Overcoming Dog Training Challenges
Training your dog can sometimes feel like a maze filled with twists, turns, and unexpected obstacles. But overcoming dog training challenges is also an opportunity for growth—for both you and your dog. At Courteous Canine, we believe that turning challenges into learning moments can strengthen your bond and create lasting success. Here are three expert tips to help you and your pup thrive together! 1. [...]
3 Fun and Easy Ways to Prevent Dog Boredom and Boost Mental Stimulation
3 Fun and Easy Ways to Prevent Dog Boredom and Boost Mental Stimulation Keeping your dog mentally engaged is just as important as physical exercise—especially for energetic puppies or dogs recovering from injury. This article explores three creative boredom-busting activities that keep your furry friend’s mind active and tail wagging! 1. Sensory Treasure HuntTap into your dog’s natural instincts with a scent-based treasure hunt. Hide [...]
Fetch Rules Cheat Sheet for Judges and Competitors
The Fetch Rules Cheat Sheet for Judges and Competitors by Courteous Canine is your go-to guide for mastering every level of AKC Fetch — from Novice to Retriever. Designed to support both judges and handlers, this quick-reference tool simplifies the rules, requirements, and expectations so everyone can focus on teamwork, accuracy, and fun. At the Novice level, dogs fetch from 30 feet using a [...]
Puppy Socialization Essentials
Socialization is one of the most important parts of raising a happy, confident, and well-adjusted dog — and Puppy Socialization Essentials is your complete guide to doing it right! This practical and positive handout from Courteous Canine, Inc. helps puppy parents understand how to introduce their pups to the world in safe, joyful, and rewarding ways. To a young puppy, everything is new — [...]
A Promise to Your Dog
Before you embark on your behavior and training journey with us, know that modifying behaviors is a process. There are no quick fixes or immediate solutions. Though they can seem tedious, small steps are usually the fastest and most effective path to lasting success. While our staff will be coaching you along the way, behavior change takes time and effort. To ensure we are [...]
Canine Good Citizen & Pet Therapy
Therapy dogs, service dogs, and emotional support dogs are all the rage these days - but what does it all mean? And furthermore, what type of training do these dogs require? Each of these dogs has vastly different legal requirements but they do all need training. That's why we've created our Canine Good Citizen Pet Therapy classes. These classes will prepare you and your [...]
How to Identify Resource Guarding in Dogs
How to Identify Resource Guarding in Dogs Resource guarding happens when a dog tries to protect something valuable. It can include food, toys, people, or even space. Understanding dog body language is the key to preventing bites and improving safety. Early recognition helps owners respond calmly and effectively. A resource-guarding dog often shows clear signs. The dog may stop eating or lower its head over [...]
To Crate or Not to Crate
By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 designed by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI It has become a popular notion to crate dogs, especially during adolescence to encourage a reinforcement history with people rather than the environment. However, is keeping a dog crated for 23.5 hours a day appropriate? This article does not aim to exclusively answer any of the questions posed but [...]
The Problem with Shock Collars
The Problem with Shock Collars Download The Problem With Shock Collars as a PDF SHOCK COLLAR MALFUNCTION The first potential problem is that the unit itself may malfunction. Malfunctioning shock collars can cause electrical burns, creating holes in the affected dog’s neck and causing serious physical and emotional damage. To prevent this from happening never leave a shock collar on an unsupervised dog. This presents [...]
The Art and Science of Heeling
The Art & Science of Heeling By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 Designed by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI "Heeling is a dance of special connection with my dog. Some view it as merely a mechanical exercise, but for me it is the ultimate connection of our two spirits.” – Ruth E Barish, avid obedience competitor and author In the world of dogs [...]
The Power of Fun in Dog Training
The Power of Fun in Dog Training Being a fun detective pays off huge in dog training It’s six am and while sleeping in your bed, feeling cozy and content, your puppy has pounced on you! If your dog is mentally or physically under stimulated this could happen to you! Is this an annoying situation or fun detective opportunity? The truth is it can be [...]
Why Counter Conditioning Doesn’t Work
A common criticism of counter conditioning is that it does not work. While there can be many reasons why a behavior modification protocol based on counter conditioning fails it is almost always user error not that the counter conditioning itself doesn’t work. Here are four common reasons that cause counter conditioning to fail. Four reasons why Counter Conditioning doesn't work: Lack of Global Safe Zone [...]
