Big News: Shanthi Earns IAABC Certification!
At School for Dogs, we’re committed to providing the highest standard of dog training – which is why we’re thrilled to announce that our founder and lead trainer, Shanthi Fernando, has officially earned her certification as an IAABC Certified Behaviorist through the...
Puppy Training Rules?
As a trainer, there are a lot of recommendations I give my clients - especially with puppies - to make their life a little easier. The real question is, what puppy training rules do I ignore when it comes to my personal dogs and why (I might just be slightly...
Top 6 Tips for Crate Training Your New Puppy
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure, but let’s be honest—it can also be a little overwhelming! One of the biggest challenges for many new puppy parents is crate training. How do you make your pup feel safe and comfortable in their new space without all...
The Monster in the Room: Dog Reactivity Explained
Story time with Shanthi, kiddos. Got another one for you. Question: "How do I get my dog to stop barking at (insert thing here like cars, people, dogs)? I scold them for it and tell them to ignore it but they won’t stop." So many dogs struggle with dog reactivity,...
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: Looking for the Good
As humans, we tend to be predisposed to looking for “bad” things" as a side effect of living in a punitive society. If someone steals your wallet, you’re going to notice right away and want them punished for doing something morally wrong. Whereas if you leave your...
Dog Training: Intuition or Protocols?
I had two separate clients talking about playing fetch with their dogs today. They both have the issue that their dog won’t let the ball go or let them get it to throw again. Both dogs also have an issue with being easily aroused (read that however you want...
First Week with a New Puppy
As a trainer I’ve done my fair share of work with young puppies - whether it’s raising them for myself and other people or helping clients with their new pups. I just brought home a new puppy and he’s given me the perfect opportunity to really discuss puppy raising in...
Dog’s Don’t Want To Bite: Understanding and Helping Reactive Dogs
An Interesting, But Not Unique, Encounter While picking up lunch, someone saw my logo’d jacket and asked if I worked at the School for Dogs. “Why yes I do!” I replied. “What kind of training do you do?” he asked. “Well, mostly just manners,” I replied. “So no bad...
Holiday Travel Tips for Your Dog
With the Holiday Season comes a lot of traveling. Whether it’s to visit family, friends, or you’re just taking a little vacation time, If you’re opting to bring your pup along, here are some of our top holiday travel tips for your dog! First, let’s talk about car...
Dog Training Cues: Helping Your Dog Understand What You Want
So, you’re working on training your dog, and you’ve heard the word “cue” thrown around a lot. But what exactly is a cue, and how do you use it to help your dog understand what you’re asking? Think of a cue as your dog’s “lightbulb moment”—it’s the signal that tells...