutritional value of pet food from looking at the labels. It’s no wonder that many dog owners throw up their hands in confusion and turn to their vet, their dog trainer, or their neighbor for advice.

Nutrition is both nurturing and science. While there is no single answer to the question “What should I feed to my dog?”, evidence from nutritional science can guide us. We have a duty to care for our pets by educating ourselves and use our critical thinking skills. At Dog Learner we are committed to helping dog owners make the best-informed choices for feeding their pets. We provide professional advice, online courses, and resources on canine nutrition.
Most of us don’t want their dog to perform tricks at obedience shows. We just want our companions to be happy, balanced, and sociable. Well-behaved will do just fine. Most dog behavior problems are learned rather than genetic, which means that they can be addressed with proper training and patience.

No one should have to relinquish a dog because of the inability to deal with a problematic behavior. Many unwanted behaviors are either due to a lack of leadership or to unrealistic expectations from owners. As a trainer, I know that each dog is different —albeit of the same breed, age, and origin— and that there isn't only one way of doing things. Effective training depends on the quality of the relationship between dog and owner, and on the ability to adapt to the situation at hand. A good place to start is to acquire a basic understanding of dog psychology, and to learn to understand what motivates a dog to act in a certain way.

Dog Learner is highly focused on education. We are committed to helping dog owners understand and deal with undesirable behaviors and training issues.
Having worked in shelters as a dog behaviorist, I have witnessed that many dogs are relinquished by their owners a few months after adoption. New owners often lack sufficient understanding of breed characteristics and need help to learn to choose a compatible companion based on their level of experience with dogs, on their expectations, and on their living context. Getting a puppy or a dog on impulse is rarely a good idea.

A dog shares your life for over a decade, and we should not make adoption decisions based solely on emotions, generic breed trivia, or esthetic criteria. Shelters do not always have the resources to best match each dog with compatible potential owners. When adopting a dog, the breed, age, history, emotional state, and temperament also have to be taken into consideration.

In the "Breeds" section we explore the most popular breeds and offer practical advice for training, care and adoption. We also publish articles in "Stories" that provide professional guidance to help dog owners make the best possible adoption choices.
  • If you’re searching for brands of pet food, the latest puppy naming trends, or cute squeaky toys, this isn't the website for you. We don't sell dog products and we don't partner with the pet food industry. Instead, we focus on education.
  • If a dog training product is mentioned or recommended on this website, it means that we have firsthand experience of using it, and that it has been tested and approved. You can optionally purchase it on Amazon as we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
  • We don’t give medical advice on this website. Medical matters are best entrusted to your local veterinarian.
  • We generally do not mention breeders or trainers unless we've had a positive personal experience with their services. Any specific mention of a canine professional is strictly a personal opinion, and is not commercially motivated.

Our editorial team

We research, write and edit our articles independently

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Tania Lefort

Psychologist - Dog Trainer - Staff Writer
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Claude Roberts

Dog Behaviorist & Trainer - Canine Nutritionist - Police K9 Detection Instructor