Pack Instinct dog training, rehabilitation, walking

28/08/2025

I had a great consultation yesterday with this wonderful little girl named Chloe. She is a Maltipoo and only three and a half months old. She is her owner's first dog, and she reached out to me because she wants to do everything right in raising her puppy. She was eager to learn what she should be doing at this stage.

I quickly noticed that Chloe is clever and confident. Her toilet training is progressing well, and I'd estimate she is about 70% house-trained, which is relatively uncommon for a puppy her age. Her owner has been diligent in taking her outside to the grass multiple times a day and plans to add a "go toilet" command.

We worked on basic obedience commands so I could teach her owner how to handle them with Chloe. She's already beginning to fade out the lure for a few commands. As I mentioned, Chloe is a quick learner, which is typical for a poodle mix!

Her owner will also start focusing on leash skills to prepare for taking Chloe for longer walks when the time comes.

Crate training is new for Chloe, but her owner plans to use the crate daily, after tiring her out, and at bedtime. That will provide Chloe with a safe space when needed and help her feel comfortable in the crate.

Overall, they are off to a fantastic start! I am confident that Chloe will grow into a great dog if they keep it up.

26/08/2025

When is the best time to start training your puppy?

Puppies are learning all the time, from the moment their eyes open in the morning until they go to sleep at night. They constantly take in information from their environment and their owners. Therefore, it’s essential to recognise that you are constantly training your dog, as they are continually learning.

That is why I believe it’s essential for owners to learn how to raise a balanced dog before bringing one home. If you’ve had a puppy for a couple of months and are wondering when the best time to start training is, you’ve already been training without realising it. Very young puppies, around 2 to 3 months old, might be too young to venture out into the world for training. Still, they can certainly learn basic obedience commands as well as the concepts of rules, boundaries, and limitations.

So, when people ask when the best time to start training is, I like to remind them that training has already begun, often without their knowledge. Understanding this can completely change how you approach raising your puppy in those first few months, which ultimately shapes them into the dogs they will become.

22/08/2025

Avoiding dog bites is simpler than many people think, but it involves being present in the moment and observing the dog in front of me. In this post, I want to share the key signs I look for whenever I enter a dog's personal space.

Many people believe that a dog's tail and ears convey their body language, but I get more information by observing a dog's mouth. For instance, when a dog is panting with its mouth open and tongue out, it indicates that the dog is content and not feeling any perceived pressure. They are also not overly alert or focused on anything specific.

If a dog becomes alert, they will typically close their mouths and direct their attention toward the source of their alertness. This behaviour can also occur if someone tries to handle them in a way they are uncertain about. When a dog starts licking its lips, it shows discomfort with the current situation. That is a crucial sign to pay attention to, as in my experience, it's often present just before a bite occurs.

In situations where I'm handling a dog—such as grooming, putting on a leash, or applying a muzzle—it's essential to be mindful of how the dog feels about my actions. I pay close attention to these three specific signals: panting, transitioning from panting to a closed mouth, and then moving from a closed mouth to lip licking. This sequence represents the dog's changing emotional state.

It's usually when people overlook these signals or are unfamiliar with them that they end up getting bitten. While there are many aspects of dog body language to consider, these particular signals have worked well for me. Keeping an eye on them is essential, and I hope this information is helpful to you as well.

21/08/2025

Getting any dog to walk nicely requires using the right tools, developing your skills with those tools, working on your communication, understanding the rules of the walk, and being consistent with those rules.

The right tool can vary depending on the dog, but a good general rule of thumb is that the higher you place the equipment on the dog's neck, the more control you will have, whereas the lower the equipment is placed, the more power the dog will have. That is why harnesses can be effective for pulling and tracking; they allow (and encourage) the dog to pull with full force when needed and provide easy access to the ground for tracking.

When I work with a dog owner to stop their dog from pulling, I typically start with a slip leash. That allows me to communicate easily with the dog. By "communicate," I mean guiding the dog into the position I want them to be in, which in this case is by my side. The leash should only go tight for a moment when you want to communicate with the dog. That may involve slight pressure if the dog breaks position and needs to return to your side or if you change direction and want the dog to follow you. I would pair that with a "let's go" command.

It's okay to give your dog freedom during the walk, but you should establish a release command to use when needed. By saying "break" when you want to give your dog freedom and "let's go" when you want your dog to follow you, you are being clear in your communication, allowing your dog to understand the difference between the two commands.

