top of page
Browse our list of frequently asked dog training questions! Some images are clickable and will take you to a further supporting content that we think you'll find useful.
How do I pick the right pup for me?
Consider your lifestyle and compare it to the breed you're going for, what they're bred to do and you can even lookup Facebook groups for that breed where you can learn from other pet parents familiar with the dog you'll be bringing home!
Once you're set on a breed and you've found a litter, see if you can meet the puppy's mom and dad and/or learn as much as you can about their demeanour before selecting from one of their pups.
As you learn about them and get to meet the pups, from your first impressions you can often get a good idea for their energy level, demeanour and even personality to see if you think it will be an ideal fit for you, your personality and your day to day life!
Is your dog getting into trouble?
(Click on image) Try this food puzzle to prevent their brain and mind for looking something else to do, as well as redirect them to do something more productive instead!
Why is my dog seeming hyper?
There may be a few possibilities to consider. The first one is that your dog may be feeling bored, however contrary to popular belief, the most common reason a dog feels hyper, especially after having exercised, is that they haven't yet learned/been taught how to relax and manage their own emotions.
Similarly to the idea of tucking children in at night with a bedtime story, we can also guide dogs to help them go from an excited, agitated and restless state to a calm one. An easy exercise you can practice is to provide your dog with a food puzzle or snuffle mat after a physically demanding activity, to help their brain focus on a more calming task like using their nose which at the same time helps them relax, slow down regulate their feelings.
Add to this a frozen Kong and you'll have yourself a dog that is keeping busy by chewing and above all licking, which also helps dogs soothe and feel at ease once more.
What is puppy socialization?
Most people think of puppy socialization in terms of meeting other dogs, puppies and people but it's so much more than that!
A well socialized dog is one that knows how to make good and safe decisions in social settings. This includes everything from being handled, to following your guidance regardless of different sounds, smells and sights around them. Add to the mix touching and stepping on different textures and objects.
Taking baby steps, do your best to expose your pup to everything and anything, starting with everything you can think of in and around your home, until it's 100% safe for them to spend more and more time outside in the real world!
What is the right dog breed for me?
Read about as many dog breeds as you can, their breed origins, what they're bred for and find Facebook groups about that breed where you can see what their owners had to say. Take into consideration your lifestyle as well as the mental and physical requirements of each breed.
If I feed my dog human food, will they not want their kibble anymore?
It depends.
If you would like to provide human food (please double check with your veterinarian) to your dog, this can be a great rare treat. More importantly however, providing human food or any kind of high value treat can and should be used in scenarios where your dog has a more difficult time making good decisions.
For example, when you're walking past a dog park if your dog feels very excited and distracted you can use a high value treat as a reward when they're able to give you more of their attention.
If I pickup my dog is that bad?
It isn't! When it comes to any physical contact with your dog you want to keep in mind How and When you're doing it.
If you provide affection to another person at the wrong time, they may ask you to give you some space. If you give them attention when they need it or feel ready to receive it, then it will be of benefit to you both.
The same goes for your dog! Pick them up when they're feeling scared and you will have provided them with comfort and guidance. Pick them up when they're in the middle of a game and they may find a way to let you know that they rather focus on the game right now.
For best results, pickup your dog when you feel the most confident that they will want to receive the gesture and affection from it.
If I use dog treats, will I always need them?
Not at all! Treats are a very effective and an amazing way of letting your dog know that he has done something you are happy with.
Treats can be used to 'lure' or help a dog do a specific task but they will be even more useful to you if provided only when or immediately after your dog has performed the task, before the treat is provided.
With this approach, you can with time use other types of treats to reward good behaviour, such as your voice, your touch, your affection, their kibble and water.
Should I pickup my dog while on walks?
There's a lot of misconception about when we should or shouldn't pickup our dog in our arms.
When your dog is feeling overwhelmed, tired or unsure about something you can certainly pick them up and comfort them! However it's important to note that what will ensure your dog feels calm and relaxed again is to help them learn that they can take space from what's making them feel uneasy, by walking them away.
Why does my dog chase his tail?
Chasing one’s own tail is a natural behaviour for dogs, especially pups, as a common form of play for predator animals and if they're feeling bored. Constant repetition of this could be enough reason to contact your vet.
Why does my dog stare at me?
Dogs are very good at communicating with us through non-verbal cues and their eyes can oftentimes speak louder than the loudest bark!
if you find your dog staring at you, and you know that they're not hungry, thirsty or in need of a bathroom break, then chances are your dog is staring at you as a way of letting you know that they'd love to do something with you!
