A puppy can bring endless joy and laughter into a home, but the right guidance early on can shape a well-behaved companion for life. Teaching a puppy as soon as possible is crucial, especially within the first 16 weeks. During this period, they are highly receptive to learning and can develop positive behaviors that prevent problems in the future.

This experience reminded me of how crucial our behavior is in shaping our dogs' actions. Dogs are natural predictors, and when we disrupt their expectations, we create opportunities for teaching. The key is recognizing that most of the time, the barriers we face in dog training come from us. If your dog isn’t responding as you’d like, it might be time to reflect on your own actions.

As tensions escalate in our social interactions, I've witnessed an alarming increase in behavioral issues among dogs, including resource guarding, aggression, and reactivity. These challenges may not only stem from external circumstances but could also mirror our internal emotional struggles. Dogs, with their remarkable ability to tune into our feelings, often reflect our state of mind more than we realize.

It raises an important question: Are our dogs picking up on the chaos and stress we emit? As I continue my journey in dog training, I am reminded of the profound connection between our emotional well-being and that of our pets. Cultivating a serene environment for ourselves may lead to a more harmonious existence for our beloved companions.

But anywho, for my folks with the leashed dogs—the ones who are trying to make their dog better—this blog is for you.

Having an off-leash dog run up to your dog is nerve-wracking, to say the least. We don’t know the dog, we don’t know its intentions, and worst of all, we put our dog in a weird position because they can’t run if they wanted to. So, what can you do when you’re in this situation?

“Don’t do board and trains” is what I read in the local suggestions. I resist the urge to ask why because it honestly makes ZERO sense to train a dog who struggles behaviorally at home. How do you expect someone who is coming to you for help due to their dog demonstrating x, y, or z to not only teach their dog new behaviors but also to make lifestyle changes? Like, tell me the secret because I’ve been trying to lose some weight while going to the gym and changing my diet. And let me tell you, doing both at the same time is HARD. But when I break it down to focus on one or the other to build a new habit, it is a bit easier. It’s just common sense that we often fail or are not long-term successful when we can’t focus and are trying to do too many things at once. Why would it be ANY different in learning a whole new communication and skill set when it comes to your dog? Make it make sense to me!

I hear it and see it all the time: my dog doesn’t seem to retain training, or they’re stubborn, or they’re just lost. It’s not that your dog doesn’t get it; it’s that you are babying them along the way. So why should they need to put in the work? Allowing your dog to make choices is the only true way to experience change that lasts and training that sticks.

Mental stimulation goes much deeper than the frozen kong or dog puzzle….As an active participant in a local Facebook group focused on dog ownership and training, I frequently respond to various questions that come up. Recently, a recurring theme has surfaced: owners expressing frustration regarding their dogs' destructive behaviors. These aren't just any dog owners; they are committed individuals genuinely striving to provide the best for their furry friends. Yet, despite their dedication, they find themselves at a crossroads, questioning what may have gone wrong.

It’s amazing, with today’s internet, that I still hear from time to time about how if a dog is wagging its tail, then it’s happy and everything is good. Or that a bite came out of nowhere, or my dog is just playing as it’s hyper-focused on a small animal.

Now, whether this is due to our rose-colored glasses because we don’t want to see the dog for who they truly are, or because we seriously don’t know, is a question I find myself asking quite a bit. I think in the U.S. alone, over 60% of households own a dog. I would say over half of that probably owns more than one dog. But yet, a lot of owners have ZERO idea what their dog is telling them.

It’s a misconception that showing your dog love, affection, and letting them on the couch or feeding them from your plate ruins training…In this blog we take a dive into on why that is a false statement.

When training a fearful dog with aggression or reactivity, it’s crucial to avoid exerting control, as this can heighten the dog's stress and worsen their emotional state. Instead, I recommend providing a managed freedom that allows the dog to explore independently, fostering confidence and trust.

Have you ever wondered how your emotions shape the behavior and well-being of your beloved four-legged companion? From creating a nurturing environment to influencing their socialization and communication, the emotional connection between humans and dogs runs deep...

Aggressive dogs seem to be a hot topic lately. For example, a dog that has previously shown aggression in a shelter environment was adopted out and actually mauled the owner to death. It’s a grim fate, and one we seem to hear more and more often than we did 20 years ago.

It’s a common misconception when greeting a dog that we should stick our hand out for them to smell. In all honesty, I prefer your hand over your face, but it’s still a behavior that a dog can misconstrue as rude, especially if you enter their space and then shove your hand even further into their space, such as their head.

Recently, I conducted a survey within a local pet community to identify the primary challenges contributing to the high rates of dog surrenders and rehoming in the area. The results overwhelmingly pointed towards two significant factors affecting pet owners in the region. One is the affordability of essential care like preventatives, food, and spaying/neutering. The second factor was attributed to insufficient research on the breed, leading to mismatched pet-owner relationships. While I brain-storm some ideas on how to help the local dog population, I wanted to put something together that may be of help now...

We, as humans, are sometimes the reason why our dog struggles. We get so caught up in our emotions and what others think of us that we forget about any consideration of the dog in front of us...

Have you considered how to keep your beloved pet safe in the face of a severe storm? It's vital to prepare your pet for such situations to safeguard their welfare. By taking proactive measures, you can guarantee your pet's safety and comfort during a storm....

Addressing a dog's digging behavior can be a common challenge for pet owners, with several creative and effective approaches available to tackle this issue....

I need to share this important information with you all...

When you bring a new dog into your home and grant them unrestricted access to your space, neighborhood, and more, challenges are likely to arise.

It is crucial to allow your dog some time to decompress and then introduce them to the house rules and boundaries from the start...

We are often asked if we utilize positive reinforcement techniques, and the answer is emphatically yes. However, we delve much deeper than just one quadrant of learning, as true breakthroughs can occur both inside and outside the conventional framework. Let's begin with the fundamentals....

I find many folks are amazed during their evaluation with us that I start with the basics such as food, exercise, and daily life schedule and not directly the problem at hand. While there is a whole thought process behind why I do this and why this way of thinking relates to long-term success after your dog’s training with us is done. But the entire process could be a book, so I’m going to break this down by each approach…. starting with your dog’s nutrition...