Frustration hacks 📢
So you listened and realised your dog is also the "Frustrated reactive" type? Here's 10 easy tips to start hacking that problem:
Ps. Overall, the goal is to play GAMES with your dog around their frustrations (such as other dogs).
This way, your dog will start to love being with you MORE than frustratedly wanting to go over *there*.
If you want literally 80+ game ideas to play with your dog to stop their reactivity... comment GAMES to join us inside my video library ❤️
1. Try playing fetch on a leash, outside of a dog park instead of in an empty field
2. Do leash walking drills outside of a dog park
3. Play the look at me game, asking you dog to run to you for eye contact when they see a dog
4. Sometimes, skip the dog park and play outside the front instead!
5. Work on recall at the dog park. This is ESSENTIAL to break their frustration habits!
6. Teach them a new trick around dogs on a quiet day. (My games library has 15+tricks!! Comment GAMES for a link)
7. Work on place training on a mat in public. Too many dogs are busy busy busy in public and never settle!
8. Never let them bark and bark at the end of the lead until the dog goes out of sight... hold them close!!
9. Do the training in places where dogs STAY and play (not come-and-go) like a footpath
10. Train in short 20min bursts daily. Don't do hour long sessions...it's too much!
#reactivedog #doggames #dogtrick #vanlifedogs #dogadventures
Anyone else in their 20s and 30s with a dog who changed their life? 🙋♀️
#30andthriving #dogmom #dogvanlife #dogtravel
Your dog won't play?
Firstly - we absolutely have to fix that! Dogs who play ▶️ in public are dogs who
• are confident
• regulated
• feeling secure
• trusting of you and their surroundings.
Secondly- knowing the above... how *do* you get your dog to play in public?
Well here are my top 5 tips
1. Tug is an AMAZING asset to any dog/human team. If your dog plays tug at home, start building up their capacity to play in the front yard...then the street...then the top of the street!
2. If you have a nose obsessed dog, scent games are a GAME CHANGER!! Put that nose to work for good instead of letting them sniff & pull you down the street
P.S I have an entire module called 'Scent Work' in my online video library: "80+ games to tire your dog without walks"
⭐️If you love having fun with your dog, you need to join us inside!! Comment GAMES for a link 👀 👉
3. If your dog is ball obsessed, get a ball on a long string & start making yourself part of the game instead of just tossing it away from you
4. If your dog isn't very driven to play, start tapping into their instincts a little by doing gentle chase games (they chase YOU) & don't be afraid to entice them with a little food reward!
5. If all else fails and your dog is very unsure about play, make sure to start in very low distractions and use a long line so they have space to move around at their own hesitant space!
Do you play games with your dog in public spaces? Many dog owners tell me they never thought to try it before!! 😁
#dogplay #tuggames #preydrive #dogsports
This science doesn’t lie.
Teenage dog brains are more complicated than teaching a 3-year-old chess. 🎲🐕
They’re in a "use-it-or-lose-it" stage, meaning the habits they form now will stick for life. If they zoom around when overtired instead of resting, that becomes their default behavior—which is why structure matters.
This is why I (and most trainers) strongly recommend:
✔️ Only allowing dogs on furniture when invited.
✔️ Making them get off immediately when asked.
✔️ Doing this often so it becomes normal.
And no, it’s not about dominance—it’s about setting them up for success.👇
✅ Teaches patience & self-control – Waiting for permission to get on the couch teaches impulse control, which helps with staying calm in public, not bolting after distractions, and making better choices.
✅ Prevents pushy behavior – When dogs get free access to furniture, they’re more likely to jump on people, steal food, and ignore boundaries in other areas of life. Teaching respect for space now prevents rude habits later.
✅ Improves sleep quality ⏰️– Your dog needs way more sleep than you realize, and sleeping in your bed disrupts deep rest. Poor sleep leads to more hyperactivity, more frustration, and less ability to settle.