Provide them with a fun game of tug and pull or a nice food puzzle so they can make use of their energy. If you proactively do this throughout the day your dog is more likely to nap instead of staring.
When should I take my dog to dog parks?
There's no rush! If that's your only option for socialization, make sure you start slowly and at your dog's pace. Prior to attending a dog park, make sure your dog has a good recall and has practiced getting to meet different types of dogs (not just size & breeds but play styles and demeanours) in more controlled environments. This will better prepare both you and your dog for this type of unregulated environment.
How do you potty train a puppy?
1. Make sure that you monitor their daily water intake to see to it that they're not drinking too much/out of boredom. 2. Log the amount of time between pees, even if it was an accident. 3. Slowly work on increasing the amount of time in between outdoor bathroom breaks. 4. After playing, sleeping and eating provide your pup with a quick opportunity to pee & poo outside.
If my dog doesn't say hi on walks is that bad?
Not at all! Dogs are very social animals however they are also individuals. Not all dogs want to/need to meet on walks and there can be many reasons why.
Shy dogs will benefit a lot from being able to maintain distance and be allowed to slowly approach, at their own comfort. Reactive dogs need more training support but not being allowed to meet if the setup isn't ideal will prevent an unwanted scenario from taking place.
Overly excited dogs may benefit more from an open (safe & controlled) environment where they can let their energy out first, before being expected to meet or not meet other dogs on walks calmly.
How can I make grooming more fun for my dog?
The groomer needs to be a regular staple of their routine! So, to the best you can, try bringing your pup for visits to the doggie grooming salon every day, if possible.
If not, break down the steps your groomer would take and practice those at home! Such as touching your dog's paws here and there, touching him with towels, hair & nail trimmers as well as a blow dryer.
Do all the above occasionally but daily, and more importantly between fun games and tasty snacks to make it something your dog looks forward to!
Need to burn some pent up energy fast?
(Click on image) One of the quickest and most fun ways for dogs to burn physical energy is through their prey drive!
Though there are many ways to use this type of toy, a Flirt Pole makes for an easy and on-the-go tool that your dog will love!
When should I start crate training my puppy?
The sooner the better! Crate training should first start as an engaging activity (snuffling, hiding food, hiding toys inside) to get your pup feeling curious and interested in spending time there.
Furthermore make sure that your pup's crate is something they get to access when they're tired. Once your pup is comfortable being in and around your crate without it being closed, you can keep it closed while they're not inside, so that you open it only when they're feeling tired/in need of rest.
Saving the crate for when they're actually tired will help create that association and interest in the crate, as it will feel even more special, and just right!
What should I do if my puppy has an accident?
The best thing you can do is move on from it! Chances are it could have either been prevented (by us) in some way and/or your puppy just couldn't hold it in anymore.
Whether it was because they were waiting too long, or we forgot to take them out, or they've been drinking too much water, or even purely out of excitement.
Much like with a baby, toddler or child who has an accident, the best thing you can do is not get frustrated, accept that it happens and move on from it. Don't let that be something that gets in the way of your relationship with your pup! Plus, chances are that your pup won't understand why you're not happy with them to begin with.
So instead focus all your attention on when your pup DOES pee outside or on their designated pee pad. If you're finding there's an abnormal amount of accidents, begin by better monitoring your pup's water intake and reaching out to your vet to rule out a UTI.
Why is my puppy barking all the time?
Some pups are more vocal than others, but whenever you're feeling frustrated with a behaviour your puppy is doing and you don't understand exactly why, chances are your pup is feeling exactly the same.
This is when you can go back to basics and ensure that your pup has had a chance to burn both mental and physical energy. This is oftentimes the most common reason for a pup barking often, which leads to them getting your attention which leads to doing something.
Separation anxiety would be next on the list of reasons, but this one is partly due to the amount of time and space you're taking away from your pup which may be too much for them, but also particularly difficult if they've been left with a lot of mental/physical energy that they don't know what else to do with.
Why does my dog bury things?
Dogs love to! It's a common dog method to save an item for later use and a great way to burn some mental and physical energy.
Why does my dog prefer treats?
Aside from their taste and that they come by more rarely than their kibble, a lot of pet parents use treats when they'd like their dog to accomplish something in particular which is in itself very rewarding for dogs. This is why dogs prefer treats and often lose interest over their kibble, all due to how we present both to dogs.
Why does my dog eat grass outside?
If your vet has found no health issues, grass eating can be attributing to the taste of grass as well as boredom.
