A hot topic in dog training, reinforcement cues fall into the camp of “train smarter, not harder.”  Reinforcement cues are words or sounds that you use to tell your dog they are correct and give information about how/where the reinforcement will be delivered.   Benefits of Multiple Reinforcement Cues for Stays   Incorporating various reinforcement cues into your training may seem overwhelming initially, but adding one at a time is much easier.  The benefits of multiple reinforcement cues far outweigh the minor inconvenience of teaching them.  Reinforcement cues add cla ..read more

Impulse control is a critical aspect of a well-behaved dog. It involves teaching your dog to think before acting, whether that means waiting patiently for a treat, not jumping on guests, or staying calm in exciting situations. Not only does impulse control make daily life smoother, but it also ensures the safety and happiness of both your dog and those around them.   Why Impulse Control Matters   Safety: A dog with good impulse control is less likely to dart into traffic, jump on strangers, or engage in other potentially dangerous behaviors. Reduced Stress: Dogs who can manage their ..read more

Strategic reward placement in dog training can make a world of difference in the accuracy of your obedience and rally behaviors.  Imagine a typical training session with your dog. Your pup performs the desired behavior, and you promptly reward them. Job done, right? But is it really that simple? Is your reward placement and delivery helping or hindering your training efforts?   A Common Training Scenario: Reward Placement in Dog Training   Consider this scenario: You’re working on halts with your dog, and you hold the treats in your right hand to avoid your dog mugging your left ..read more

One of the best decisions you can make for your new puppy is to enroll them in socialization classes, designed to expose your puppy to various experiences in a controlled, positive environment. Here’s why socialization classes are a must: Building Confidence Puppy socialization classes help your pup become comfortable with different people, dogs, environments, and situations. This exposure is crucial for developing a well-rounded and confident dog. Here’s how these classes can boost your puppy’s confidence: Meeting New Friends: Your puppy will meet other puppies and people, learning that new ..read more

Teaching your dog to down is a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. Down is a foundation behavior that can be incredibly useful in various situations. Positive reinforcement training is highly effective for teaching this behavior. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started. What is Positive Reinforcement Training? Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog for exhibiting desired behaviors. This approach encourages your dog to repeat those behaviors in the future. Rewards can include treats, praise, petting, or playtime. The key is to ensure the reward is something y ..read more

A couple of weeks ago, I did a blog post on an introduction to the pocket hand for heeling.  This week, we’re going to talk about how to use the pocket hand for pivot bowls and heeling forward.   When your dog is comfortable with pocket hand, it’s time to use your new skill on the pivot bowl!   Pocket Hand on the Pivot Bowl   This skill can help you as you transition your dog off the pivot bowl and start to do pivots on the flat.  Watch how I use it to help Excel in this video.     Do you see how he comes in nicely and lines up with my hand without any extra ..read more

When you are doing a rally class with your dog, do you struggle to remember when to have your dog sit in heel versus moving forward?  If yes, you are not alone!  One of the biggest struggles with Rally is remembering all those pesky little rules.   Let’s take a look at the sit versus forward signs that you will find in AKC Rally!   Novice   There are four signs in rally Novice that involve sit or no sit in heel.  They are Call Front Finish Right Forward, Call Front Finish Left Forward, Call Front Finish Right Sit, Call Front Finish Left Sit.  Thankfully, ther ..read more

One useful tool for teaching heeling is the pocket hand.  It works great for helping the dog learn the position and working on rear end movement.  Pocket hand is super versatile and can be used by itself or combined with other heeling methods.  It does a great job helping you train a dog to really understand how to heel.   Like all other prompts, the pocket hand must be faded, but it’s easy to bring back if your dog struggles.  You want to quickly get to the point where you only use it if your dog needs some extra help, and then it goes away again.   Get Comfortab ..read more

Training a dog for heeling is a rewarding but challenging endeavor, and the pivot bowl is an invaluable tool in this process. However, transitioning your canine companion off the pivot bowl can pose its own set of challenges.   Mastering Pivots on the Bowl   Before attempting to transition away from the pivot bowl, it’s crucial to ensure that your dog’s pivots on the bowl are fluent. The dog should seamlessly pivot when you initiate movement, maintaining a consistent heel position throughout the process. This foundation is essential for a successful transition to off-bowl heeling. &n ..read more

One of the best decisions you can make for your new dog is enrolling them in dog training classes. Bringing a dog into your life is a decision filled with boundless joy and companionship. However, along with the love and cuddles comes the responsibility of training your furry friend. While it may seem daunting, enrolling your dog in training classes will benefit you and your dog for years to come. Let’s explore the benefits of attending dog training classes and why they’re essential for you and your canine companion.   Building a Strong Foundation   Dog training classes provide a str ..read more