Tips

Handler Presence

This is a term in the dog training world for why your dog trains well with a trainer, but not with you.

I have a professional relationship with your dog. I hold them to every command and have consistent rewards and consequences 100% of the time.

Blew me off on the recall? Not on my watch. Correction.

Went into a down while it appeared I was sidetracked talking to a neighbor? No way. I see everything. Reward.

It may seem like nitpicking, but if you aren’t doing the homework at home, it will be evident. Dogs are opportunists and will take advantage of any situation they can.

Your bond with your dog is something I will never share with them and I don’t expect you to switch over to a professional-only relationship with them. But if you can hold a bit more discipline, you will find that they will end up listening better to you, than me, as training progresses.

Accountability

Send me photos and videos! I’m not kidding. The simple act of recording yourself and sending them to me, despite how well - or not well - training is going, will keep training fresh in your mind and an easy habit to maintain.

I also love to see your dogs, your excitement for training, and your progress.

As I tell everyone, my phone is always on silent, so never hesitate to send them, even if it is at 3am.

Holidays

The holidays inevitably come with a certain level of stress. For you and for your dog. With the household a bit more chaotic than usual, more time spent indoors, and many unknown faces gathered ‘round, this time of year is the number one time for not only barking, jumping, and other overwhelming behaviors to become more apparent, but also serves as the perfect storm for bites. As a result, it also is the number one time of year for surrendering and rehoming.

Avoid escalations by setting your dog (and YOU) up for success:

• Train during the winter, so you are ready for increased distractions in the warmer months.

• The colder months have fewer distractions. Less people, dogs, and wildlife allow you to focus more on the foundations rather than avoiding triggers.

• More time indoors and less time training can cause behaviors to worsen or regress. Our dogs always need training, not just when it’s convenient.

• As soon as it gets cold, human activities are limited, which means more free time to spend on training.