Dog Training FAQs

Yes, they can! Children not only love to learn about their dogs and how best to communicate with their furry friends, but they also benefit by learning that their dog also has feelings for what they like and don't like. The bulk of training takes place with the adult in the home, but children are encouraged to participate so everyone in the house can help the dog practice good manners. It's not only great for teaching the dog to play nicely with the smaller family members, but it can open a magical world of empathy and compassion for children to see dogs as feeling, caring creatures who just want to give love.

YES! It's important to me to be a responsible business owner, both for myself and my clients. That's why I'm licensed, insured, and bonded, just like many other service providers who may visit your home.

No. Treats or other positive reinforcement such as praise, toys or releasing the dog to let them do something they enjoy are all things we use to help teach a new behavior. Once the dog has normalized the behavior we can then slowly fade out the reward. However, I believe strongly that rewarded behaviors are repeated behaviors, so I still like to give an occasional treat for good behaviors. Honestly, who among us doesn’t love the occasional cookie for doing a good job?

YES! It might seem like your dog isn’t listening, but what’s really happening is your dog hasn’t learned that you are way more interesting than whatever else has them distracted. Have you ever watched a dog compete in agility or professional-level obedience? It can look like magic to see a human and a dog in a complete partnership. But I assure you there’s no magic involved. Getting and keeping your dog’s attention is a learned behavior for both you and your dog. The great news is dogs LOVE positive reinforcement training, and that means you’ll soon become sexier than the squirrel, or the enticing smell that keeps your dog from listening. From day one of our training together, you’ll be laying the groundwork for fast doggy head turns and quick recalls.

In general, smaller dogs complete this phase sooner than larger dogs, but the adolescence period is around 6 months to 2.5 years. Like human teenagers, dogs undergo significant physical and mental development during this time. Knowing this is a phase is essential and can help you navigate it. It doesn’t last forever, but hiring a certified trainer who understands developmental periods and can provide answers will be considerable support.

As dogs transition from puppy to adult, they experience adolescence much like young humans do. Their hormonal changes can leave you wondering if it’s too much to handle. Did you know that 30% to 50% of dogs in shelters are teenagers? As dogs reach sexual maturity, elevated testosterone and estrogen levels can lead to behaviors many dog parents may not have expected or been prepared for. However, this phase does not last forever. With the guidance of a good trainer, you can navigate this stage with insights and strategies that will help you reconnect with your teenage dog, allowing you to reach adulthood while maintaining your sanity successfully.

This is due to changes in brain development that make them more easily distracted and less responsive. It is a temporary phase, but consistent training is essential. I refer to this phase as the “data entry” period. It might feel like you are continuously tossing pennies into a well without ever reaping the rewards of a dog who “listens.” However, it takes time for a dog's biology to navigate this period and emerge on the other side with maturity and training coming together for a more stable dog than you had hoped.

Teenage dogs often struggle with self-control, leading to issues like jumping, barking, chewing, counter surfing, and everything your sweet puppy never used to do. But now your baby T-Rex has taken over. Training exercises that reinforce focus and calmness are always a great way to remind your dog that engaging with you is rewarding and can help you ride out this phase of hormonal shifts in your dog. The important thing is to stay consistent, try your best to set up your environment so your dog can succeed, and approach the challenges as teaching opportunities. Things won’t change overnight, but you will get there sooner than you think.

The old saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is false. Learning is not restricted by age. Remember that the longer a dog has practiced undesirable behaviors, the more creative we might have to be with solutions, and it may take longer to see changes. However, many ways exist to increase the likelihood of successful learning at any age. With some consistent effort and by setting your dog up for success through smaller steps toward the desired skill, you and your dog can make improvements. Plus, you’re likely to discover that your dog gets excited about the opportunity to learn in a rewarding way, especially with their favorite human.

Absolutely! Teaching a dog that it’s rewarding to maintain a loose leash is akin to finally speaking the same language. Most dogs have varying preferences for what makes a good walk. They naturally walk faster than people; they want to sniff everything (as they should), and the world is filled with distractions that can make you second-guess, whether they even realize you're at the other end of the leash. Picture your dog learning a few simple cues that make walking an enjoyable experience. With a tailored training plan, you’ll receive personalized support to unravel the mystery of your dog pulling you down the street.

