Author Archives: astoffel

Our private lessons are a great option for families with busy schedules that still want a unique and personalized training experience. Are they the right fit for you?

When we think of socializing our dogs, most people assume this means getting a young puppy around as many dogs and people as possible. What I’d like to challenge you to think about today is if those encounters are actually beneficial, and if there’s more that we can do to help make our dogs well-rounded. Check out our thoughts on a (dare I say…) better way to socialize your dog to give it a solidContinue reading “What does “socializing” actually look like?”

The place command at work in my favorite way: out in the real world! Think of all of the tempting sights and sounds that could steal your dog’s attention at a campsite (people, food, wild animals, other dogs…). With the place command, you can peacefully enjoy a quiet weekend with your dog out in nature.

Let’s talk about the importance of having a solid heel command. Is it always necessary? No. Is it incredibly useful when you need it? Absolutely! We went camping last weekend with our dog, Copper. We got a morning hike in before the heat hit, and halfway through the trail we noticed that we were surrounded by poison ivy and stinging nettles. Now typically Copper is allowed to wander with a loose leash on hikes. TheContinue reading “Why is the Heel Command So Important?”

We’ve talked about self-care a lot this month. Dog training is about more than just training your dog. It is about training ourselves to be stronger, more consistent, and more stable for our dogs. If you truly want to lead your dog, you need to start by taking care of yourself. This year has been one of many unexpected twists and turns that can wear you down pretty quickly if you let them. This InternationalContinue reading “International Self-Care Day”

It’s so easy to focus on the tangible behaviors that we can easily address: sit, come, stay, down. Those are important for having a well-rounded dog, but obedience commands are only a piece of the puzzle. It’s important that we also address the behaviors that affect our dogs’ mindsets. Whining, panting, following us around the house, etc. are all signs that our dogs are uncomfortable, uneasy, anxious. How can we expect them to relax andContinue reading “Address Behaviors that Affect Your Dog’s Mindset”

Nope! We will most likely have some stubborn behaviors to work through, but your dog is never too old to learn. Don’t let your dog’s age stop you from giving it the best life possible!

Here’s a breakdown of our two-week Board and Train program. We go over what we train during the program, and what you can expect after your training program. Take a look, this could be just the thing that you were looking for!