Why does my dog keep licking me?
To show you their affection and trust, grow your bond while licking is also a calming and relaxing activity dogs do for themselves and one another.
Why does my dog keep staring at me?
They love you! But it's also a way that they're letting you know that they're likely up for a fun game, activity or walk with you. Giving attention to a dog that's staring at you is definitely better than a dog that's jumping, barking, biting, nipping.
Why won't my dog share his toys?
Aside of it possibly being an object that is particularly special for them, your dog may be trying to get a game started that way and/or trying to let you know that they'd like to be provided with fun activities for their brain & body to focus on instead.
Why does my dog only eat in the evening?
Dogs can be picky eater and especially when they are generally exerting little energy throughout the day, which doesn't help develop their appetite.
Most commonly however, dogs will eat during the evening because they've not been presented with accomplishment-related opportunities where they use both their brain and body to find, scavenge and enjoy getting each piece of their meal!
In short, make sure you provide ongoing opportunities for enrichment to build on your dog's appetite and they'll be more likely to want to eat throughout the day.
When is my puppy ready for off-leash training?
If you're just starting to wonder, chances are your pup is not ready yet. Off-leash training requires a lot of effort and a pup that has an easy and fun time choosing you over all distractions around them.
Most pups are ready to begin off-leash training around 4-5 months. By then, you want to make sure that you've tested the waters in safe and controlled environments, where you can easily redirect your pup should he get distracted and lose focus in the exercise.
Always add to the mix a long leash for extra safety and to ensure that when you call or need your pup to come to you that it happens, as you use that leash to more easily guide and encourage your pup to choose to come to you, in a fun way that they'll want to repeat no matter what.
What is the first command I should teach my puppy?
Begin with the command sit! It's a simple command that you can also practice easily by first doing fun games and when your puppy feels relaxed and at ease you will notice they will naturally be more inclined to sit down without you saying a word.
As they start to sit (putting their bum on the floor) say the word Sit and follow with a reward. What this will do is help them understand that when you say the sit command in the future, that they should associate it not only with the action of sitting but also of feeling calm and relaxed.
What commands should I teach my puppy?
Start with the basics and keep your training sessions short.
Begin with sit, down, stay, and come. Do your best to avoid using commands or other verbal cues whenever you dislike a behaviour your puppy is doing, and try redirecting them with a smell/toy instead.
What is clicker training?
A lot of dog trainers and their students will use a dog clicker (a small object that makes a click sound) to help train and condition their dog.
The advantage with using a dog clicker is it makes for a clear marker (a word or sound used to indicate to a dog that something they're doing is desired) of a wanted behaviour right before giving them a reward for that action.
Using a clicker allows you to not have to rely on your dog either being able to hear your verbal cue and its tone because it always makes the same consistent sound, that helps provide more consistent training and conditioning.
The disadvantage with a clicker is that if ever you don't have it with you and you've become fully reliant on it then you will want to make sure you practice with multiple markers like saying "Yes!" by then, and not just the clicker.
When can I start training my puppy?
As soon as you get your pup!
See with your vet and training school as to how soon you can join their group classes but you should be able to either begin private training on your own at home with the basics and/or have a reputable trainer come to you to get you started on the right paw.
Dogs are never too young or too old and puppies are like sponges, learning and taking everything in the moment you bring them home!
Where can I learn about my dog's breed?
1. www.akc.org/dog-breeds 2. Facebook groups. Breed-centric Facebook groups consist of pet parents who live and have experience with your dog's breed.
How do I prepare for my dog’s training sessions?
There's a few ways you can prepare.
Start by leaving part of your dog's meal for the session
Should I crate train my puppy?
If you'd like for your puppy's crate to become the place they go to to rest, take a break, relax, feel food and calm then yes, 100%!
Dogs by nature like to rest and take a break in darker quite areas (you can cover the crate with a blanket) and so long as you don't use the crate as a punishment tool, because your pup has done something you dislike or only when you're leaving them along for longer than they can handle, then there's lots to gain from using a crate!
How often should I work on commands with my puppy?
Unless your pup is sleeping (rest is really important!), doing little 15-20 minute training sessions every few hours is a good start!
If/once you join a group class as your pup gets a little older, you will see they'll be able to handle longer training periods but the most important thing is to pay attention to how they're feeling every second.
You want to make sure that they're in the right mood and not over tired, for best results and ensure training is something your pup always enjoys!
If I neuter/spay my dog will that make him/her calmer?
