Written by Christine Durrant, Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Care Consultant

I get it, dog training may not be your favorite hobby or pastime. It can be frustrating and time consuming. Especially when you are using dog training methods that you don't understand or feel good about. If you don't have confidence in your training skills or your dog's ability, they will know. But, I assure you that when you understand how to train your dog properly, everything changes and the time and effort is well worth it. Not to mention, it won't feel like work! The only real requirement is patience - for your dog and yourself.

There are so many benefits to training your dog and it doesn't have to feel like a huge undertaking. Keep in mind, that every time you are with your dog is an opportunity to train them. If you look at it with a positive mindset and, make it fun and rewarding, it will feel much less like a task and more like a time to bond and learn with your dog. It's a partnership and just like any relationship, needs commitment and nurturing.

There are MANY methods people us to train dogs. I choose and (highly recommend) using positive reinforcement dog training for several reasons. Mainly, it is based on how dogs LEARN, not by forcing them to perform like a circus animal. I can teach a dog anything by simply rewarding them for doing what right and either ignoring or removing them if they are being "naughty". Timing is crucial but all things are possible with this method of dog training. I rarely correct a dog's behavior - it's much more powerful to teach them instead of simply demanding they stop doing something. I may interrupt a dog's barking so that I can help them learn it is undesirable but I don't punish them for doing something that is a natural dog behavior. 

I would never recommend using an e-collar (shock collar with a new name) because this gives the trainer more power than they deserve. It takes away from the learning process and starts a "I'm the boss and you need to do what I say" mentality. Dogs deserve better than being shocked and I have yet to work with a dog that did not respond to positive reinforcement training so I am rightfully set in my ways. I can't help but think "if you can train a dog without harm, why wouldn't you"?

“The following is based on my own experience and education. I choose to train dogs from a place of kindness and understanding, above all else. While I understand other training methods are in use and can be effective, I believe in training the whole dog – body, mind and spirit. This ensures there are no “side effects” such as suppressed feelings, fear or an increase in problematic behaviors. This process is about change, which takes time, and is by far the most healthy form of training I know of and this is what I believe in. I encourage you to take the time to learn about your dog and enjoy the process.”
 
Leash reactivity is a common issue and it’s important to look at this problem from the dog’s point of view in order to treat it or, better yet, ensure it never begins. If you are looking for help to teach your dog to stop reacting to other dogs, people or even children while on leash, you can use the same method described below but do note that you should not approach another dog, person or child until you are 100% sure it is safe to do so. This article addresses leash reactivity, not leash aggression. If your dog is NOT aggressive off leash but turns into a nut on leash, this is the article for you. If your dog is aggressive on and off leash, please start with your veterinarian and consider consulting a behaviorist and a reputable positive reinforcement or force-free dog trainer. Aggression needs to be treated carefully, by the right people, to ensure it does not get worse. I will discuss reactivity in this article.

When working with people to teach their dogs to stop pulling on leash, one question that comes up a lot is whether or not a dog should be in the heel position.

The answer is simply up to you and you also have the option of teaching both. You can teach your dog loose leash walking (or, in other words, not to pull you down the street) and/or you can teach them to walk by your side.

I personally don’t mind if my dog is ahead of me, as long as he’s not pulling. I think the walk is as much for him as it is for me and I want him to be free to sniff and move around. Others prefer their dog be by their side - which would involve teaching the heel command. Either way, I highly encourage you to commit to training your dog, including teaching your dog to stop pulling on leash (and the good news is that you DON’T need a choke, shock or prong collar to do so)!

​Did you know that our DualMax dog collar was specifically designed to help people teach their dogs to stop pulling on leash? It's super comfortable and includes FREE training videos! (It is also included in all of our product training packages).

If your dog suddenly starts having accidents in the home, it’s important to FIRST rule out any underlying medical issue. Please seek the advice of your veterinarian before considering these tips. 
 
Below are the top five reasons a once house trained dog may soil in the house:

1.    They aren’t getting enough access to outdoors. Ask yourself: Have I been taking my pet outdoors  as often as I used to? For adult dogs, every very few hours, or every 2 for young pups (even less for very young puppies) PLUS 10-20 minutes after meal times? (If they are getting enough access to outdoors, your timing may be off or it may be something else). Be sure you provide plenty of opportunities for your dog to succeed in going outdoors if you want them to reverse this new behavior. It’s important to reverse it as soon as possible!

2.     They are stressed or upset. Have there been recent changes to their environment? Pets are very sensitive to change and sometimes we may not realize how much a small change can affect them. Some things may include: Adding a new pet to your home, having a baby, someone moving in or out, starting a new job that requires you to be away for longer periods of time, a rainy or snowy day, etc. These changes can create stress in pets and they may start doing things that are “out of the norm” in response – which can include soiling in the house. They need extra support during these times (see “3” next).​

​Every time we interact with our pets we can come from a place of understanding (love) or from impatience/anger (fear). In return, we instill the same in them. Do you want your dog to stop jumping on people by using force (knee to the chest) or, by teaching them to sit when asked instead? I can tell you that the knee to the chest might work temporarily by stunning or scaring them (although it will confuse the dog) but it may also create a fear of knees, legs, feet and people. In contrast, asking for a sit teaches your dog impulse control and manners. The choices you make in how you train your dog can have long lasting implications so I urge you to choose carefully. My motto is “Reward the good, ignore the bad”. You will get more of what you reward and less of what you don’t want if you ignore it. If it’s something you can’t ignore, teach your dog what to do instead.

​Written by Christine Durrant, Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Care Consultant

Does your dog jump, bark and rush to the door when company arrives at your home? If so, you may consider taking the time to teach your dog a replacement behavior. This means deciding what you’d like them to do instead. The best place to start is to teach your dog to sit, then to stay. That way, you can have them sitting nicely while your guests enter your home. The time you spend training now will last a lifetime.
 
Next, it’s important to determine WHY your dog is reacting. If your dog is simply excited; follow the steps below. If your dog is afraid or nervous, you’re going to want to change their mindset from fear to excitement. Basically, turn the arrival of guests into a party instead of a dread. Remember, it takes time and patience to help your dog change their feelings about people, especially if they have had bad experiences in the past.

Written by Christine Durrant, Professional Dog Trainer and Pet Care Consultant

​Barking is a natural behavior for dogs, for some breeds more than others. However, barking can be quite irritating. Below are some training tips and information that will help you to teach your dog to stop barking. 

It’s important to remember that anytime your dog is doing something that is undesirable, you should offer them a “replacement” behavior. In this article we will be teaching you how to replace your dog’s barking with being quiet.
Equally important is to NEVER use a command (in this case quiet) unless you are sure your dog knows the meaning and will successfully complete the request. This takes time and patience but, I assure you, it’s worth it.