by ffdt | Oct 16, 2023 | Training, Behavior, Puppies
Puppies are great! Adorable little sponges that (typically) want to be near you instead of venturing far away, learn new behaviors fairly quickly, recall pretty well, and seem to learn so much in those first few precious months home. And then they hit 6 months and...
by ffdt | Sep 12, 2023 | Training, Top 5 reasons to...
Crate training isn’t just about keeping your dog confined—it’s a game-changer for potty training, safety, and emergencies. It helps puppies avoid accidents and saves your favorite shoes from chewers. Plus, it prepares your dog for vet visits or unexpected disasters....
by ffdt | Jan 27, 2020 | Training, Leash Walking
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 to stand perfectly still and reward their dog for paws...
by ffdt | Jul 15, 2018 | Training, Behavior
Most owners who contact me about this protocol are desperate—ready to rehome their dogs because this behavior has become so problematic. These cases typically involve: Adult dogs (2+ years) who never learned indoors isn’t a toilet Shelter-raised puppies denied...
by ffdt | Apr 23, 2018 | Training, Behavior
One of my favorite techniques for working with reactive dogs is the simple yet effective “Engage-Disengage” method. It’s a game-changer for helping dogs learn to manage their reactions to triggers in a positive, stress-free way. Before diving...
by ffdt | Jan 15, 2018 | Training
Training your dog doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it’s all about clear communication, consistent rewards, and understanding your pup’s needs. In this post, we’ll share six tips to help you build better behaviors, from rewarding quickly and often to using high-value...