It's a misconception that neutering/spaying a dog will make them calmer. Most dogs will feel slightly different, more mellow and less active immediately after a treatment or surgery at their vet.
However with time each dog will start behaving and feeling like their old selves again. Instead of relying on this procedure to hopefully calm or relax your dog, look for safe and fun games and activities for them to do on a daily basis. Everything from dog food puzzles, snuffle mats, tug and pull toys to agility training will help ensure you have a calm and relaxed dog at home!
Should I use an e-collar on my dog?
E-collars can be very damaging, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well and can be very detrimental to your relationship with your dog, just like all and other aversive training methods. These types of collars can also instigate other behavioural issues as they are not designed to help you address the root of the issue, but rather suppress it and mask it temporarily.
Instead of any kind of shock collar, consider using either a flat collar or a harness, as well as the support of a positive reinforcement training to instead work on guiding your dog towards success in a fun, encouraging and harm-free way that will ensure your dog never feels any kind of pain or frustration.
Should I use a prong collar on my dog?
Prong collars can be very harmful, not only physically, but mentally as well and can be very detrimental to your relationship with your dog, just like all and other aversive training methods.
Instead of a prong collar, consider using either a flat collar or a harness, as well as the support of a positive reinforcement training to instead work on guiding your dog towards success in a fun, encouraging and harm-free way that will ensure your dog never feels any kind of pain or frustration.
How should I address my dog's growling?
Never confront or try to correct a growling dog. Growling is a common and healthy behaviour among dogs that is used to communicate an important feeling at that time.
Instead, redirect with a scent to help your dog change their mindset and reward that change. Giving space, remaining calm and patient (being quiet helps too!) will help and allow our dogs to slowly change their own emotion for a better one that we can then reinforce with our attention.
How should I correct my dog for bad behaviour?
The best way to correct a dog is by instead letting them know the behaviour that is acceptable and that you're happy to see them repeat.
The moment we try to correct a dog, they are not creating the association to the action that is causing the 'correction' that we think they are, which can cause frustration and confusion for them and us.
Instead, we may without meaning to be reinforcing the behaviour we're not happy with which can cause them to repeat it.
The next time you want to correct a behaviour, ask yourself how you could have prevented it first (Was your dog feeling bored, anxious, afraid, overtired, overexcited?) and do your best to wait until they instead display a behaviour you are happy with and focus on rewarding that.
What is the best leash-walking tool?
Use the Freedom (No Pull) Harness to more easily guide your dog on walks in a harm-free way. Combine this with a lot of patience and positive reinforcement to have both you and your dog feel good about every step you take together.
Use the front clip and/or the back clip depending on your dog's training needs out on walks.
How to introduce a puppy to children?
Make sure your puppy is feeling mellow & relaxed prior to the introduction and during, while rewarding with small but multiples pieces of treats to encourage him/her to remain calm & relaxed. Keep the introduction short but sweet!
How long does it take to housebreak a dog?
About as long as it takes us to fully understand and cater to each pup's limit when and needs, when it comes to potty training and mental/physical stimulation.
When potty training, you want to not only make sure that you're carefully monitoring your pup's daily water intake but also the amount of time between pees.
This will tell you the amount of time their bladder can hold under normal circumstances (abnormal would be if your pup has unlimited access to water) so that you can accordingly take them out after that amount of time is about to pass, or just before, thus preventing indoor accidents.
Keep in mind that pups also should have access to bathroom breaks after sleeping, eating and playing!
How do I stop my dog from eating poop?
First and foremost make sure you take your dog to your vet (and it never hurts to get a second opinion!)
For a dog to not eat their poop they need to have developed great impulse control, and we also need to work with them in a way that their environment is setup for them to succeed. This means that while still training, you nee to avoid as many instances where your dog is able to eat poop, as possible.
Not having our dog repeating an undesired behaviour is always a win! Next you want to practice on those impulse controls. Do so by redirecting their attention little by little when faced with other no-to-harmful temptations indoors like treats and toys.
Once the impulse control skills have improved greatly, you can then put those to the test out on walks where you may want to actively seek out dog poop but practice again redirecting your dog's attention away (walking away is always best at first, as opposed to practicing a command like sit or leave it) and further practice by closing the distance between your dog and the tempting poop!
How much water should my puppy drink?
An ounce per pound is a common ground rule you will hear but you can double check with your vet as well as take into account your dog's daily activities, the weather and the temperature inside your home.
How can I increase my dog's interest in his kibble?
Change how your dog sees their food! The reason dogs love treats is not only the taste but rather how we present each piece to them.