✅ Reduces separation anxiety (helps build independence).
✅ Stops resource guarding (so they don’t ‘claim’ furniture or you or a child!!).
✅ Prevents high-energy dogs from using couches as launch pads. (Yes we've all excused this one as it looks cute 😜)
If your dog is under 2 (or even 3!), make this a strict rule NOW—because the more you teach the easy stuff today, the easier your life will be tomorrow. 💡
COMMENT “COURSE” if you want my full training plan for getting your high-energy teenage dog calm & well-behaved in public! 🐕✨
🔍 #dogtrainingtips #teenagedogs #dogbehavior #highenergydog #puppytraining
Is this your dog 👇
teenage dogs struggle with impulse control—here are 10 real-life examples of where you might see it show up ⬇️
🐶 p.s. teenage dogs thrive in my course, the 30-day game plan to a calmer dog!
we incorporate impulse control through games and daily 20-minute training sessions in public spaces.
if you want a calmer dog, comment GAMEPLAN and i’ll send you the link!
1. 🚪 when you open the door, be mindful that they may start to feel the urge to bolt out straight away.
2. 🧦 stealing socks or things they know you like… and then enjoying the game of having you chase them.
3. 🛋️ starting to jump on guests the second they walk in, when their excitement is at an all-time high.
4. 🚲 chasing birds, bikes, or other dogs, even if they previously used to be a lot calmer, now they pretend like they never hear their name being called.
5. 🐕 they decide to start barking their head off whenever another dog walks past the house.
6. 🎾 whenever you say it's time for walks or bring out the leash, they spin, jump, and go crazy anticipating the exciting walk.
7. 🥩 they can wait for food and be calm in a training session, but they're still counter-surfing and stealing food off plates when you aren't looking.
8. 🐾 they are good on walks in familiar areas, but now every new scent and environment makes them want to pull.
9. 💨 they get the zoomies right after playing, even though they look tired.
10. 🏞️ they used to be great with recall, but now they are always weighing up whether they want to come back or keep playing with the other dogs.
let me know in the comments which impulse control issues you have noticed in your dog! ⬇️
#impulsecontroldogs #teenagedogtraining #highenergydogs #dogtrainingtips #reactivedoghelp
Wait, less obedience? 💭
Look, it's extremely possible you don't really want to be your dog's drill sergeant anyway.
💡I see a lot of dogs come to training with the same issue:
They're a little overwhelmed,
A little hyper,
And very shut down.
They're being asked to "heel" in every new space.
"Sit" infront of distractions.
Stay on "place" whilst dogs run past them.
Or just told "no" so many times they are always on edge incase it comes when they least expect it.
If you want your dog to willingly feel calmer and safer in public with you, we need to flip the script.
🔹️We need to help change how they FEEL🔹️
And we do that very effortlessly by switching out stressful walks or unproductive outings to the same place every day...
With 20min training sessions in public spaces!
(Like the park!)
We incorporate play, mental stimulation, some obedience & rest into your daily training
And you'll see your dog settle, feel confident trusting you and able to handle more tricky or hyperactive situations with ease!!
👏My 30 day program "The 'have a calmer dog in public' game plan" was built on this concept and has proven to help many reactive & teenage dogs majorly settle and feel secure in just a short space of time!
I know you are a proactive dog owner also!!
👉So to check it out, just comment "GAMEPLAN" below and we'll make training fun & productive again for your dog 🤍🤍
#obediencedogtraining #training #dogplay
Better than treats? 👇
Expecting your dog to listen to you just because they “should” want to is a very egotistical way of looking at the world.
And I know that you feel the same way.
You definitely don’t want to have to carry stinky food around in your pocket forever 🤢🐕...