It’s natural for dogs to get excited when visitors arrive, but barking and jumping can quickly become overwhelming for everyone involved, including your dog. The most crucial step in effecting a change is to practice without guests so your dog isn’t competing with heightened excitement while you're implementing a new visitor routine. Every dog and household is unique, but my preferred approach for managing a polite guest arrival is to teach dogs to lie on their bed until the guest has had time to settle in and the initial excitement has calmed down. Does that sound like a dream scenario? It doesn’t have to be. We can create a training plan that helps you start on the right paw.

Reactive behaviors, such as barking and lunging, can be stressful for you and your dog. These reactions are not signs of a "bad" or "aggressive" dog; they are ways your dog tries to express stress, fear, and discomfort and are meant to keep potential threats at a distance.

To help your dog, it's important to approach these behaviors with empathy and maintain a safe distance from triggers. Being too close reinforces unwanted behaviors. Working with a certified positive reinforcement trainer is crucial in learning the necessary skills, which I refer to as your reactive skill set. We teach you simple and effective strategies to help shift your dog’s focus away from the trigger, helping to build a trusting and understanding partnership. Then, we begin normalizing seeing people or dogs, which in turn continues to lower stress levels.

• Ignoring your dog has feelings. Managing your dog's reactivity requires care, empathy, and love. Understand that your dog cannot simply turn off feelings of anger, fear, or stress. It takes time, understanding, and solution-based education.
• Never punish your dog for reactive behaviors, as it can increase anxiety and fear, worsening the behavior. The dog is doing their best with the skills you’ve taught them. Hiring a certified positive reinforcement trainer to develop a customized plan is crucial.
• Avoid forcing socialization; if your dog is uncomfortable around people or dogs, respect their feelings. Consider exposing them without direct contact and maintaining distance until they develop confidence and trust.
• Ignoring the problem is not an option. Rehearsing unwanted behavior deepens the pattern, and reactivity can escalate dangerously. Do not assume the dog will outgrow it; it likely worsens if untreated. Patience and understanding are essential, as improvement takes time.
• Ignoring dog body language can lead to serious issues. Educate yourself on canine signals to ensure your dog feels safe and secure, and learn to advocate for their needs. Remember, behavior has clues in body language; we need to listen with our eyes.

There can be so many reasons for reactive behaviors. Understanding the dog's history and any trauma can help, but often, this isn’t feasible, or no specific moment stands out. Possibilities include genetic predispositions, lack of socialization as a puppy, a dramatic event, neglect, and frustration from unmet needs. Dogs have feelings and needs that must be addressed.

Have you ever felt extreme anxiety, only to have someone say, “just relax?” Did it help? Likely not; it might have even made you feel worse. You are a sentient being with emotions, and so is your dog. But help and progress is possible. As a certified positive reinforcement trainer, I can help you and your dog move forward together.

That's up to you, but I like to try to maintain one visit per week. This helps to ensure we are progressing the training skills without slipping backwards. However, some clients prefer one visit every two weeks. Training is customizable. Every client has a unique set of requirements whether that's time, finances, availability, or training needs. During our discovery call or initial consultation, we can review what works best for you.

YES! I invite clients to email me questions, photos, or videos in between training visits if they need additional support. I will try my best to respond within 48 hours. I'm part of your training team and want to make sure you're able to move forward with your training.

Yes, they can! Children not only love to learn about their dogs and how best to communicate with their furry friends, but they also benefit by learning that their dog also has feelings for what they like and don't like. The bulk of training takes place with the adult in the home, but children are encouraged to participate so everyone in the house can help the dog practice good manners. It's not only great for teaching the dog to play nicely with the smaller family members, but it can open a magical world of empathy and compassion for children to see dogs as feeling, caring creatures who just want to give love.

YES! It's important to me to be a responsible business owner, both for myself and my clients. That's why I'm licensed, insured, and bonded, just like many other service providers who may visit your home.

No. Treats or other positive reinforcement such as praise, toys or releasing the dog to let them do something they enjoy are all things we use to help teach a new behavior. Once the dog has normalized the behavior we can then slowly fade out the reward. However, I believe strongly that rewarded behaviors are repeated behaviors, so I still like to give an occasional treat for good behaviors. Honestly, who among us doesn’t love the occasional cookie for doing a good job?

This relies on many factors. How long has the dog displayed the behavior? How committed are you to the training? What are the conditions in which the dog displays a behavior? Just like people there is no ‘one size fits all’. I create custom training plans to meet your dog’s individual training conditions and behavioral goals. We then work the steps together to see positive results.