Lifesavers
Lifesavers No, not the candy. Lifesavers for dogs. What things are so important for a dog to learn that they could literally save their life? Socialization A lot of people think this just means playing with other dogs. That’s a small ...
Dog Training
Puppy Shopping List
Puppy Shopping List Puppy food (preferably what puppy was eating before, then switch brands slowly if you want to, variety is a good idea if it doesn’t upset puppy’s stomach) Treats for training (small, soft, easy to break up into tiny ...
Car rides not fun?
Car rides not fun? Does your dog get car sick and/or scared when he rides in the car? Many dogs do. One study showed 21% of dog owners report this issue. Many puppies get car sick because their inner ear, which helps with balance, is ...
Leadership or Dominance?
Leadership or Dominance? Now that scientists are actually studying canines, we know that dogs are not pack animals like wolves, as was once believed and do not form linear dominance hierarchies amongst themselves. Even our knowledge ...
Don’t Go To Obedience Classes!
Don’t Go To Obedience Classes! Why would a dog trainer who teaches group classes say that? Group classes are great for teaching basic good manners and things like “sit” or “come”. But if your dog has behavior issues, an obedience class ...
Puppies Jumping Up on People
Puppies Jumping Up on People First let’s just clear up why puppies jump on people. It’s because they’re friendly and are trying to say hello! That’s all. Of course there are multiple (good) reasons why we don’t want them putting their ...
“Walking” a Puppy
“Walking” a Puppy I think loose leash walking is one of the hardest things to teach a dog. They just don’t walk the way we do: comparatively slow, in straight lines, without stopping to check things out. Certainly it’s much easier if ...
My Puppy Hates His Crate!
My Puppy Hates His Crate! Trainers hear this all the time. What puppies really hate is not the crate, it’s being left alone. There are certain instincts that our domestic dogs seem to retain from their wild ancestors and this is ...
10 Traits of a Savvy Dog Owner
10 Traits of a Savvy Dog Owner 1 You use high value treats when training in distracting environments (like a dog training class) 2. You’ve ditched your retractable leash 3. You let your dog wander and sniff on a walk, instead of ...
First Things I’m Teaching My Puppy
First Things I’m Teaching My Puppy Sit? Down? Stay? Heel? Nope. Her name (of course). “Get your TOY” (If you don’t want a puppy biting your hands, toes, clothes, furniture, other dogs, everything in reach . . . what do you want ...