How to Pad Train a Puppy – Puppy Pad Training 101

Getting a puppy is an exciting time. You’ve got this new, adorable family member who will grow into a fluffy couch potato, a gentle giant, or a crazy playmate you can take on runs. But no matter what kind of dog your puppy grows into, learning how to pad train is one of the first …

The Benefits of Platform Training

In dog training, there are many different types of tools that can be used to help make your goals more attainable, but in over 25 years of professionally training animals, I can think of no better tool in my toolbox than platform training. By using this simple idea of elevation, you can help not just …

Bite Inhibition Training: How to Train Your Dog Not to Bite

Everyone loves puppies. They’re cute, cuddly, and fun to wrestle with. That is, until those tiny puppy teeth come out. As much as most people don’t want to deal with a bitey puppy, the reality is that all puppies use their jaws during play. Like house training, bite training just one of those things you …

Ultimate Guide to Dog Whistle Training (Plus our Favorite Whistles)

When we first brought our Alaskan shepherd, Eira, home last November, I jumped into training her right away. She was sweet, cuddly, and extremely loud — a problem for my son with sensory processing special needs — so I figured I could train her early. It was essential to get her well trained before she …

Dog Training Series: How to Help Your Nervous / Anxious Dog Overcome Fears

If you have a dog that is plagued with stress due to fears and anxieties, you might feel like the process of training him or her in the beginning, seems like a daunting task. Their fears, just like us, hold them back from doing things that your neighbor’s or friend’s dogs seem to do without …

Cues, Markers, Release Words: Essential Tools for Training Success

When you think of positive reinforcement training, what comes to mind? If you’re like most people, you probably said treats. Lots of yummy, high-value treats. While it’s true that rewards (whether they are treats, toys, or praise) are a huge piece of training, they aren’t the only “tools” you’ll need. Your dog looks to you …

Why Punishment Should be Avoided When Training Your Dog

The dog training world can be a passionate and widely divisive one.   Broadly speaking, there are two main types of training. Those that rely on using force-free, positive reinforcement techniques, and those that rely on aversives techniques and punishment (sometimes used alongside some positive training too admittedly). In this article, we hope to help you …

What is Target Training and Why Can It Be Useful?

Target training, sometimes also referred to as a ‘hand touch’, or ‘hand target’, or just as a “touch”, is something that might initially seem like an odd thing to teach your dog, but it can actually have a lot of really useful practical applications.  Generally, most trainers recommend starting by teaching your dog to touch …

What You Need to Get Started in Dog Agility Training

Are you looking for an amazing activity that you can do with your favorite canine? Agility training is a great way to build a stronger dog between you and your dog, plus it’s fabulous exercise, great for solving behavioral problems, and a whole lot of fun. You don’t need to be an expert dog handler …

How to Choose the Best Training Treat Pouch

We are advocates of positive dog training techniques.  Teaching your dog using force-free, scientific and positive methods has been shown to be much more effective and kinder than harsh and aversive techniques and it also helps to create a stronger, happier and more trusting relationship between you and your dog. Food rewards can be great …

Mastering Crate Training: How to Crate Train Your Dog

Crate training can be a contentious issue in the world of dog behaviour and training.  Some people will be aghast if they see a crate in your home, exclaiming that it is cruel to imprison your dog in one! Crate training is NOT cruel – when done properly! If crate training is introduced carefully and …

20 Dog Training Books Every Dog Owner Should Read

Looking for the best dog training books? Sometimes it can be really useful to have a handy point of reference from a respected source that you can use to help build up your dog training and behaviour knowledge, or it could be that you have a specific skill that you want to work on or …

Best Dog Training Equipment Reviewed

Looking for the best dog training equipment? Even if you have the most well-behaved dog on the planet, it can benefit them to have some basic training.  Not only can it be great brain food, helping them to stay stimulated and entertained, but it can also greatly increase the bond between you and your dog. …

Living with a Blind Dog: 12 Tips to Help with Training and Safety

It is a sad fact that dogs in rescue that are blind or have severe sight issues, like deaf dogs, usually have a much harder time being adopted. Don’t forget that humans may rely on our vision more than any of our other scents but dogs are very different, smell is their primary sense and …

Living With a Deaf Dog: 15 Tips to Help With Training and Safety

My Cocker Spaniel, Daisy, had chronic ear problems when she was still a relatively young dog.  Whilst we were eventually able to get this under control it left her with slight deafness. As she got older her hearing lessened until by the time she was around ten or eleven she had complete hearing loss. Whilst …

11 Husky Training Tips You Should Know

There are a ton of articles that give you some extraordinary Siberian Husky training tips when it comes to Huskies or dogs in general. A lot of these articles are geared towards a certain aspect of what it means to train your husky. As a long-time Siberian husky owner and lover, myself, I have scoured …

