dog training tips Archives

How To Help Your Pup Feel Safe Around Other Dogs After Being Attacked

It’ll take more than a belly rub and a biscuit for a sensitive pup to forget the day their trust in other dogs was shattered. A single painful experience, like a dog fight, can cause a formerly carefree dog to cower or lash out every time they’re near another canine. It’s a natural response to fear, but it doesn’t have to be permanent. There is no fool-proof method in helping a dog recover from a stressful experience, but with time, … Read more

Why Do Some Dogs Love To Shred Paper?

You know your dog has a paper shredding problem when you come home to find what’s left of the toilet paper roll in the living room, unread mail torn and scattered across the floor, and every tissue box in the house suddenly empty. The old excuse of “my dog ate my homework” now seems like a valid explanation, and you can’t figure out why your otherwise well-behaved dog can’t keep their teeth from tearing up all the paper in sight. … Read more

3 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs To Know Their Name

We’ve all been that person frantically calling our dog’s name only to have them do everything possible to pretend we don’t exist. Not only is this scenario frustrating and embarrassing, it’s also dangerous. The first thing people do when bringing home a new dog is play the name game. They think long and hard about the perfect names for their prized pooches, but most spend significantly less time working on name recognition. Copper, Bailey, Luna, and Jewels are at a … Read more

How To Help Your Rescue Dog Gain Confidence

From being abandoned by people they thought they could trust to surviving abuse and neglect, adopters can’t always relate to the trauma and obstacles their rescue dogs endure. Some dogs face each new challenge and path in life with optimism and courage, but others learn through past experiences to be shy and fearful. Even after making it out of the shelter and being adopted by a loving family, a lack of confidence can interfere with a rescue dog’s ability to … Read more

5 Tips For Teaching Your Dog Impulse Control And Why It’s Important

For a dog, life is all about instant gratification. They gobble their food without chewing, push past people to get through doors, chase after cats without a second’s thought, and jump on every stranger they meet. They’re impatient and pushy, and those personality traits will get them into trouble. Whether you want your dog to keep his cool at the sound of the doorbell or resist the urge to chase passing cars, teaching impulse control is the first step in … Read more

5 Crucial Reasons To Stop Scolding Your Dog

It can happen to the best of us. You come home from work and find that your dog made a mess. They wake you up in the middle of the night to bark at a squirrel. They jump on your friends every time they come to visit. Sometimes it happens before you even have a chance to think about it: you yell at your dog to discourage the behavior. The problem is that you aren’t actually teaching your dog anything, … Read more

Can You Teach A Dog To Like Cats?

There are some dogs who love their feline friends at first sight, but then there are others who seem determined to play into that age-old stereotype that says dogs and cats can’t get along. Dogs are instinctive hunters, and a strong prey drive or a general dislike of cats can cause chaos between the two species. But if you’re an all-around animal lover, the question of whether or not you can train a dog to like cats has likely crossed … Read more

How To Train A Dog That Isn’t Motivated By Treats

Most dogs are willing to do just about anything for the chance at a tasty treat. That kind of food motivated behavior makes training with treats a dog owner's go-to move, but what happens when your dog isn't interested in your pocketful of biscuits and bones? Without proper motivation, training a dog in obedience can feel impossible. You need something to grab their attention and get them listening, and when treats don't do the trick, it's time to switch tactics. ... Read more

5 Tips For Raising A Friendly Dog

The first few months your new puppy or rescue dog spends in your home will set the tone for your life together. It is important to establish rules and provide plenty of socialization during this time. Although the following 5 steps can help you raise a well-rounded, friendly pooch, some dogs require more training than others. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a trainer or behaviorist for help! 1. Do not take a dog from its mother and … Read more

Ask A Dog Trainer: What’s the Best Harness For A Dog That Pulls?

Leash pulling is one of the most complained about dog behaviors. It’s not just annoying, it can be dangerous if your dog is stronger than you, gets away from you, or causes you to fall. Obviously, the only way to stop leash pulling is training. But while you are working with your trainer, some may need help managing the behavior until their dog has learned leash manners. What’s “managing a behavior”? Managing a behavior is a way of helping to … Read more

Treat Training Tips For Dogs

Positive reinforcement training is rapidly gaining popularity and that, for the most part, that means lots of treats! Treats are used as the primary reward at first because food is something that most dogs love more than anything else. This means they are willing to do almost anything (even a boring sit-stay!) to get a yummy morsel. Think of it as your dog’s paycheck. You wouldn’t work 40 hours a week without pay, why should your dog? But not all … Read more

dog training tips