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Good dog trainers have good timing. Knowing how and when to challenge the dog, and when to back off, is the difference between success and failure in dog training. We get to that level through experience, and by becoming experts in reading canine body language.  Dogs are honest creatures. They aren’t capable of lying. That’s […]

Puppy socialization is an integral part of building a solid foundation for your dog. Puppy socialization isn’t taking your dog to the dog park. We don’t recommend that any of our clients do that. Instead, proper socialization looks like exposing your dog during its first six months to two years to as many novel pictures […]

The average pet dog pulls on the leash, barks at delivery drivers, jumps on guests as they enter the home, chases squirrels, and becomes overstimulated when faced with novelty. We can explain those behaviors by saying most dogs lack the ability to control their impulses. We teach dogs to control their impulses by helping them […]

Positive reinforcement in dog training is the first quadrant of operant conditioning and is a very powerful way to train dogs and humans. Positive reinforcement literally means increasing the likelihood of behavior occurring in the future by rewarding the behavior with something pleasant, like treats, toys, or money. Positive reinforcement teaches the dog to be […]

While training varies from dog to dog based on the desired outcome such as puppy development, basic obedience, or advanced obedience, reducing reactivity, or scent detection, the fundamentals are the same. At the end of the day, we are all dog trainers. Whether it’s your first dog or your third, you’re a dog trainer. Are […]

First, we must prioritize our relationship with the dog. If the handler-canine relationship is degraded, we will see training regression and behavioral issues with our dogs.When we have a great relationship with our dogs, we will see training efficiency and get more out of our dogs. Second, we need to define clear expectations for our […]

If we want our verbal, visual, or physical cues to be impactful, then we must limit our use of them. Part of being a good dog trainer is understanding what motivates your dog such as food, affection, or toys. Your dog’s favorite toy can be used to teach it obedience, agility, or even detection. Handlers […]

Dog training is a complex puzzle. Taking a holistic approach to training dogs, i.e., putting together the puzzle, yields real world results that stand the test of time. Dogs think in pictures and it’s our job as trainer/handler/owner, to paint the easiest-to-understand pictures and communicate our expectations associated with those pictures to reduce stress and […]