House Training a Puppy: 14 Ways to Get it Right

Toilet training or house training a puppy is something that a lot of new dog owners can get frustrated with.  It is not pleasant to come into a room and discover that your new puppy or rescue dog has had an accident on your brand new rug.  Apart from the obvious of not giving your …

Clicker Training 101: How to Use a Clicker to Train Your Dog

In this ultimate clicker training guide we will teach you how to use a clicker to train your dog. This simple but powerful training tool is very effective. What is a Clicker? A clicker is a small hand-held tool, commonly used for training dogs.  It allows you to clearly mark a desired behaviour offered by …

Best Dog Training Treats

Dogs are usually highly food motivated, so using dog training treats to reward a desired behavior is the most common option. We always advocate the use of positive reinforcement as the best technique for training your dog.  Not only is it scientifically proven to be the most effective method, but it also ensures you have …

7 Common Dog Training Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Training your dog to behave and follow commands isn’t always an easy task. No one is a perfect trainer, and you will certainly make some mistakes along the way. Here are seven common dog training mistakes you’re probably making and how to fix them. The Importance of Proper Dog Training The difference between a dog …

How To Safely Introduce Two Dogs?

Are you planning to buy a new dog, or have you brought one? You may think that introducing two dogs is not a big deal, that you just need to introduce the two dogs to each other, and they will automatically become friends. But that is entirely not the case when it comes to introducing …

Do Dogs Get Tired of Barking? Here’s What We Know

It’s a nice, quiet day. You’re relaxing, working from home, or watching funny videos. Suddenly your dog starts barking. You may think it’s no big deal and ignore them. Surely they’ll stop in a minute, right? But they don’t. They bark, and bark, and bark… and eventually you’ll lose your patience. So you might be …

Do Dogs Like Kisses? Here’s What We Know

We love our dogs. So naturally, we love showering them with affection, which may mean kissing them. Some of us smooch them on the head, the nose, or the face. For some of us, it’s as natural as tail wags are to them. But do our companions actually like this gesture? Of course, we want …

How Often Do Puppies Poop? When Should I Be Concerned?

Puppies need to go to the bathroom a lot. If you have a new puppy, you’ve probably already noticed that they pee every few hours. They also need to poop a lot more than adults. The average puppy needs to eliminate about five times a day, usually thirty minutes after each meal. Puppies do not …

My Dog Wakes Up Too Early? 8 Causes and What to Do

You finally get a day to sleep in a little, and you’re just hoping to get a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, you and your dog have different ideas about sleeping in. Instead of waking up at 8:00 AM, your companion is telling you to wake up at 6:30 AM. If this has happened to you, …

Dog Refuses To Walk: 7 Reasons and What to Do

It’s frustrating when you’re out walking your dog and they just suddenly stop. Maybe they’re trying to head in a different direction, they don’t want to go home yet, or they’re just not used to walking on a lease yet. They could also be in pain, uncomfortable, or scared of something. The weather can also …

15 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds

Dog breeds are often seen as good-natured and loyal creatures who unconditionally accept their masters. However, many stubborn dogs with complex characters challenge their owners and cause them to abandon the training process. These dogs have a reputation for being difficult, aggressive, and moody. Every dog has an independent personality. Some like their freedom, some …

Are German Shepherds Aggressive?

German Shepherds have a lot of loyal fans, and their ever-growing popularity led to them receiving a famous acronym — the GSD! They’re a favorite among many pet owners and are widely referred to as “guard dogs.” They are known for their exceptional strength and courage, which is why many people — including police departments …

My Puppy Won’t Pee Outside? Causes and What to Do

Potty training a puppy can be a frustrating experience with many setbacks. It’s easy to get angry when things go wrong and your puppy is peeing on your fancy carpet, no matter how hard you try to train them to go outside. A range of things can cause a puppy to refuse to go outside, …

How To Stop Dog Aggression Towards Other Dogs

We are not going to lie; dog-to-dog aggression can be a bit embarrassing, especially when strolling around the park or having a friendly neighborhood talk. It showcases a lack of discipline and, yes, can be a bit reflective of the owner’s training. But, we all know that a friendly dog suddenly showing aggression has nothing …

World’s 20 Laziest Low Energy Dog Breeds

Every dog breed needs exercise, and some love a daily stroll around the park. As social and charismatic as they are, they shouldn’t be left alone for too long. They deserve care, affection, and, yes, a daily run in the neighborhood. But, like humans, some dog breeds like to spend their time more on the …

20 Most Affectionate Dog Breeds That Love Cuddling

Dogs are affectionate, kind, and loving pets who go to extreme lengths to elaborate on their feelings for their owners. They love spending time with us, greet us every time we enter our home after a tiring day at work, and, yes, cuddle us when we are feeling low. Like humans, dogs also crave the …

Why is My Puppy Peeing a Lot? When Should I Be Concerned?

