Mindy Waite, PhD, MS, CAAB
PhD, MS, CAAB
Board-Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist
Carroll University
Dr. Mindy Waite is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Animal Behavior program at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI and instructor at Virginia Tech in the Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare program, where she is also on several graduate student committees. She is a board-Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB).
Articles by Mindy Waite, PhD, MS, CAAB
Much Ado About Mouthing, Part 3: Training and Managing Mouthing Behavior in Dogs
March 30, 2026Use the Environment to Set Your Dog Up For Success This blog about strategies for managing mouthing in dogs is the final in a 3-part series. If you missed them, you can read Part I and Part 2. Most interventions aim to limit your dog’s mouthing while also reinforcing behaviors you like. Many people struggle [ ]
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Much Ado About Mouthing, Part 2: Meeting Your Dog’s Mouthing Needs
March 30, 2026Strategies to Reduce Mouthing I’m excited to tell you that you have many strategies available to help reduce mouthing in your pup. Chances are that you’ll need a combination of strategies in order to make a dent in this natural, and therefore very common, behavior. 🐕 Key takeaway: Even though mouthing is normal for dogs, [ ]
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Much Ado About Mouthing, Part 1: What Is Mouthing in Dogs and Why Does It Happen?
March 23, 2026What is Mouthing in Dogs? Whether you have a puppy, a young dog, or an adult dog, you have likely experienced mouthing. Mouthing is when a dog places their teeth on human skin or clothing. Although it can look similar to biting, it is generally considered a different behavior. Mouthing is extremely common in dogs [ ]
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Bringing Home a Brand New Baby Puppy
March 4, 2026Bringing home a puppy can be exciting and scary It pays off to be prepared before you bring your new puppy home for the first time Bringing home an 8-week-old puppy is equal parts magical and overwhelming. If youre feeling excited and a little terrified, you’re completely normal. One way to help quell the terror [ ]
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Finding a Good Veterinarian for Your New Puppy
February 19, 2026Bringing home a new puppy is so exciting. We know this firsthand—we bring our new girl home in just a few weeks, and we are overjoyed and so excited to meet her. Like many future puppy parents, we’ve been busy researching supplies, prepping the house, and imagining life with a puppy underfoot when we realized [ ]
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New Puppy, New Training Routine | Puppy Training Tips from Puppies.com
January 16, 2026Learn why establishing a puppy training routine early matters. Tips for potty training, obedience, and building positive habits from day one.
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Dog Potty Pads: When They Help, When They Hurt, and What Pet Owners Should Know
December 30, 2025Doggy Potty Pads: Sometimes Useful and Sometimes Harmful Many pet stores sell doggy potty pads, and these pads are marketed as useful tools for either potty training your puppy or allowing your dog to bathroom inside your home when needed. Although potty pads can be useful in some situations, they can also backfire really badly [ ]
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Holiday Dog Safety Tips: How to Prepare Your Dog and Family for a Happy Season
December 26, 2025As the holidays wind down and we head toward the New Year, many of us are still enjoying time with food, friends, family, and celebrations. While this season can be joyful, we also recognize that it isn’t always easy—for people or for pets. Many cats may retreat and hide from the hustle and bustle, but [ ]
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Dogs and Halloween: A Potentially Scary Combination
October 31, 2025Halloween is one of the most exciting times of year — the candy, costumes, and parties bring out everyone’s playful side. But while we enjoy the spooky fun, our dogs might see things a little differently. Flashing lights, doorbells ringing nonstop, and people dressed as monsters can all be pretty unsettling for pups. Whether you [ ]
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Great Relationships Require Great Communication: How to Communicate with Your Dog Verbally and Non-Verbally
October 30, 2025We all want strong, happy relationships with our dogs — and understanding how to communicate with your dog is the key. Just like people, dogs express their needs and emotions through verbal and nonverbal cues. But how can you tell what your dog is trying to say? How do you know when they’re content, anxious, [ ]
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Bringing Home a Puppy to a Household With Children or Adult Family Members
August 28, 2025Bringing Home a new puppy to a household is one of the most rewarding experiences for a family.
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Puppy Behavioral Development Stages
June 17, 2025Puppy socialization is crucial for developing well-adjusted adult dogs, beginning before they leave breeders and continuing in new homes.
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