Every dog owner's worst nightmare. ⁣⁣⁣ You're greeting your friends at the door when all of a sudden... ⁣⁣⁣

“Dominate,” “Command,” and “Obey” are NOT words I use as a dog trainer to teach a long down stay.  Instead, I opt for words like “Partner,” “Engage,” and “Cue.” Why? I teach you how to get your dog on your team so you can relax together. 

You got your pup hoping to go on many family adventures together. ⁣⁣ Now, all you can do is wrap the leash around your hands when walking by a neighbour, holding your pup for dear life. ⁣⁣

Is Arousal a Good Thing?  It is! It's important to have the correct level of arousal for a situation. I teach my dogs to read the room and respond accordingly. Here are some examples of different arousal levels: If I am at home watching Netflix, I prefer my dogs to be calm, sleeping, or chewing a bone. If I am participating in a high-energy dog sport, such as flyball, I may want my dogs to exhibit excessive arousal, barking and jumping in excitement while awaiting their turn. If I am in ...

You've tried everything to stop counter-surfing:

• Saying OFF or GET DOWN loudly
• Pulling them off the counter
• Telling them to sit

You were looking forward to all the off-leash hikes with your new dog. And you were excited about exploring all that nature offers with your friend and partner. But then, I hear this…

Often my clients will perceive food only by giving their dogs meals and through positive reinforcement. For example, “If my dog sits, I will give them a cookie.”  Yes! But you can use food in training in many other creative ways! 

There are three primary reasons why dogs bark. Most often, it’s a combination:

• Fear
• Frustration
• Over-arousal