training
how dogs learn, the three pillars, why we never punish.
Unwanted Behaviors & How to Stop Them
Understanding your dog's behaviors and being able to interpret their body language is crucial for effective communication and fostering a strong bond. Dogs…
Training Foundations
Good training isn't about control. It's about connection.
How Dogs Actually Learn
Dogs learn through association and consequence, they repeat behaviors that feel good and avoid behaviors that produce no result. Positive reinforcement…
The Three Pillars of a Well-Balanced Dog
The Three Pillars of a Well-Balanced Dog
What Is Positive Reinforcement Training?
Positive reinforcement training means rewarding the behaviors you want to see more of. When your dog does something right, sits when asked, walks nicely on…
Why We Don't Use Punishment
Why We Don't Use Punishment
Fear-Free Training: What It Means
Fear-free training, a philosophy formalized by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and now widely adopted across the veterinary and training communities, goes…
The Most Important Things to Know
Before you start training, whether you're working with a new puppy or a ten-year-old rescue, keep these principles…
Focus First: The Power of Eye Contact
One of the most important, and most underused, foundations of training is attention. Before your dog can learn anything from you, they need to be tuned in…
Being Your Dogs Advocate
Being your dog's best advocate is essential for ensuring their health, safety, and overall well-being. As their guardian, you are responsible for making…
When to Work with a Professional Trainer
You don't have to do this alone, and for some challenges, working with a professional makes an enormous difference. Consider consulting a trainer if your dog…
Before You Train: Rule Out Health Issues
Here's something that doesn't get talked about nearly enough: behavior problems are sometimes health problems in disguise. Pain, discomfort, hormonal…
Building Skills
Every dog has the capacity to learn. Every dog wants to communicate with the people they love. And every dog thrives when given the tools to navigate the…
Basic Obedience: The Foundation Commands
Every relationship has a language. When it comes to you and your dog, the language of basic obedience is how you keep them safe, give them structure, and…
Dog Buttons & Communication
You may have seen the videos, a dog padding across the floor, deliberately pressing a button, and a word plays back in a recorded human voice. "Outside."…
Understanding Your Dog
Dogs are constantly communicating, we just have to learn how to listen.
Reading Your Dog
Your dog is talking to you right now. They've been talking to you since the moment you met. The question isn't whether they communicate, it's whether we're…
Why Does My Dog Do This?
The Zoomies
Addressing Challenges
Every dog has moments. Whether your pup struggles with anxiety, reactivity, or behaviors you'd rather they didn't have, know that you're not alone, and that…
Reactive Dog Training
What Reactivity Actually Is
Separation Anxiety
What Separation Anxiety Is, and What It Isn't
Stress & Anxiety
Anxiety in dogs is more common than most people realize, and more varied than most people expect. It's not always the dog who shakes at the vet or hides…
Unwanted Behaviors & How to Stop Them
Your dog isn't being bad. That's the first thing we want to say. Jumping, barking, counter-surfing, pulling on leash, chewing the remote, these behaviors are…
Stress & Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can take a toll on both you and your dog, impacting their overall well-being and quality of life. However, there are numerous strategies…
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most heartbreaking things a dog owner can experience, coming home to a destroyed house, a neighbor's complaint about…
Living Well Together
Training doesn't stop at commands, it extends into every part of your life together. These pages cover the social side of dog ownership: introducing your dog…
Dog Etiquette
On-Leash Greetings
New Introductions
Introductions are some of the highest-stakes moments in a dog's social life. Done well, they can build relationships that enrich your dog's world for years.…
Helping Your Dog Feel Welcome & Loved
Creating a Safe Space That's Truly Theirs
Collars, Leads & Harnesses
friends don't let friends use retractable leashes!
ESAs vs. Real Service Animals
Misrepresenting a pet as a service or emotional support animal by obtaining fake paperwork is not only dishonest but also disrespectful to individuals with…
Healthy Play
Healthy dog play is characterized by joy, engagement, and mutual respect between dogs, promoting physical exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization.…
How To Be The Best Dog Parent Ever
Having a dog as a best friend brings boundless joy and unconditional love into our lives. Their wagging tails and joyful barks brighten our days, offering…
Helping Your Dog Feel Welcome & Loved
Understanding your dog's behaviors and being able to interpret their body language is crucial for effective communication and fostering a strong bond. Dogs…