Puppies pee. A lot. It’s a fact of puppyhood and something you just have to push through. It’s usually not something to worry about, even if they need to go every other hour. Depending on how much they’re running around or how much they’re eating, drinking, or sleeping, they may just need to go often. …

20 Best Dogs For Anxiety

We all have suffered from anxiety at some point in our lives. It’s so common nowadays that around 40 million adults are suffering from it in the US alone. While a little bit is good for you and keeps you motivated in your tasks, if it goes out of control and affects your daily life, …

How To Make a Muscular Pitbull – A Step-By-Step Guide

Pitbulls are muscular and aggressive dogs. They are among the most beautiful muscular dog breeds and often appear intimidating. Many dog owners keep them as guard dogs due to their excellent hunting and fighting prowess. They are wary of strangers and can easily break a bone in two using their strong jaws. To maintain this …

How Long Will a Puppy Cry At Night – Sleeping Tips For Puppies

So, you got a new cute puppy, and all the while it was with you, it was completely fine. But as soon as you put it to bed at night, you hear your cute fido crying a few hours later. You are not the first owner to experience it and obviously won’t be the last. …

Why is My Dog Barking at Night? How to Address Late Night Barking

Dogs bark. It’s part of life for a dog parent and it’s usually just a natural form of communication for them. They don’t realize it may be annoying to others and they have no understanding of how loud they can get. That said, the last thing you want to deal with when you’re trying to …

25 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds

There are so many things to consider before adding a puppy to your family. Things like would you be able to give it the time it needs? What about its diet? What about its personality and temperaments? What about its health needs? And the list goes on and on. If you are a new owner …

Why is My Dog Scared of Me? Causes and What to Do

It can be heartbreaking when your dog seems to be scared of you. Whether it’s a dog you just got or one you’ve had for a while already, it can be saddening and a bit worrisome when they’re scared of you. It can make you question whether you’re fit to be a pet owner or …

Why Do Dogs Scratch Carpet – How Do I Stop Them?

So you have bought a puppy thinking, oh well, at least my carpets are safe from being ripped apart (unless it was a cat). But, you suddenly discover that it wasn’t true, and your fido is scratching its nails into it. The carpet is done for, and you are now in big trouble. This behavior …

Why Is My Dog Biting Tail Base – What Causes It? 

Dogs have a unique way of expressing themselves and addressing their issues in adorable ways. A dog playing with its tail seems adorable, but what if they start chewing it? They can’t talk nor intelligently express themselves. So what do they do in case there is something wrong? They start barking, licking, or chewing the …

Are Huskies Aggressive? Get to Know When They Can Be 

Huskies are a beautiful, elegant, and intelligent breed. Their large size and elegant looks attract every dog owner. The black and white fur with those glaring eyes is a sight to behold. Most dog owners often assume it as aggressive due to its large size and wolf-like features. But is that true? Are huskies aggressive? …

Tri-Color Pitbull Dog Breed Information

A rare and excitingly beautiful breed, a tri color pitbull is gaining fame unremarkably fast. With varying color patterns, it is no doubt that they are gaining so popularity among dog owners. Almost all major Pitbull breeds like American Pitbull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers reproduce puppies in more than two hues …

Why Do Dogs Lay on Your Feet? What Does It Mean?

If you’ve lived with a dog for a while, you’ve probably noticed that many of them tend to plop down next to or on your feet. Most dogs I’ve lived with have done it, usually with their favorite person. Some will just plop down on top of you, making it difficult to move. Others are …

150+ Game Of Thrones Dog Names For Your Domesticated Direwolf

Game of Thrones is one of the most popular television shows of recent years. Having aired from 2011 until 2019, it ran for eight seasons totaling 73 episodes. A spin-off prequel – House of the Dragon – is set to begin airing in 2022 and an as-yet-untitled Jon Snow-led sequel series has recently been announced …

How Long Do Dogs Remember People?

A long time ago, my family adopted a dog that a family friend couldn’t keep anymore. Her family was heartbroken, but they were moving and couldn’t take her with them. They had her for years, and they naturally made a lot of memories together. Years later, that same family was visiting town and wanted to …

300 Superhero Dog Names That Really Pack A Punch

Superheroes have been a staple of popular culture for almost a century now, with the likes of the Phantom, Superman and Batman all making their debuts in print back in the 1930s. These days, they’re amongst the most popular characters in all of fiction, with superhero movies being the toast of Hollywood, an abundance of …