Make use of food puzzles, snuffle mats, fun/challenging new toys and your dog's walks to provide them their kibble, instead of their bowl. Most dogs are not interested in their dog bowls because they don't meet a core need of a dog which is to have to figure out, search, scavenge and hunt for ways to find and get to each bite!
How do I stop my dog from pulling?
Combine patience, walking at the right time (when there are as few distractions as possible), reinforcing the type of walking you're happy with and using harm-free dog walking tools.
Practice walking inside, as well as in and out of your home slowly, using a freedom (no-pull) harness and regular 6ft leash for best results. Keep your walks short and walk further out if when you're happy with the way your dog is walking, while rewarding this wanted behaviour with treats too.
Take your time and don't be afraid to 'rese't by walking back closer to where you started to help your dog feel calm, rewarded for that calm behaviour with treats and with being able to slowly but surely move forward.
How can I stop my dog (adult) from biting?
Similarly to puppies, older dogs can bite out of boredom, being overtired, overstimulated, among other reasons.
You can redirect a bite with a toy, or a strong scent (like chicken, bacon, ham) however if you're worried your dog's behaviour having changed negatively, please consult with a reputable, positive reinforcement trainer so they can properly address the root of the issue, while helping you prevent future bites.
How can I stop my puppy from biting?
Puppies tend to bite out of boredom. Manage their nipping and biting by providing them with a physically or mentally engaging activity. Such as tug & pull toys, balls, as well as snuffle mats and food puzzles, to further prevent their need to bite you to let you know that they're bored.
Combine these with Kongs and other safe chew toys to meet their teething needs as well.
How can I know what my dog is thinking?
Dogs think and make decisions every second! What they are thinking depends on their environment at the time and chances are that if they're looking at you they're thinking "What are we doing next?!".
How to get rid of skunk smell on dog?
Use a commercial de-skunking spray, or if worse comes to worst, combine 3-4 parts hydrogen peroxide to one part of baking soda with a teaspoon of dish detergent, and apply that to the affected area, bing especially careful near the eyes or mouth.
How long are dogs pregnant for?
Female dogs are pregnant for around 62-63 days (or just over 2 months) with each trimester being roughly 21 days in length.
How can I stop by dog from barking?
Start by first considering the root of the issue (most commonly boredom, uncertainty in a social setting, confused, overtired) and guiding them towards a better choice that they can potentially make at that moment, and rewarding them for that decision.
When heading towards a scenario where you know they’re likely to bark, first make sure that they’ve had access to outlets for both their physical and mental energy.
During the scenario, make sure that you’re working on that particular environment with tools that will help you succeed. Such as a leash (a harness), treats to reward good behaviour, patience, taking distance and above all your listening skills! So that you can pickup on changes in your dog’s verbal and non verbal cues, so that you can focus on reinforcing the desired choices your dog makes along the way.
How to get a dog to let go of an object?
Do not chase your dog, instead wait nearby for him to relax as much as possible and presenting them with a strong smell (chicken, bacon, ham) can help.
Once your dog lets go, provide them with something you'd rather they have instead and/or provide them with a reward like a treat and your excitement to let them know that letting go is more enjoyable than not.
How to teach a dog to fetch something?
First practice in a closed space with few distractions. Throw the ball and say "Go get it!" and patiently (and quietly) wait for your dog to bring it back before getting excited, giving them a small treat and throwing it again.
How to introduce my dog to other dogs?
Introduce your dog to others outdoors when both are feeling as relaxed as possible, while on leash at a distance, and walking in the same direction, closing the distance only if both dogs remain relaxed, happy and show signs of comfort.
Need help tackling leash-pulling?
(Click on image) The Freedom (No-Pull) Harness is among the best, safest and most reliable tools to help your dog when training and preventing leash pulling. The front clip is one its key attributes!
Where can I socialize my puppy?
Look for a nearby dog training school. That is the best and safest way to go as they will group puppies accordingly.
Why does my dog have separation anxiety?
Dogs are very social animals, some even more than others. Which makes it so that being left alone can be very challenging at times, especially as young pups.
The 2 most common reasons behind dogs who experience separation anxiety revolve around them being left for longer than they've been capable or handling as well as being left alone, for short or long periods of time, with pent up energy.
This means that if you re-introduce being left alone by working on short periods as well as when they feel the most relaxed and mellow (thanks to healthy outlets to not only their physical but mental energy needs as well) you will then have a better chance at having a dog that will not only be able to handle being alone but also partly enjoy getting to have some alone time to rest!
