Dog Matters

Dog Matters Dog Matters: Training and Behaviour Solutions shared with plenty of fun. We use balanced training but all kind people who want to learn are welcome.

Dog Matters is owned and run by Tenille Williams, a Certified Dog Trainer. Here at Dog Matters, we teach dogs both yes and no so that training is clear and your dog knows both what you want them to do and what you don't want them to do. If that sounds like a good fit for you, we'd love to have you join us. Dog Matters offers an online community for dog owners everywhere and a training service base

d in Bundaberg, Qld, Australia. Does your dog need some training? Whether it be a behavioural problem or obedience skills, Dog Matters can help. And we come to you. We offer:

In home / private dog training lessons
Puppy training
Online dog training
Online educational blogs and videos

26/11/2024

Why is the "place" command so valuable? It’s a game-changer for managing your dog’s behavior! 🐾 Once mastered, it can help with impulse control and managing distractions. For example, if your dog gets overly excited or barks when visitors arrive, you can redirect them to their "place." It’s a strong, alternative behavior that works wonders!

How to start training:
1️⃣ Use a leash: This helps gently guide your dog back if they step off prematurely.
2️⃣ Lure with treats: Use a high-value treat to guide your dog onto their "place," rewarding them generously for staying.
3️⃣ Mark and reward: Use a clear marker like "Yes!" to reinforce good behavior.
4️⃣ Keep it fun: Make "place" a positive and rewarding experience so your dog loves it!

💡 Pro tip: Ensure your dog knows when it’s okay to leave their "place" with a clear release cue.

In Part 3, we’ll explore how to make this command rock-solid, even with distractions! 🚪🐕

👉 Don’t forget to follow us for more training tips and tricks! ❤️

21/11/2024

The "place" command is one of our absolute favorites! 🐾 But what is it, and why is it so great?

"Place" training teaches your dog to go to a specific spot, like a mat, dog bed, or even better, a raised platform - and stay there until released. A raised surface is ideal because it clearly defines when your pup is on or off their "place," making training easier and more effective.

Our go-to place bed? The Four Legs for Pets Cot! It's durable, sturdy, adjustable, and gives your pup a clear boundary to work with.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll share the step-by-step guide to start "place" training your dog!

👉 Follow us on social media for more tips and training tricks like this. ❤️

05/11/2024

Let’s dive deeper into calming signals! One of the most common ones to watch for is lip-licking - this simple gesture can be a subtle sign that your dog’s feeling uncomfortable. Another sign is “whale eyes,” where their eyes widen, often showing the whites. Other signals include a stiffened body, slow walking, yawning, and even anxious paw-licking. Remember, these actions can sometimes happen for other reasons (like yawning when tired), so it’s all about understanding the context.

Next time your dog is around someone who’s a little too enthusiastic, see if you notice these cues! And remember, stay calm and observe without jumping to conclusions. Sometimes a little bit of stress is just part of learning and social interactions.

If you enjoyed this tip, sign up for our newsletter for more insights and follow us on social for future updates! Let’s help each other be the best friends our dogs could ask for!

31/10/2024

Today, let's talk about "canine calming signals." These are subtle body language cues your dog uses to show they’re feeling a bit unsure or uncomfortable. Maybe it’s the way they look away, lick their lips, or yawn when something feels off. Understanding these signals helps us keep our dogs safe, ensuring they’re not pushed too far past their comfort zones. After all, even a loving pet needs a bit of space sometimes!

Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn more about how to spot these signals and how you can help your dog feel at ease! 💙

25/10/2024

In this second part of the video about the FIRST thing you should teach your puppy to stop pulling on the leash, you'll also notice the food only comes out after the puppy gives that eye contact. If the distraction is bigger, you can up the game by using a surprising, exciting reward to make it even more valuable!

As the owner stops, she naturally swings around to sit in front of him. But now, we're working on a straight sit by his side, something that doesn't come naturally to most dogs.

By teaching her that “sit” can mean sitting next to you, it boosts focus and anticipation for rewards. This was his first attempt at guiding her into that straight sit - great progress for a quick session!

Hope you enjoyed this! Don’t forget to subscribe for more training tips, follow us on Instagram and Youtube, and check out our website for more resources . See you next time!

22/10/2024

Alright first thing you'll notice, this isn’t me! This is one of my amazing clients working with his 19-week-old puppy on leash manners. What he's doing here is rewarding her focus. Every time she looks up, she gets a nice reward - setting the foundation for future training!

