Not All Dogs are Social… and That’s OK!

This is a really hard thing for some owners to accept, but it’s so important. We all want a social, easy-going dog that gets along with everyone. But unfortunately, not all dogs want to play with other dogs. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort (trying to get away, nipping, barking), you need to respect that and remove them from the situation.

We can definitely train our dogs to co-exist around other dogs and to be calm and respectful, but we’re never going to force dogs to interact. That’s a recipe for disaster. So a little tough love here: stop forcing your dogs to be social just because you want them to be social. Let them have their space and interact if and when they are ready.

Monday Challenge: Talk Less

Monday challenge: Can you get your dog to do all of its commands without saying a word?

We as humans are so dependent on the English language that we overuse it to an absurd degree when talking to our dogs, who only understand the very few words that we have given meaning to: come, sit, down, yes, no, good, etc…

Have you ever told your dog “Sit. Fluffy, you need to sit. Fluffy, I want your butt on the ground. Good, that’s right. No, now you need to stay in a sit.”

Here’s what your dog actually hears: “Sit. Fluffy. Sit. Fluffy. Good. No. Sit.” How confusing is that?! Keep it simple by using fewer words (or none at all for this challenge) so that your dog actually understands what you want.

Beginning the Heel Command with E-Collar

This is a very typical first lesson in teaching a new dog the heel position. We start nice and slow, not worrying about the position so much as the dog’s attention on us.

In this session, Babe is on a level 4-10 out of 100. That’s an incredibly low number: just high enough so that he feels it, but low enough that it isn’t causing him any anxiety or fear. Every time he gets ahead of me, I’m going to hold down the e-collar button while I change direction. I release the button as soon as he is at my side, teaching him that he can turn off the e-collar by walking at my side. With repetition, he starts to understand this and stays closer to me (he also does it for all of the praise!).

We’ll do lots of short sessions like this to make sure that he really understands the position I want him to be in. Once I see that he is ready, we’ll start going to more distracting environments and testing his new skills.

Individualized Training Programs

Our training programs work because they are individualized to meet your specific needs. We work closely with you to make sure that you are meeting your goals to have the best life possible with your dog.

Schedule your free consultation to discuss how we can help you and your dog life a fulfilling life together!

Change Takes Time

Change takes time. It’s so easy to get frustrated when we’ve been eating right and exercising but we don’t see results on the scale. It’s uncomfortable to work hard on a relationship but still argue over trivial things. It’s hard to see great strides in our dogs’ training only to have them break command and cause chaos.

Don’t lose hope; change takes time. We may not see immediate results, and we may see behaviors revert back to old habits at times. But that doesn’t mean that everything that you’ve worked on is forgotten and nullified. It simply means that there is more work to be done.

Don’t let the moments of poor choices or unexpected results take away from all of the hard work you’ve put in. Instead, focus on all of the successes that you have had. Focus on the calm walks instead of pulling. Focus on how they don’t bark at the doorbell anymore. Focus on whatever success you are having, and find comfort in knowing that change will come in other areas, too. It just takes time and consistency.

Why We Love Teaching Heel

Heel is my favorite skill to teach any dog/owner because it opens your life up to so many new possibilities. If we teach your dog to remain neutral and focused on you and your movements out in the real world around distractions, you can truly go anywhere and do anything together.

Training expectations

It is such a relief when you have a dog that understands boundaries and rules. In the past, Copper would have darted out of the yard to say hello to everyone he saw. With solid training and expectations, he can now sit outside freely with us and just enjoy the world around him. No commands needed because he clearly understands the rules and is happy to live within the boundaries he’s been given.

We focus our training for the life that you want to live. It all comes down to clearly and consistently telling your dog what is and is not appropriate, and then enforcing those guidelines. With repetition and consistency, your dog can excel within the new boundaries that you put in place. This is what living a life of freedom with your dog is all about!

A Calm Dog is a Good Dog…

Have you ever heard someone say “a tired dog is a good dog”? I want to challenge that by saying “a calm dog is a good dog”.

Tired dogs regain their energy and go back to whatever antics they find rewarding. Calm dogs have been trained to relax, look to us for guidance, and practice self-control in busy environments. I would take a calm dog over a tired dog any day.