Many dog owners feel like they are constantly trying to tire their dog out. Long walks. Games of fetch. Trips to the park. Lick mats. Toys. More play. More activity. But sometimes, that’s not actually the right question. What started as a 30-minute walk becomes an...
Conflict with your dog often starts with expectations. When we talk about expectations, we mean behaviors you believe your dog should reliably perform in a specific situation. Not a hope. Not a wish. A skill you believe your dog already knows and can do consistently....
Dog reactivity is a term used to describe dogs who have exaggerated emotional responses to certain triggers. “Reactive” dogs overreact to something with behavior that is overexcited, angry, frustrated, or anxious. Often characterized by excessive barking, pulling,...
Picture this: your doorbell rings, you say to your dog, “Place.” The command stops her in her tracks, and she trots over to a small rug, her place. You open the door, accept the pizza delivery, and she remains on her place. You close the door and head to the dinner...
You want a better-behaved dog, but where do you begin? Simple steps can help you start to change your relationship with your dog. While the following tips may not change or eliminate behaviors completely, starting on the basics will help if and when you decide to work...
Planning for challenging, unsafe, or uncomfortable situations can help you better navigate life with your dog. Just like fire drills help us prepare for emergencies, understanding unsafe or stressful incidents with your dog is also helpful. You’ve thought through how...
Dog training can feel frustrating when progress is slow, but sometimes small things get in the way without us realizing it. A well-behaved dog starts with a calm state of mind. If your dog is too excited, nervous, or stuck in a “fight or flight” mode, they’re paying...
What does your dog choose to do when you’re not giving a specific command? Bark at the window? Follow everyone around the house? Stay over-excited all day? Does he ignore you when you need him to pay attention? So what’s missing? When your dog respects your...
Running your puppy tired doesn't create a calm dog Young puppies don’t have the mental capacity for long walks There are more valuable ways to start your puppy toward being an awesome dog It is best to practice moderate expectations and incorporate short walks into...
Your dog doesn’t have to love the vet, but she does need to be on good behavior. Vets work long hours to care for our beloved canines; we can help make their job a bit easier by training our dogs for the vet. Getting your dog ready for the vet also means training her...
Every dog will need grooming regardless of the breed and training is important to making that possible. Your goal is to start small, getting your puppy used to the motions and sensations of brushing, nail clipping, and even bathing. Through regular handling, slow...
Raising a well-behaved dog starts by establishing a calm state of mind during puppyhood. Beginning with crate training your new pup will set your family up for long-term success. When you crate train your puppy, you teach them how to self-settle. This assigns your...
There are pros and cons of getting a second dog. Thinking through each point is essential before introducing another pup to your household. Here are some tips that will help you make the best decision.When is Right to Get a Second Dog? As dog trainers, we’re often...
As dog trainers and owners, we have favorite dog-related products that make our lives easier and are well-made. Many are from smaller businesses and are also available locally. We love to support our local businesses year-round, but especially during the holiday...
Learning to anticipate your dog's reactivity is key to stopping unwanted behaviors. It’s a process and takes time to learn to read your dog’s body language well. The better we get at reading their body language, the more efficiently and accurately we can set ...
Having a well-behaved dog starts with your leadership. We talk a lot about leading your dog to make better choices, consistent boundaries, and assigning your dog a job. A key component to being a successful leader is advocacy. No matter who you’re leading, a team at...
Can a person be successful without using tools to change their dog’s behavior? Absolutely. But using these tools to train your dog speeds up the process and makes your consistent training effort very efficient. The use of training tools in our program can produce fast...
Setting and maintaining a schedule can help take the guesswork out of resolving bad behavior. No matter your dog’s age, more daily management of your dog is generally required to get different results. A Schedule for Calmness Setting and maintaining a schedule is...
Separation anxiety in dogs can make your life, and your dog’s, much more challenging than it needs to be. The good news is that it is fixable and you can stop the barking, whining, chewing, digging, and pawing. Your leadership is the key ingredient to changing this...
Keeping a leash on your dog while inside your home is an easy and effective way to guide your dog’s behavior. Leashes are traditionally used on walks, outside of the house, but added training value can be found in using them inside. Many people seek out dog training...
Dogs can be a great source of companionship and a solid motivator for your exercise. But walking an untrained dog can be unpredictable and increase the risk of a fall. A recent study reports a sharp increase in injuries related to dog walking, with the most common...
It’s typical and natural for a puppy or an untrained dog to put the leash in their mouth. It takes patience to work with your dog to make walks and daily life less frustrating and see them drop their leash. Here are points to remember as you start to convey better...
A common question many owners have is: Will my dog always have to use a dog crate and prong collar? We always make the point that owners can choose when to stop using a crate or prong collar but that the choice is best made when there are no more behavior issues to...
You may have seen below our logo: “creating a family-centered canine life” – but what does that mean? Our dogs are truly a family member. Although we raise them differently than children, dogs learn and respond best to a sensitive and assertive approach that teaches...
