Puppies go through a “critical period of socialization” or a “sensitive period” when they’re about 3-16 weeks old. This is where puppy socialization is key. At this time, the brains of young puppies are sponges, absorbing information about what’s safe and good in the world. They’re far less likely to have fearful responses to new experiences while they’re this age. As they leave the critical socialization period, dogs naturally become more “neophobic,” or afraid of new experiences. This is completely normal, but can pose a problem for puppy owners: how do you take advantage of your puppy’s socialization period without…
Even when there are no behavioral issues Most Americans don’t hire dog trainers until things have gotten out of hand with their dogs. Unfortunately, this makes things harder…
Aggressive or reactive behavior is one of the most common dog behavior issues I see in my work as a dog behavior consultant. This is likely due to…
Many people get dogs for their companionship. We love dogs because they’re always happy to keep us company and they cheer us up with their goofy antics. But…
Bringing home a puppy is a time of joy and apprehension! When I brought my new puppy home a few weeks ago, I spent a lot of time…
Being a dog trainer is one of those jobs where everyone has a question to ask or a comment to make. Many professional dog trainers quickly learn to…
Many dogs like jumping up on people. While this may be cute for puppies or small dogs; most people would rather train their dog to stop jumping. This…
Even dog-lovers agree: it’s no fun to have an overly-enthusiastic dog knock groceries or toddlers from your arms when you come into a friend’s home. We love our…
The essential commands every dog needs to know Whether you’ve got a brand-new baby puppy, a newly adopted rescue dog, or a resident dog who could really use…