Puppy Survival Guide
Rachel and Shanthi run the puppy training and socialization course at NWA School for Dogs. Here are the most commonly asked questions and their answers. Potty Training Understanding puppy development -what can they do by what age Physical development of the muscles...
What is clicker training
What is clicker training? “Clicker training” is the popular term for the training or teaching method based on what we know about how living organisms learn. Research has shown that any creature—whether a dog, cat, dolphin, parrot, fish, horse, llama, or person—is more...
Leash Foundations
*This was written many years ago when the school was at a facility with cement floors that we could use sidewalk chalk on. Nowadays, our high tech waterproof floors don't work with chalk so we ask our students stand perfectly still and reward their dog for paws being...
Lockdown!! A detailed protocol for potty training difficult dogs.
“Lockdown” Protocol for housebreaking adult/problematic dogs. Most people that contact me regarding this protocol are at the point where they’re ready to get rid of their dogs because this behavior has become so problematic. Most dogs are over 2 years old and have...
Engage Disengage
One of my favorite techniques for working with reactive dogs is this lovely, easy to follow, technique called "Engage-Disengage". I generally recommend starting reactive dogs with classical conditioning when they are around the stimuli that causes an...
Training tips
1,000 clicks Reward quickly and often! Dogs will offer behaviors that are highly rewarded. If you reward your dog for sitting in front of you every time they want attention, they'll sit instead of jump on you! I say it's 1,000 clicks to emphasize the high rate of...
My groomer saved my dog.
My old girl is turning 12 in August. She gets around but has arthritis in her paws which make it very uncomfortable for her nails to be cut with traditional nail clippers. Hannah Manesreh, with Lucky Dog Canine Grooming, gently takes care of Stregas paws in a manner...
It’s Fireworks season!
I know July 4th is seven weeks away but it is a FAST approaching holiday that terrorizes animals all over the United States. Every year, dogs get spooked and lost on the Fourth of July. Here are some tips to prepare you and your dog for one of the more traumatic...
Hit the trails!
Hiking season is upon us! We're all coming out of hibernation to enjoy the paved and off road trails all around the region. For many of our dogs, it's a time to get out and explore with their owners. Keep in mind they've been cooped up, like us, all winter long and...
Rainy Day Games
"EEGADS it's raining!! We can't go outside we may DIE" - Strega & Henry That seems to be the tone for all dogs this morning. So I wanted to share with you some things we do in our home to manage the cabin fever on really rainy days. For potty walks, grab that...