Dogs have the capacity to change and grow faster than we give them credit for. We tend to sell them short concerning their capacity to improve how they behave. What is required is a basic level of leadership to lead them toward the things we wish them to do. When we...
Working one-on-one with a trainer or coach is proven to give you better results–regardless of what you want to accomplish. Research done on career, fitness, and personal growth coaching can be applied to training your dog. In every case where you want more knowledge...
Personal health and wellness are often at the top of the list for New Year’s resolutions. But how do our dogs figure into our resolutions? That might sound like, 'we should work on training more.' But what if it's actually about finding the right training program? If...
Question: "I’m taking my dog to my friend's house for the holiday. There will be new and familiar people, other dogs, and food. What are some tips to keep up my dog’s training?"I travel to friends and family regularly with my dog and the holidays are an especially...
Dog Coach dog training is about changing your energy as a dog owner and handler. You want better behavior from your dog, you’re raising your expectations of your dog – and yourself. Something as small as changing your voice can change your energy and shift the way you...
What is Place Command for Dogs Place is a command that tells your dog to go to a specific location and remain there until released. It can be a small rug, cot, dog bed, even a bath mat or towel. Place is a helpful command for getting your dog to settle and using it...
Why Short Walks Can Be More Effective for Your Dog When most people think of a tired dog, they think of long walks, running free, or playing fetch. Each of those has its place. But for many dogs, especially those struggling with behavior, shorter walks can be far more...
When you want a better behaved dog, it all starts with establishing your dog’s calm state of mind. By focusing on training at home with lower distractions you teach your dog how to be calm. A calm dog doesn’t just naturally happen without your instruction. If your...
Full crate training a dog is teaching them to self-settle in their dog crate, with the door closed, whenever you place them in the crate for a nap or nighttime sleep. This approach yields the most benefits of crate training and contributes to better behavior outside...
When you’re trying to train a better dog, every day is a good day to train your dog. Feeding morning breakfast, getting “dressed” with collars and leash, going out the door, and on your everyday walk, the opportunities can be significant.How do you identify training...
While dog parks may seem like a good idea, they can compromise your dog’s calm, manageable state of mind and all the work you’ve done on training your dog. You can never be quite sure who is there and how other dogs will behave. Instead, opt for one of these choices...
There’s no question that food can have a powerful effect on a dog. How you choose to incorporate food into relationship-based dog training actually matters. By using a dog’s natural food drive, you can impart lessons of leadership, calmness, impulse control, and...
Socialization of your dog is built on your human-canine relationship before it’s time for a fun canine-canine interaction. Leadership precedes socialization.Socialization of dogs goes beyond the simple concept of “mixing with others” and “let the dogs work it out.”...
Many dog owners are already walking their dogs every day. But if your dog is pulling, scanning the environment, reacting to everything, or making their own decisions the entire time, that walk may be adding more stimulation than it’s relieving. A Structured Walk is...
Getting a new puppy is a big milestone. Whether you’re a seasoned dog owner or it’s your first dog, these puppy training tips will help get you started. The more time you put in with your puppy now, the quicker success you’ll have getting better behavior in the...
The winter holiday season can be a lot. From parties to shopping, winter sports or exams, we all have plenty to do. Here’s a list of Dog Coach tips to help you navigate the season, enjoy life with your dog, and generally remain sane! Whether you have a dog that’s young, reactive, or just needy, these tips will help you stay in control into the new year.
What Housebreaking Really Is Housebreaking can feel frustrating. You take your dog outside, nothing happens. Then they come inside and go on the floor. It starts to feel confusing or even intentional. Housebreaking isn't a behavior problem. It's a timing and...
Rough play can look intense. Growling, chasing, body slamming, wrestling. It can sound aggressive, especially if you’re not sure what you’re looking at. So the question becomes: Is this normal, or is it a problem? And maybe more importantly, What happens when you step...
What is Uncontrolled Barking? Uncontrolled barking is exactly what it sounds like.If your dog is barking and unable to stop, that’s uncontrolled.Left alone, it can quickly become a problem for you and everyone around you. You may see it at the window, at the front...
You’ve taught your dog well. He usually behaves and responds to your commands when people come to your door. But just because your dog knows what to do it doesn’t mean your guests know what they need to do when arriving at your home.
Your Dog Isn’t the Problem. The Pattern Is. Many dog owners feel stuck. You’ve tried to do the right things. You’ve watched videos, read advice, maybe even done training before. But your dog is still pulling on walks, barking at everything, or ignoring you when it...
See the full list of areas served
Team Puppy is for dogs ages 8-16 weeks. The program is 3 sessions, one-on-one and covers:
Foundation training is a comprehensive approach to dog training. Whether you're looking for obedience training or behavior modification, Our results-driven dog training is a deep dive into how you and your family interact with your dog.
Basic challenges we address include:
Remote collar training is for the dog that tends to make bad choices, is uncontrollable, does not listen to you, or is easily over-excited.
Remote collar training includes all the lessons of our Foundation Program with practice in: