We need to start letting our dogs be dogs — For many of us (I hope the majority), our pets are part of the family. We care for them as much as we do for our children. Many dogs I know have better lifestyles than I have. …

Practicing safe encounters with dogs can help us encourage puppy social skills. — Meeting a dog for the first time can be the most exciting event of any day. But having to ignore him because he is a working dog, is in training, or is too excited feels like a mortal sin for any pet lover. I frequently encounter dog owners coming to…

Take the first steps with a loose leash. — We already learned about focus, and today we will use that to help our dogs learn to walk with us. First, let's hold the leash on one hand without wrapping it around the hand. An excellent way to hold it is with the handle over your thumb. …

Share with us how you Count Your Blessings — Ravyne Hawke's Prompt. — The wife of one of my clients told me he had passed away. He was in his mid-twenties and had ambulatory surgery to remove a little mass from his body. The surgery was a success, and his wife was told to wait for him to be discharged. “During the recovery…

Teaching our dogs to sit is the foundation for good manners. — Sit is one of the most popular commands in the pet parent community, and for most dogs is the first command they learn. Why is “sit” so important? By teaching our dogs to sit, we encourage a more focused and calm state of mind which will help us communicate better and build the foundation for…

Your dog won't obey if they are not focused on you. — Attention or focus We want to encourage our dogs to see us as the source of all their rewards. The goal is for your dog to ask for treats by looking at you instead of jumping or barking. Scenario 1 Let your dog look around with his eyes, wait until he looks at you, and…

A boundaries lesson from my father. — After some crazy busy months, I have finally managed to have time to relax a little, reading, writing, and spending time with my family. I went out with my father, and while we talked about life, work and responsibilities, he told me a very powerful phrase. “What we allow becomes…

Start by building the communication tools. — Training a dog is one of the most exciting and satisfactory experiences we can enjoy. The time we spend on training help us coexist and strengthen our bond with our pet. Today we are going to start building our communication tools. Tools Your dog’s favorite treats. Leash. Clicker (or a voice…

Introducing our new dog training tips series. — Getting a new puppy can be a significant source of stress and confusion, especially for first-time dog owners. Adopting a new pet implies new expenses, new skills to learn, and a huge but very rewarding responsibility. Training starts when we decide to adopt a pet, we train ourselves on how…