My dog Dixie has been diagnosed with heart disease after a routine checkup before teeth cleaning. They found a heart murmur, then, from an X-ray, found an enlarged heart and congestion in her lungs. I have created a GoFundMe account link in the show notes with more details. 

Start-Up Fees:

• Including adoption or breeder fees, initial vet visit, microchip, supplies, and training. 
• $2000-$8000

Monthly Expenses:

• Food 
• Medication...

Many people underestimate the level of responsibility needed to raise a puppy. Listen to my first episode of Puppy Talk called Owning a New Puppy is a Lot of Work. 

The Truth:

1. Raising a young puppy starting at 8 weeks old is a part-time job.
2. Hiring a dog trainer may not help. It’s not the solution.
3. You have to do the work yourself, with the help of a coach.

The Myths:

1. Puppies only need affection and play
2. Teaching your puppy t...

Being an effective leader and building trust in your dog requires a skill set grounded in effective communication, temperament, and focus. 

What to do:

1. Make sure your communication is crystal clear. Trim the fat. Tell the dog what you want and reward them for doing it.
2. Set your dog up for success. Make it impossible for them to fail and let them have fun in the process.
3. Stay focused on “teaching” the dog what you want them to learn...

Building structure for your puppy in one of the best things you can do to help raise a happy, healthy, and obedient puppy.  In this episode of Puppy Talk I discuss the why and how of puppy structure. 

Why?

1. Structure creates calmness in the puppy.
2. Structure creates an opportunity for the puppy to succeed, not fail
3. Structure helps you, the puppy owner, have more control over the puppy’s behavior, obedience, and discipline.

How?

For dog owners:

1. Always keep your dog on a leash. Listen to podcast episode 118. 
2. Never allow your dog to bark or lunge at another dog or people. Create distance immediately if this happens.
3. Work with a trainer to prevent rectivity. Teach sit, wait, “watch-me” as alternative behaviors to reacting to stimuli. 

For parents of children:

1. Never allow your child to pet a dog unless the dog is on a leash and calm.
2. Never have your ch...

Embarking on a career as a dog trainer may seem daunting. With vast knowledge to acquire and numerous pathways to explore, it can be challenging. Yet, by breaking it down into straightforward steps, the journey becomes manageable. In this episode, I will guide you through the essentials of starting out, from enhancing your expertise to establishing yourself as a reliable professional in your community.

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The Most Important Command to Teach Your Puppy is the "stay" command. This will help you control the puppies space in the house, prevent them from jumping, and prevent them from running away. In this episode, I explain why the "stay" command is so important and how to program the command into your puppy.

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Puppy Socialization is the most important thing to teach your puppy from the ages of 8 to 16 weeks old. Everything that your puppy is exposed to during this time period will have a significant impact on preventing fear, anxiety, and stress in the future.

1. Start socializing your puppy early.
2. Take them to as many places as possible
3. Be consistent with public outings.   

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You may be wondering what is best for your dog, whether you should keep them on or off the leash. Here are some reasons that you'll want to consider keeping your best friend on-leash and living their best life.

1. Your dog stays safe
2. Others stay safe
3. In most places, it's the law
4. In case of emergency
5. It's the responsible thing to do

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Many people get confused when it comes to defining dog training. This episode should clear that up for you. Here is what we will cover today:

• Obedience Training, also known as dog training, involves teaching basic commands such as sit, down, and stay. 
• Obedience training is what most people refer to when discussing dog training.
• Although dog training is used by almost everyone across a broad spectrum, including veterinarians and d...

You’ve witnessed your dog's transformation through our basic obedience program, where they mastered essential commands and established a solid foundation. So, what's the next step for the truly devoted dog and owner? The answer is found in the engaging and effective realm of advanced group obedience training.

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Most behavior problems in adult dogs stem from fear or anxiety that started early and went unaddressed. Here are some tips to help prevent Fear, Anxiety, and Stress in your puppy:

1. Early Socialization
2. Create a Secure Environment
3. Reading Body Language
4. Building Confidence Through Training
5. Avoiding Common Mistakes That Cause FAS

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Seasoned dog owners might feel like they have been through it all with one pup, and thus, they can tackle any challenge that comes their way. Don't let that fool you. Experience with one dog at a time is much different than juggling two or more. That being said, how do you know when the time is right to add a second pup to the family? Is it even a good idea to do so?

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A study from the National Library of Medicine shows that overweight dogs are more likely to engage in unwanted behaviors.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5468744/

How to prevent dogs from getting overweight

1. Plenty of exercise 
2. Plenty of enrichment and mental stimulation. 
3. Monitor their food intake. 
4. No Snacking. 

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In this episode, I discuss how to set your puppy up for success by making better decisions to replace unwanted behaviors. 

• Stop directing them
• Allow them to decide independently - use leash training for this.
• Do the chair exercise.
• Praise them subtly when they make a good decision
• Target training, light agility training, and dog puzzles.
• Give them a chance to succeed.

The chair exercise: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDK-H52SBgm...

Dogs and cats are not naturally inclined to fight; that idea is a myth. Both animals can tolerate each other and even get along very well. However, you need to understand how their minds work.

1. It's the personality that matters, not the breed
2. Consider getting a puppy and a kitten together
3. Help your dog with some training
4. Give your cat his own private space
5. Keep your dog away from the litter box
6. Make sure there is no competition o...

Here are three reasons why you never want to repeat commands to your puppy:

1. The puppy loses respect for you as a leader
2. The puppy gets confused and checks out
3. You’re programming the number of times you say the command

Say the command once, and allow the puppy enough time to do it. 

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RESOURCES:
Po...

Choosing the perfect dog breed for you and your family can be challenging.  It is even more of a challenge when you live in an apartment or do not have a yard and must consider space. Five breeds that not only survive but thrive in an apartment lifestyle include: 

1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
2. Bulldog
3. Poodle
4. Greyhounds
5. Great Dane

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It is essential to select the right dog trainer. Various options include in-home private lessons, classes, or board-and-train. Here are eight reasons why in-home training can lead to better and lasting results.

1. Personalized Attention
2. Familiar Environment
3. Owner Involvement
4. Faster Progress
5. Flexible Scheduling
6. Addressing Specific Issues
7. Longer-Lasting Results
8. Building Trust and Communication
   
   

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