By switching hands with the lead, he's teaching her to stay next to him, guiding her where to expect the reward to come from. Watch as she learns to stay by his side, even with distractions.

Stay tuned for more tips on building that all-important focus for your furry friend!

15/10/2024

In this final part, I’m sharing some key tips on how to set up training sessions to prevent your dog from excessive barking—before the barking even starts! It’s all about rewarding calm behavior, being consistent, and setting your dog up for success, even when you're not there.

Make sure to practice these setups, have rewards ready, and avoid letting your dog get stuck in bad habits. You’ve got this!

For more in-depth training resources, check the links in my bio!

12/10/2024

Back with more tips to stop your dog from barking at everything out front! Today, I’m showing you how Chester and Envy stay calm even with all the action outside. By teaching them to go to their 'place' near the window and rewarding them for being quiet, they learn that staying calm is what gets them praise!

This method works wonders for keeping your dog from getting too wound up. Stay tuned for the final part, and don’t forget to check out the links in my bio for our resources to help you train your dog.

09/10/2024

Is your dog barking at everything outside? Here's the first part of my tips to help: Start rewarding your dog for being quiet! Reinforcing their calm behavior teaches them that silence is golden, even before they start barking.

There are two more parts to come, so stay tuned for the full series! Want to dive deeper? Check out the links in my bio for our paid resources to help you train your dog like a pro.

28/09/2024

Who let the dogs out?

26/09/2024

Playful energy of the moment!

When your dog is all energy and you're just trying to get them to chill for 5 seconds! 😂 Ready to turn that frenzy into ...
24/09/2024

When your dog is all energy and you're just trying to get them to chill for 5 seconds! 😂

Ready to turn that frenzy into focus? Comment FOCUS to learn more about transforming your dog into the calm, attentive, and happy companion you’ve been dreaming of!

17/09/2024

Remember when I thought this was the hardest thing I'd ever do? 😂 Oh, how times have changed! Throwback to when my dog training journey was just beginning.

14/09/2024

Recalls at the beach with George! Coming when called should always be the most exciting choice for your dog, so remember to keep it fun! 🤩

Want to set your puppy up for success? Join our Raise The Woof! Puppy Program today and start building a strong foundation for a happy, well-behaved pup! Comment PUPPY to learn more.

11/09/2024

When we first met Benjamin the Labrador, he would pull constantly, lunging and barking at other dogs during walks—making walks far from fun for his owners.

That’s why this clip is so impressive. Benjamin can now focus willingly, finding his owner more interesting than the distractions around him. Great job, team!

If your dog makes walks a challenge, I offer several solutions—from one-on-one lessons (in person or online) to self-paced e-learning. Send a message to find the best fit for you and your dog!

And don’t miss our FREE Reactive Dog Video Series and Workshop: Stop Barking & Lunging at Other Dogs on Walks. Comment CALM to get yours!

08/09/2024

Harvey is doing wonderfully with the escalator! He was initially a bit nervous, but now he's navigating it like a pro.

Transform your dog from frantic to focused with our comprehensive Reactive Dog Training Course! Comment FOCUS to learn more and help your dog become calm, attentive, focused, and happy.

30/08/2024

Creating engagement and handler value with Ella and her owner, Amanda.

Ella is very reactive to other dogs and is hyper-vigilant when out. Her top reward is a tug toy, but she also responds to food.

Amanda's dedication has significantly improved Ella's focus. After this video, we encountered a small dog that ran out barking. I had to step in as a shield to protect Ella while Amanda and Ella retreated.

Please remember to control your dog, even if they’re friendly. Rushing up to say hello can hinder progress, regardless of intention.

28/08/2024

Do you know the top rule for stopping leash pulling?

Here's the key: Never follow your dog when the leash is tight. If you do, pulling is rewarded, and the dog learns that pulling works.

Often, owners unconsciously give more leash or move in the direction the dog wants, reinforcing the pulling behavior. To fix this, teach your dog that a loose leash is the only way forward.

This small change can make a big difference, improving your dog’s behavior and making other training easier. For a step-by-step guide, check out the Frantic To Focused program. Sign up through the link in my bio or DM me for more info. Thanks to Jasmine and Luna for the demo!

Address


Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dog Matters posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dog Matters:

Videos

Shortcuts

  • Address
  • Telephone
  • Alerts
  • Contact The Business
  • Videos
  • Claim ownership or report listing
  • Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?

Share