If you have a fearful dog that pulls more due to anxiety and going into flight, it's essential to understand what environmental pressure is for a dog so you can identify those difficult situations before you find yourself in them. The techniques I use with a dog like this may vary, and they will typically need more time to adjust than dogs that pull out of excitement or excess energy. A good way to start working with a fearful dog is to use a slip leash with a long line; however, this approach requires its own unique skill set that you will need to learn.

I hope this post helps people understand that when people say, "It's more about training the owner than the dog," this is what they mean. Stopping a dog from pulling or addressing any unwanted behaviour requires more learning from the human than the dog. Mastering these skills and understanding how the tools work for you or against you, depending on your goals, is what will result in your dog walking nicely by your side. Hope this helps!

13/08/2025

How to Properly Meet a Dog

The best way to introduce yourself to a dog is to allow the dog to approach you without any pressure. Avoid direct eye contact, touching the dog, or trying to speak to the dog.

Many people mistakenly believe that dogs will appreciate their attention and interaction right away. However, taking a more subdued approach often makes the dog feel more comfortable.

For instance, when I met Teddy—a water dog who usually shows fear toward men—his owner was surprised that he came up to me just after I said hello to her in the parking lot. As we walked to their apartment, Teddy even followed closely behind me.

First impressions are crucial when it comes to dogs. If you start on the wrong foot, it can be difficult to win their trust later on.

I've encountered situations where dog owners wonder why I don’t immediately greet their dogs, as they are accustomed to others doing so. However, I always prioritize the dog's needs, and this approach has consistently yielded positive results. There will be plenty of time for touching, talking, and making eye contact once the dog feels comfortable with you.

So, the next time you meet a dog, try this approach. It's the quickest way to make a dog feel at ease, and it sets the stage for a positive interaction. Remember, first impressions matter to dogs.

09/08/2025

There are some seriously selfish people out there who have no problem disregarding you or your dog to get what they want. You need to be comfortable saying no to them, especially if you have a dog that doesn't do well with strangers, and you need to advocate for them.

When someone asks if they can touch your dog, say no. Then step in front of your dog to emphasise that you are serious about what you're saying to them. If they don’t listen to your "no," they will pick up on your energy. It’s straightforward: you can't touch the dog I’m with, and it’s none of your business why.

The same applies to individuals who permit their dogs to approach any dog they encounter. The truth is, one day they will let their dog approach the wrong one because they haven’t provided any guidance or protection for their pet. Don’t let it be your dog that gets blamed for their lack of understanding, which puts their dog in a dangerous position.

The same applies to children. It doesn’t matter how politely you ask, when someone says no, you need to respect that. There’s a wise saying: "F*** around and find out." But don’t let your dog be the one to pay the heavy price for someone else’s delusion.

Suppose someone is considering getting down on the ground and putting their face close to your dog or engaging in other inappropriate behaviour. In that case, I hope they are ready for the consequences. If they approach the wrong dog, they might end up in the hospital, and unfortunately, the dog will bear the brunt of that situation.

So, no, you can’t touch my dog. You can either respect our space or stay away from us. Please advocate for your dogs and don’t let selfish people do whatever they want. Your energy is everything in this situation. With a bit of practice, you will become very good at saying no and meaning it, especially if you have a dog that requires that from you.

09/08/2025

Today was Jack's first session of his four-week program. We took him out so I could help his owner gain more control over him during walks. Today wasn't perfect, but I wouldn't expect it to be at this stage. As a trainer, it's essential to demonstrate the intermediate stages of training.

I let his owner walk him the way they usually do, which you can see at the beginning of the video. Then, I changed the approach to help his owner gain more control and get Jack walking in a calm state of mind. That includes staying calm around kids and other dogs, which were significant triggers for him before today.

At the start of the video, you can see that Jack is used to walking out of his apartment building in an anxious and excited state—that’s where the problem lies. Many unwanted behaviours will fade away once you help a dog focus on you rather than the environment. It’s essential to clearly understand what you want to achieve and how to get there.

For homework this week, Jack's owner will practice structured walks, keeping Jack focused on him during the walk. I'm looking forward to our session next week to see how they've improved.

