Preventing Door Dashing in Dogs with Positive Training
Preventing Door Dashing in Dogs with Positive Training Preventing door dashing in dogs is an important part of keeping pets safe around open doors, visitors, and busy entryways. With positive reinforcement, management, and consistent practice, dogs can learn safer behaviors that replace rushing through the doorway. A helpful first step is giving your dog appropriate exercise before training. A walk, play session, or other activity [...]
Dog Training’s Dirty Little Secret: Anyone Can Legally Do It
Most dog guardians assume that professional trainers follow strict standards. These standards include education, safety, and ethics. Dog Training’s Dirty Little Secret: Anyone Can Legally Do It challenges that belief. It reveals a reality many people do not expect. In the United States, dog training is largely unregulated. While dogs must be licensed, the people handling their behavior and welfare often are not. This article [...]
Update on NEW AKC Trick Training Titles
By Marie Macher Trick training is a fun, engaging, and great way to build a bond with your dog! Not only do you and your pup get to show off tricks to family and friends, but your dog is staying mentally stimulated while gaining confidence. As trick training can be practiced almost anywhere, it allows both social and reactive dogs the ability to participate, recently [...]
How to teach your dog to jump through a hoop
Here is a great YouTube Channel and tutorial on how to teach your dog to jump through a hoop. Kikopup has many of these videos that are clear and easy to understand. We highly recommend all of Emily Larlham's videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arW12GQCY7E&feature=em-uploademail
Five Benefits of Playing Fetch with Your Dog
Five Benefits of Playing Fetch with Your Dog Playing fetch with your dog is more than a fun way to pass the time. This simple game can support physical fitness, mental enrichment, confidence, manners, and overall wellbeing. For many dogs, fetch provides a rewarding combination of movement, focus, and interaction with their favorite person. One of the biggest benefits of fetch is exercise. Running after [...]
Flirt Pole Fun for Dogs: Safe and Happy Playtime
Flirt Pole Fun for Dogs: Safe and Happy Playtime Flirt pole training for dogs can be a fun way to provide physical exercise, mental stimulation, and an exciting outlet for natural chase behaviors. A flirt pole uses a long pole, flexible line, and attached toy to create playful movement that encourages dogs to chase, pounce, and engage. The key is to introduce the game gradually. [...]
Cheeseball Recall
By Brenna Fender If you need to work on getting your dog to come when called, here’s a fun game to try! Select an easy-to-eat, fairly dry, easy-to-toss, visible treat. The name of this exercise comes from the use of puffed cheese ball snacks (the kind humans eat!) as treats. Toss the treat a few feet out in front of your dog. Make sure he [...]
Fun Scent Games for Dogs Using Food, Toys, and Easy Searches
Fun Scent Games for Dogs Using Food, Toys, and Easy Searches Scent games for dogs are a simple and rewarding way to provide mental enrichment while encouraging natural sniffing behavior. These activities can help dogs build confidence, use their brains, and enjoy a fun challenge at home. This beginner-friendly guide introduces three easy scent games that gradually increase in difficulty. The first game teaches your [...]
Teaching Dogs Helpful Household Skills with Positive Training
Teaching Dogs Helpful Household Skills with Positive Training Teaching dogs helpful household skills can be a fun and practical way to build confidence, improve communication, and add useful behaviors to everyday life. This guide shows dog owners how to break down impressive tasks into simple, achievable training steps. Dogs can learn to open and close drawers, pick up lightweight objects, hand items to their person, [...]
How to Be More Fun Than a Squirrel During Dog Training
How to Be More Fun Than a Squirrel During Dog Training Making dog training more engaging can help your dog focus on you instead of every exciting distraction in the environment. This guide shows how interactive play, high-value rewards, and thoughtful training games can make you more interesting than squirrels, smells, movement, and other competing distractions. One useful strategy is the Look Game. This exercise [...]
How to Say “I Love You” in Dog Language
How to Say “I Love You” in Dog Language Learning how dogs show love can help you better understand your dog and strengthen the bond you share. Dogs communicate affection through body language, behavior, play, and everyday interactions. By learning to recognize these signals, you can respond in ways your dog finds comfortable and rewarding. Dogs may show affection by leaning against you, snuggling nearby, [...]
Don’t Be Callous: How Punishment Can Go Wrong
How Punishment Can Affect Dog Training and Behavior Punishment in dog training can produce immediate changes in behavior, but those changes may not last. This article examines why aversive training methods can be unreliable, difficult to apply correctly, and harmful to a dog’s emotional wellbeing. Behavior science shows that mild punishment may briefly interrupt an unwanted behavior without creating lasting change. In many cases, the [...]
