Author Archives: astoffel

Let me start by making something very clear: it is always OK to ask for help. At some point we seem to hit this stage where we feel like we need to have everything figured out in life, that we’ve somehow failed if we can’t make it on our own. And not only is this simply not true, but it can truly hurt us. So before we get any farther into this topic, allow yourselfContinue reading “6 Reasons to Hire a Dog Trainer”

Do you know what it looks like to advocate for your dog’s space? Would you feel comfortable stepping in if you had to? Do you know why it’s so important for your relationship with your dog that you get comfortable advocating for her? What Does it Mean to Advocate for Your Dog? Advocating for your dog’s space means standing up for her in situations where she’s uncomfortable. It means that you’ll step in and fixContinue reading “Let’s Talk About Advocating for Your Dog’s Space”

All of our puppy owners out there are likely falling madly in love with their sweet little pups. The snuggles, the puppy breath, the enthusiasm to do literally anything you ask of them. And all of our owners with 9-14 month old dogs are wondering “Where on earth did my sweet puppy go??” We call this fun age the “teenage phase”. By this age, your cute little puppy has grown into her adult-sized body, hormonesContinue reading “From Puppy to… Monster? The Teenage Years”

We hear a common question from families with multiple dogs that we want to address: “Why does my dog love her brother and they can play so great together, but she really doesn’t like other dogs?” So let’s talk about what’s going on here. Familiarity To start, there’s a lot to be said when it comes to familiarity. Your dogs are around each other all day every day. Even if they don’t have personalities thatContinue reading “Understanding Doggy Friendships”

We hear it all the time: “Crate train your dog!” But why? Is it really beneficial? Will it really help you and your dog? So before you decide if you should crate train your dog, let’s talk about the benefits of crating training. Boarding Are you going out of town soon for vacation, and needing to find a place for your pup to stay? Unless you have someone coming to your house to care forContinue reading “Top 5 Reasons You Should Crate Train Your Dog”

There are so many different ways to teach your dog the down command. The most common method that you’ll see is using a treat to lure your dog’s body into the position you want to see. And it’s the most common because it works really well… for most dogs. But what if your dog just doesn’t understand, or doesn’t care, or doesn’t want to? Teaching the Down Command in a Way That Makes Sense forContinue reading “Teaching Your Dog the Down Command… Getting Creative”

Group classes are a popular option for lots of dog owners. But that doesn’t mean they’re the best training choice for every family. When investing in your dog’s training, you want to make sure that it will be the best fit for your goals, your schedule, and your budget. So we’re going to break down everything you need to know about group classes so that you can confidently make the decision that is best forContinue reading “Are Group Classes Right for Me and My Dog?”

Day training is a fairly new training program in the world of dog training, so you likely have some questions: what is it, how does it work, is it right for my family? We’re here to provide you with the information you need to make an educated decision for your family. So let’s break down those big questions so that you can decide if day training is the right investment for your training needs. WhatContinue reading “Is Day Training Right for Me and My Dog?”