Puppy Talk

Most owners think their dog is being stubborn, ignoring them, or choosing not to listen. But in many cases, the dog is not being disobedient at all. The dog is confused. In this episode of Puppy Talk, we will discuss the following:

• Why confusion happens
• What confusion looks like in real life
• What real disobedience actually looks like
• How to reduce confusion

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If your dog barks, lunges, freezes, growls, or completely loses their mind when they see another dog or person on leash, this episode is for you. In this episode, I will talk about:

• What leash reactivity actually is
• Why leash reactivity happens
• How owners accidentally reinforce leash reactivity
• What not to do with a leash reactive dog
• What to do instead
• Why calming exercises must start at home
• Introducing triggers the right way
• Setting...

Most of us focus on the cute parts of bringing home a puppy. Cuddling, playing, and taking lots of photos. What if we focused on the habits that prevent behavior issues from forming?

This episode is taken from an Instagram post of Canyon Creek Aussies. Link to their page in the show notes. https://www.instagram.com/canyoncreekaussies?igsh=MXJxYW5uaHgxbDd3YQ==

Here are some habits to begin day one with your new puppy. 

1. Use a house ...

Dog training is about more than teaching sit and stay. In this episode of Puppy Talk, we break down what real dog training actually looks like in everyday life. We talk about why commands alone fall short, how understanding your dog changes everything, and the simple tools families need to create calmer, more confident dogs at home. If training feels frustrating or confusing, this episode will help reframe what really works.

Episode...

I’ve done several episodes recently on the responsibility of raising a puppy. The main thing to remember once you take ownership of a puppy is that they need obedience training, and you have to practice with them. Follow the guidelines below to improve your practice sessions and the predictability of the puppy's learning of obedience skills.

1. Daily practice is essential. Practicing once in a while will not work. 
2. You have to ...

People call me to discuss puppy training, and their entire focus is on potty training. This happens a lot. The goal of this episode is to shift new puppy owners' focus to the bigger picture of raising a puppy beyond potty training and crate training.

A dog trainer can only provide tips on potty training, crate training, play biting, and other issues because we don’t live with the dog. Most of the unwanted behavior stems from th...

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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