But you also really strongly believe that your dog should feel joy and enthusiasm about listening to you! 🎉🐶
So I’m just here to validate what you already know ⬇️
✔️ YES, you should 100% be throwing a party if your dog comes back to you—especially if they left something really exciting, like chasing a bird! 🦜🐕💨
✔️ YES, they’ll get to do what you asked... but you also need to make it worth it for them.
✔️ YES, there are many ways to reward a dog—it doesn’t just have to be with food! 🍖
Now .. . If you want some help in training your dog without treats becoming a bribery, comment BRIBE for my free guide on how to do this!! 😁
My favorite ways to reward recall?
🐾 Running through a few of my dog’s favorite tricks
🐾 Using a toy for a quick game
🐾 Releasing them back to have more fun again
I have a bunch of recall games inside my mini video library, called "80+ Games to Tire Your Dog Out Without Walks" 🎾🐶
I’d love for you to join us inside!
➡️ Comment GAMES for the link!
#recalltraining #highenergydogs #dogtrainingtips #offleashcontrol #trainwithouttreats
Is it really normal?🤞
Heck yes.
Here's the thing - you are a brilliant, kind, empathetic and adventurous person.
You got a dog.
Your dog has behaviours you didn't expect.
So you held yourself accountable.
But no one told you this - your dog is NOT a direct reflection of your loving and dedicated personality! Your dog is their own unique being..
With unique DNA and ways they want to exist in this world.
So sometimes, their personality won't totally match up with your expectations.
Are they trainable?
100000% yes
👉👉(And if you comment COURSE I'll send you a link to my 30 day game plan to have a much calmer, happier dog in public)
But also - think of having a dog like entering a new relationship.
At first it sounds perfect on every level.
But over time, "cracks" appear.
But its up to you if you see those cracks as bad, or just different to what you expected.
Maybe they're pretty hyperactive around new sounds and people, but you never thought you'd have a dog SO darn loving.
Or maybe they're a real barker & uncertain of new people at home - but they're so attentive & loyal to those they know.
Most behaviours you can't stand, are trainable.
And the rest are just personality quirks.
And none of it is a reflection of you 🥺❤️
#happydog #dogtraining #rescuedog
Why a longline??
- they give your dog more freedom
- they allow you to practise recall whilst walking (use treats!!)
- they help you with leash pulling as it allows your dog more time to make smart choices as you turn the other way when they get ahead of you
- they allow for sniffing time!
- they encourage you to be more present with your dog (you need 2 hands 😜)
Also, 5meters is 15feet if you were wondering.
Do you use a long line with your dog?
Ask me any Qs below 👇👇
#offleash #dogadventures #dogtravel #trainyourdog #dogwalk
Does this sound like your dog? 👇
🔹️ tearing up mail, shoes, or anything that smells like you
🔸️ stealing items they know will get a reaction
🔹️ bringing you random objects just to get you to interact
🔸️ pestering other dogs in the house for entertainment
🔹️ guessing commands in training sessions instead of waiting for cues
here’s the thing— a bored dog brain is a dangerous thing!
they crave stimulation and find their own fun if they can’t get it.
🐶 problem-solving is a skill that you and your dog can work on together to get them using their brain in creative ways.
🎾 my favourite way to handle problem solving is to come up with a very strange and unusual task that you want your dog to learn... that is not actually helpful in any way except that it creates a fun training game for you both.😂
🐾 it's called "shaping games" and basically you think of a trick and then reward your dog for doing anything similar to the trick you are looking for. over time (minutes or days) they will get so comfortable they will eventually learn the trick!
🏆 an example of this in my "80+ games to tire your dog out" mini video course is teaching your dog how to knock over a water bottle or open a drawer.
(If you want to know more, comment GAMES and i will send you the link 😅)
otherwise, think of a fun new trick to teach your dog and start working on it with them today.
#tricktraining
#dogobediencetraining
#impulsecontrolfordogs
#highenergydogs
#offleashtraining
I train high-energy dogs to be calm & fulfilled. get my 7 day happier dog challenge ⬇️
