Dog Training: When to DIY and When to Call in the Pros
When it comes to dog training, there’s a lot you can do yourself. This is why I create so much free content. There are so many owners out there struggling with their happy go lucky (but badly behaved) dogs, and they genuinely just need help with the basics - walking on a leash , coming when called, not jumping on guests, staying in a down. You can easily accomplish most basic obedience with a simple leash and prong collar.
However, there’s a learning curve for everything, and we all know how easily our DIY’s can turn into DI-WHY’s. The last thing I would want is for someone to take on a problem they are not equipped to handle. Dogs are living, breathing creatures, and EVERY dog can bite. If you’re not acutely aware of subtle canine body language, things can go south fast.
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My Dogs Are Fighting...Now What?
Sometimes it takes years for people to get to a point where they need professional help. The trajectory of each case can vary wildly, with age, sex, and number of dogs in the home. Regardless of how long the dogs have been fighting, all dogs in the home (yes, even the older ones) need to go into boot camp mode immediately.
What do I mean by “boot camp mode?” I mean that each dog starts an individual training program, and the owner introduces massive structure. Dogs who have a history of fighting need to coexist only in a very controlled manner, meaning that they are more attentive to their handlers than they are worrying about the other dog. In short: you should be able to reliably get each dog in your pack to do things under heavy distraction before you put the fighting dogs together.
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Puppy 101: A Simple Guide to Raising a Balanced Puppy
If you're the owner of a new puppy, then guess what? Your excuses end here. You made the choice to get the puppy, so there's no sense in complaining about how hard it is. You signed up for this.
But let's not make it harder than it has to be. Most owners struggle with the puppy stage not due to personal failing or inordinately difficult dogs. They struggle due to lack of information.
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Good is Like Thank You
The most important gift we can give our dogs is clear communication. And clear communication means matching our tone and energy to the message we want to send.
I get it: you are your dog's biggest fan. Perhaps your dog appears in your Facebook profile picture or has his own Instagram. Maybe you've written your dog actual love letters. You LIKE enacting the daily drama of "Who's a good boy?" (the world may never know!!). If you're a dog person, then you love your dog - simple.
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