If you didn’t know that puppies have needle-sharp teeth before you brought them home, I’m going to guess it didn’t take very long before you figured that out. Puppies bite. A lot. You’ve probably got a few good scratches on your hands. Perhaps you have lost some hairs to your little piranha. Maybe they’ve added a cool distressed look to some of your t-shirts. There’s no doubt that puppy biting can be painful and annoying. This article will give you some practical advice on how to handle puppy biting. It will also cover some things NOT to do when your puppy bites you. What to Do When Your ..read more

You’ve finally brought your puppy home. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of this day for weeks, months, or even years. And now your new furry companion is a reality. Things aren’t quite what you imagined though. Perhaps you imagined you’d feel an instant bond with your puppy, but you don’t. Or your puppy is actually a lot more work than you thought they’d be. That leaves you feeling frustrated. You feel bad even thinking it, but you don’t feel a connection with your puppy. At times, you aren’t sure if you like them at all. This is normal! Nothing is wrong with you for not feeling an instant bond wi ..read more

Want to raise your puppy to be an awesome adventure sidekick? Do you dream of enjoyable outdoor adventures, road trips, or public outings with a confident, well-behaved pup? Strategically socializing your puppy is the most important thing you can do to prepare them for a lifetime of fun adventures together. I’ve put together this list of 10 important socialization experiences to help you get a practical sense of how to raise a well-adjusted adventure pup. Socialization is Key to Raising an Awesome Adventure Puppy Before we get into which socialization experiences to consider for your puppy ..read more

You’ve got a puppy (or you’re getting one soon) and you dream of a life full of fun adventures, including weekend getaways, road trips and vacation rental stays. Enjoying an Airbnb or VRBO is just better with the company of your dog, especially when they’re a well-adjusted and polite guest. Not only is it possible to bring your young puppy along with you to a vacation rental property, but it’s actually an ideal opportunity to prepare them for an active, harmonious lifestyle together. With some planning, you can make an Airbnb stay with your pup a valuable educational opportunity that can h ..read more

When you get a new puppy, there are so many things you need to teach them. Where to potty, what to chew, to come when you call them, and on and on. You might be wondering if crate training should be a priority. Is it worth it?   Crate training does have a lot of benefits. From safety to your own mental health, here are 8 ways that crate training can make your life easier.   1. Keeps your home safe from your puppy.   In case you didn’t already know, puppies have special destructive powers. They can turn the corner of your rug into a pile of shreds in just a couple minutes. T ..read more

I’m so excited to share an amazing LIMITED TIME OFFER in partnership with The Puddle Pet AquaFitness & Nutrition in South Elgin!   If you enroll your puppy in my Peak Puppy Potential Program you’ll receive a free puppy swim lesson package with The Puddle Pet AquaFitness & Nutrition (a $99 value).   The puppy swim lesson package includes FOUR swim lessons to introduce your puppy to swimming in a fun, safe way, with the help of a certified swim instructor in a temperature-controlled, UV-sanitized pool.   These swim lessons offer some excellent benefits to puppies and th ..read more

Are you getting a new puppy? Feeling excited but also a little nervous? There are good reasons for those feelings! Sharing life with a pup can be very fun and fulfilling. Magical, even! It’s so special to build a positive relationship with them and share an active life together. You should be excited! Getting a puppy is also a significant life change. You’re bringing a baby animal to live in your home. They don’t speak your language, they have sharp teeth, and they depend on you for everything. You’re absolutely not crazy for feeling nervous! Hiring a dog trainer before you even brin ..read more

Misconception #1: Training lasts for a period of time and then your puppy is fully trained. “Once our puppy gets trained, I know she’s going to be a great companion.”   “I just need to finish training him and then things will be easier.”   “I’m thinking about sending my puppy off to be trained.”   These are some common things I hear from people with new puppies. They all come from the idea that training is a phase that lasts a set amount of time. And then the puppy knows everything they need to know and will be able to respond reliably to you in any environment for the ..read more

Are you bringing home a puppy soon? Feeling a mix of excitement and overwhelm? That’s normal! A puppy brings a lot of fun and joy, but it’s also a big adjustment. Knowing how to prepare for your puppy before they come home can help take some of the stress out of it, and let you focus on bonding with your puppy. Here are five things you can do before you get your puppy to make their homecoming more enjoyable for both of you. 1. Puppy proof your home. Puppies don’t come home knowing what things are okay to chew and play with, and what are not. Puppy proofing helps prevent your puppy from causing ..read more