When you're working with a high-energy dog like Jack, who has a few significant issues inside and outside the home, you’ll probably not see perfection immediately. It will take time and consistency. I hope this video helps show others working with their dogs that you don’t have to achieve perfection immediately; you need to stick with it. With the right tools and knowledge, you will succeed.

07/08/2025

Is "love" all you need?

Loving your dog is essential, but it may not be enough to raise a well-balanced dog without significant issues.

Many narratives online suggest that if you simply love your dog, they will turn out fine. However, this perspective overlooks several crucial aspects, such as teaching a dog to be calm at home, understanding their energy levels, meeting breed-specific requirements, acknowledging pack mentality, fostering mental strength, and preventing issues like separation anxiety and aggression, as well as other undesirable behaviours.

When you hear someone say that dogs just need love, it often reflects their limited understanding of dog ownership. The reality is that many dogs with loving owners still exhibit serious issues both in and out of the home. Love cannot replace knowledge or energy. If it were enough, everyone would have a fantastic dog, given the abundance of love that humans provide to their pets.

However, there is often a lack of understanding regarding dogs and how to meet their instinctual needs. Establishing clear rules and accountability can help put you in control of the relationship.

In summary, love alone is not sufficient. But love, combined with the various elements mentioned, can cultivate a fantastic relationship between humans and dogs.

While it’s nice to say that people should love their dogs, that advice is not particularly helpful if you're already facing challenges.

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07/08/2025

Why is it essential for your dog to walk next to you or slightly behind you during structured walks?

Having your dog walk next to you or slightly behind you keeps you in their line of sight, allowing them to see you and follow your direction easily.

For fearful or reactive dogs, walking closely with you provides a sense of safety, as they can focus on you and feel more secure. I’m not referring to competition heeling, but rather encouraging your dog to walk alongside you in a calm state of mind.

Most of the reactive dogs I work with do not walk in this manner, which is precisely what they need to feel safe and to experience your protection and guidance.

Therefore, this is the first change I focus on with owners to help their dogs begin walking in a more relaxed state of mind.

06/08/2025

Baily and Loki

This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting these two dogs and their owner. Baily and Loki are 2-year-old littermates. Their owner has had them since they were just 2 months old. Like many in Spain, these dogs were abandoned and found in bins before being rescued by their new owner.

The owner's primary concern is the lack of control when taking both dogs out, especially in their neighbourhood, which has many stray cats. It's challenging because if she takes one dog out, the other tends to throw a tantrum.

Another concern I pointed out was their rough play inside the house, which includes a lot of growling, mouthing, and grabbing skin with their teeth. Although they have played this way since they were puppies, if it continues, it could escalate into a fight, negatively impacting their relationship.

Other than that, the dogs are great. I've shown their owner how to work with them, and we now have them equipped with the right tools for success. She will also work with the dogs individually until she gains enough control to take them out together.

I'm looking forward to our next session next week to see how they have progressed. Today, their owner established reasonable control and achieved a calm state of mind in both dogs while working with them individually. This approach is what she will continue with throughout the week.

This case also highlights littermate syndrome, which their owner had never heard of before today. It's funny because I posted about this yesterday, not realising I would be working with dogs experiencing this syndrome today.

06/08/2025

Last week, I met two stunning Mastin puppies and their owner. They are 3 months old and littermates. I discussed with their owner how to raise these pups to become great dogs.

The underlying concern with littermates is that they can develop littermate syndrome if they aren't separated enough during their early stages. Littermate syndrome occurs when siblings form a stronger bond with each other than with their owner. You can avoid this by understanding what littermate syndrome is and working with the dogs separately every day.

Many owners, including the owner of these two dogs, have never even heard of littermate syndrome. Unfortunately, many owners of littermates don’t discover the issue until it's right in front of them, and by that point, it may be too late.

To prevent this, the two puppies will have their crates to sleep in at home, and their owner will work with each of them separately every day. Some days, she will work with them twice if she has the time. This approach will help give them the best start in life.

For those who haven’t experienced it, living with littermate syndrome can be pretty challenging. Imagine having two young dogs, just a year old, who never want to be apart from each other. They become so focused on each other that they often ignore their owner's commands, making communication nearly impossible. Something as simple as taking one dog to the vet while leaving the other at home can be extremely difficult for the dog that stays behind, as they may suffer from severe separation anxiety.

Living with littermate syndrome is certainly not pleasant, and it can make everyday tasks very difficult. You can avoid it by understanding the issue and taking proactive steps.