You may be wondering, do dogs get bored? The answer is YES!  Without proper play, stimulation and exercise, dogs can easily become bored, especially the higher energy working breeds like border collies.  Dogs that are bored often show signs or find destructive ways to entertain themselves. When our golden lab Cookie was bored inside in winter, she would chew on the basement wall and stairs and sofa. When Kilo gets bored, and wants to play, he comes and paws at me or jumps on me or nips and whines. If home alone, he sometimes empties the recycling all over the floor or climbs like a ..read more

Dog Training Basics When you get a puppy or adopt a rescue like I did, one of the first things you will probably ask is how to teach your dog to sit. “Sit” the one of the most fundamental of all dog tricks as it forms the base for many more. Plus a reliable sit on command is a very useful obedience behaviour to establish early. I am not a professional trainer but I have worked with the best and I can share how I very easily taught even a slightly older impulsive rescue dog like my Kilo the Pug, using reward-based positive training methods. Kilo is VERY food motivated so treats are his favori ..read more

I recently attended Global Pet Expo was thrilled to see my talented friend, author, trainer, and fellow film maker and passionate rescue advocate Larry Kay of Positively Woof. He was there promoting his newest book he co-wrote with trainer, rescue advocate and performer Chris Perondi:  “The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever“.   Susan and Larry I filmed a quick interview and got a signed copy with 118 tricks to review. The Approach: Positive Dog Training. “Trick training is best when it’s rewarding and fun. Positive reinforcement dog training means that we praise and reward o ..read more

We have been lucky to work with some of the most talented trick dogs and trainers in the world while filming our TV series and working on the Talent Hounds Blog, YouTube Channel and live events. Here is a video of some of the amazing dogs performing in a Canadian Pet Expo Talent Hounds Show. Kilo the Pug was two years old and only really knew “Sit” when I started fostering him. He had some behavioural issues which needed work. I found that teaching Kilo easy tricks (and more challenging ones) gave him mental and physical exercise and was a great positive way to bond with him and help correct ..read more

When you get a puppy or adopt a rescue, you will probably want to teach them basic obedience ASAP. Basic Obedience Training When I started fostering 2 year-old impulsive Kilo the Pug, one of the first things I searched for was “how to teach your dog to come “. Benefits of a Strong Recall Safety, Confidence and Trust – that your dog will always come when called. This helps get your dog’s attention to avoid dangerous or stressful situations for example your dog won’t bolt out into traffic or after dogs or people if a door is open, or if they do get out they will come back to you before a m ..read more

Brandon McMillan Training Products from Petmate  Petmate teamed up with gorgeous and charming celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan, host of the Emmy award-winning Lucky Dog show on CBS TV, to debut a new line of dog training aids and products from his book, Lucky Dog Lessons. I was thrilled to receive a signed copy of the book dedicated to Kilo the Rescue Pug last year at Global Pet Expo. We need all the help we can get so Kilo is one Lucky Dog(see the story of how I rescued Kilo here)! I also got to interview him about his fabulous new training ..read more

WIN WIN : Learn Some New Tricks and Win Great Prizes Kilo the Pug LOVES treats and training with me so with Halloween around the corner, it seemed like the perfect time to learn some Tricks for Treats and to give everyone the opportunity to win some major treats. Kilo’s trick is shake a paw and see how to teach it below. Join 20 awesome dog loving bloggers for 10 days of dog tricks, fabulous dog treats, and OVER $850 worth of fun and prizes!Thank you Kol’s Notes and Beagles and Bargains for hosting this year’s Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop. Several of the wond ..read more

Before I started researching for Talent Hounds, I thought crates looked like cages and I was dubious about the benefits. I only used them to travel with my big dogs. However today, I believe Crate Training is very important when getting a new puppy or even an older rescue dog. With the right crate, training and care, a dog’s crate can become one of their favorite places to sleep or take a break. It is a safe area where they can relax and not get into trouble if you can not supervise them or if they feel anxious. It can also be helpful in toilet training as most dogs do not like to soi ..read more

Today we wanted to share some of the best dog trainers we know who use positive reinforcement techniques to train dogs. From amazing tricks to correcting even the most stubborn of behaviors, these talented specialists bring out the best in dogs and inspire us. I have loved watching their videos and tips online, reading their books and meeting and consulting with many of them in person. I have learned so much from them since I adopted my rescue Kilo the Pug who came with quite a few issues and had not had much socialization or training. He now loves training for treats and my approval and can d ..read more

Important For Kids: How To Interact Safely With Dogs We all love dogs and when we’re out and about and see a real cutie, it’s easy to forget that not all dogs are sociable. Kilo the Pug looks little and sweet (as most pugs are) but he panics if he sees a stranger’s hand coming from above towards him. He is especially afraid of certain men and could snap. Whether it’s your own dog someone else wants to pet or one you see in the park, it’s important to understand how to interact safely. This means knowing what warning signs to look out for to recognize aggressive or defensive behavior that ..read more