Do I have to consider my dog’s breed when training?
100% However not in terms of what type of training but rather what type of enrichment activities and exercises you should consider based on your dog's breed.
A common misconception is that a breed is harder to train or raise than others, and although they each have different needs and at different levels, when we first consider training we must think of setting our dogs (regardless of their breed) to be successful thanks to our guidance.
A pug can end up requiring more training than a german shepherd, if we don't provide him with proper guidance, training and what they need as a dog and individual from the start, first and foremost!
If I train with food will I always have to use food?
Absolutely not! However.. as we ourselves get paid for the work and efforts we do, there's no reason our dogs shouldn't get compensated for wanted behaviour.
That said, there are many ways that we reward ourselves and others when we do something we're happy about. Simply feeling accomplished is a reward, but while we're working on shaping a wanted behaviour in a dog, especially a puppy, we can use treats, and sometimes even their kibble (which they will be getting on a daily, anyway) to reinforce desired actions.
Just as well, incorporating food into daily activities and exercises can and will make a healthier, more responsive, fulfilled and obedient pooch!
Does my dog want to dominate me if he walks in front?
Absolutely not!
Chances are that if your dog is walking out in front if you is because they're simply eager and looking forward to get somewhere for one reason or another and/or they've got too much energy at that moment which makes it difficult for them to walk in a more relaxed, at ease manner, whether it's in front of you or not.
Focus more on why your dog may be choosing to walk the way they are, but it's a guarantee that it's not to dominate you and if you'd like your dog to walk different, you can make sure they're getting the opportunity to do so after they're already feeling mellow from fun and engaging activities with you!
Is it good to teach my dog to protect me?
Generally speaking no. This can be a cause of stress for dogs and oftentimes the scenarios where it looks like our dogs are 'protecting' us from something or someone is more likely a case of resource guarding, where the resource they're guarding is you.
Even resource guarding, which is common for dogs and animals (including us) to do for one reason or another isn't a pleasant one. And although the idea of our dogs wanting to protect us and vice versa can be nice, it's best that they play the role of family pet, friend and companion rather than protector.
As there are many complicated human-made scenarios where dogs just aren't well equipped to know and differentiate whether they should respond in one way or another, meaning it's better to take the safer side and have ourselves be the ones to protect them and be there for them!
Should I allow my dog to sleep on my bed?
This is entirely up to your preference! Whether you want your dog to sleep with you on your bed, or their own space (their own bed or crate) make sure that it's something you have them practice from a very young age!
Dogs are a creature of habit and if sleeping on your bed is something that works for them, then they're going to repeat it until something else works better/instead, and it can be your responsibility to get them used to an alternative early on, so that you know you both have options, and as your dog gets a bit older and can understand you preferring one over the other at times.
Be as consistent as possible early on so that you build the habits you want and that your dog is successful with before deciding to make changes!
How can I help my dog to relax after training?
The nose is the key!
Think of it this way: After a long day of work, above we use our eyes and ears to consume content (a movie, music, social media, book reading) that helps decompress and relax.
Just the same, we can help our dogs relax but mainly through their nose, by providing them with puzzles, snuffle mats and exercises for them to snuffle and use their nose in fun way that helps their brain relax. End these exercises with a stuffed Kong for even calmer results!
Need to upgrade your dog's food bowl?
(Click on image) Snuffle mats are 100% of a time a better choice over food bowls!
Not only are they fun for dogs to use and snuffle out every piece, but they also help prevent boredom by allowing your pup to use their excess energy to problem solve using their nose!
What's the best way to train a dog?
Positive reinforcement, fun and force-free (harm-free) methods are the best way to encourage your dog to repeat behaviours that you are happy with because it's rewarding for them to do so, instead of trying to help them understand that they've done something wrong.
Why does my dog not lay on his bed?
Likely out of feeling too hot (especially with longer-haired breeds) or because they're choosing to lay down at a spot closer to something or someone that they'd like to be near to, if their bed is too far from it.
Why is it that dogs wag their tails?
To communicate show how they're feeling there and then! A wagging tail can mean friendliness, happiness, excitement and feeling good about something.
It only gets better with hands-free training!
(Click on image) Using a hands-free/waist leash can help keep your hands free for when you're doing a lot at once with your dog, especially if they're a pup!
You can use it to prevent unwanted behaviours that happen indoors when your pups is free and it's a great tool to introduce on-leash manners indoors as you focus on rewarding every good step!
bottom of page