Brining a puppy home is an exciting time!

I mean who doesn’t love snuggles and puppy breath? But like with any baby, we must prepare our home to keep our new found friend safe. No different than a toddler, puppies are curious animals and can often find themselves in trouble if our house is not properly prepped. While I don’t condone leaving any baby unattended for even the shortest amount of time (go team crate training!). I know life sometimes has it’s own plan and leaving for even just a second is unavoidable.

With this day and age, more and more folks are traveling with their dog. It is a fun experience for dog and human alike, but without these basic items for your furry friend a fun trip can turn quickly into stress.

All trainers talk about effective communication and you can find many versions of such during your training. The most common one that opens a world of possibilities is using consistent marker words. Marker words is way to give your dog feedback on a task that they are performing. For example, if you ask your dog to sit and the dog sits, you then could mark the behavior with the word “yes” or “good.” Providing your dog feedback that they did something correctly. The same goes if your dog does something wrong. We’ll use sit again as an example. You ask your dog to sit and your dog does not sit then you mark with “no” to provide your dog feedback that they didn’t do it correctly.

One of the first things we teach our puppy is how to walk on a leash. This is usually taught through pressure and release. Meaning if there is pressure on the leash we typically stop or some pull back. The puppy they may fight a little, but eventually gives into the pressure and come towards you to release the pressure. A simple concept that again most of us teach to our puppies....

Will Work for Cookies

Most folks know that you need some form of motivation to teach your dog new behaviors and most of the time that motivation comes in the form of cookies or food. Often times folks get stuck in this type of reinforcement and their dog starts expecting a reward every time they’re asked to do something. Essentially creating a dog that will only work for cookies.

I’m often faced with new doggy owners who are struggling with their pup inside the home, whether it’s housebreaking, destruction, or being plan obnoxious. My destressed owners are often at their wits end with their furry friend. I often find in these scenarios that it’s rarely the dog that is the problem. It’s actually the human and their unrealistic expectation of the dog’s behavior when they first bring them home.

When training our dog, we often overlook what our dog finds valuable. We assume the treats that the pet store attendant suggested are the best thing since slice bread. Only to find out when we go home and offer one to our pup, they turn their nose and walk away. Or maybe you’ve trained at home for x,y,and z behaviors with said treat and decided you wanted to move your training to the local park. Much to your dismay your dog has lost interest in this reward and would rather explore what’s behind the bush.

Something to think about when training your dog…

There’s a point during a consultation with a client where they’ll sigh and reprimand themselves for allowing their dog on the furniture. They’ll go on how they’re bad owners and that they’re the reason for their dog’s bad behavior. While most of that statement may be true, I often find letting their dog on the furniture is the least of their problems.

It must be puppy season or something, because the amount of destroyed crate pictures I’m scrolling through on my timeline is astounding. It’s so astounding that I broke out my good ol’ laptop to write up a quick blurb on how to keep your dog and house safe from each other. So let’s start, shall we?

Teaching boundaries.

Teaching your dog to get out of the kitchen when asked or to respect a piece of furniture is a fairly easy task for your dog to understand…if you’re consistent.

If they eat, take them out. If they wake up, take them out.

If they just got done playing, take them out.

So you bought a new puppy and the first thing he does as soon as he walks into your home is pee on the floor. You feel a tinge of anger creep in, but it’s a new relationship so you just clean up the mess and move on.

Training tools, the taboo of dog training.

If you’re at all involved in the dog community I’m sure you have read, seen, and/or heard folks bicker or maybe full out brawl about what training methods to use. You have one person accusing the other of abuse and the other person accusing the first person of being a snowflake. It seems to be a never-ending story about who’s right and who’s wrong.

“An Estimated 59% of Cats and 54% of Dogs in the United States are Overweight or Obese.” -The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

Pet obesity is a problem here in the United States. I would say about 50% of the pets I encounter are overweight or obese…Let that sink in, 50%, and I only see or work with less than 1% of the pet population. Astronomical!!

“My dog just won’t focus on me when we’re outside, it’s like I’m not even here.”

You have probably heard this before from a friend or a family member – hell, you’ve probably witnessed this scenario at the local dog park. Here’s a little secret…they’re bored and if you relate to the above sentence, well you’re the one boring them… sorry if I’m busting your bubble.

Think twice before buying that Christmas Puppy

Advice how to care for our dogs in the heat.

A list of harmful foods for your pet during the holiday season.

Intro to clicker training your pup.

Being prepared for your pet incase of a natural disaster.