Real Life Dog Training MN

Poppy has been working hard with Birch and Oakley and she’s showing off their skills before their board later this week! Client videos are our favorite. #dog #dogtraining #dog #trap #dogtraining #ecollartraining #germanshepherd #gsd #minnesota #minneapolis #saintpaul

A dog training program that focuses on obedience with healthy socialization is the best approach for a leash reactive dog because it addresses the root causes of the reactive behavior and helps the dog build confidence and trust in various social situations. Obedience training teaches the dog to listen and respond to commands, which can help redirect their focus and prevent reactive outbursts. It also establishes a clear hierarchy and communication between the dog and their owner, which can help the dog feel more secure and less anxious in new or challenging situations.Socialization is crucial for helping a reactive dog learn to feel more comfortable and confident around other dogs and people. By slowly introducing the dog to new experiences in a controlled and positive way, they can learn to associate these interactions with positive outcomes and reduce their reactivity over time.Overall, a training program that combines obedience training with healthy socialization can help a leash reactive dog build better impulse control, increase their confidence, and improve their overall behavior and interactions with others. It provides a solid foundation for the dog to become a well-adjusted and happy companion.

Did you know that treating your small dog like a larger dog can actually improve its behavior? Many small dog owners make the mistake of coddling and babying their pups, which can lead to behavioral issues like aggression and anxiety. By treating your little dog with the same expectations and boundaries as a larger dog, you can help instill confidence and good behavior. Remember, all dogs, regardless of size, thrive on structure and consistency.

Thank you to all who come to our group classes, new and old clients alike. It is so cool to see everyone’s progression through the summer. Last class, we finished with a nice trail walk. It was beautiful! We will see you this Saturday!

Does your dog walk you? It doesn’t have to be that way! Any kind of leash reactivity problem, barking, lunging, aggression, overexcitement and more we deal with it! DM us to schedule your four week behavior reset today!

Let’s talk about confidence. Your dog is your energy, and they feel it all. When you’re out on a walk and you pass a dog or a person, they can feel the slightest tension in the leash you’re holding. When you’re leashing your dog up, or waiting for them to be calm enough to do so, take that time for yourself as well to relax. Maybe even do some breathing exercises. Make sure you’re walking with assurance and looking forward. If you’re looking at your dog the whole walk, they might take that as a cue that they need to take the driver’s seat. They don’t. This is your walk for them, but it’s certainly not THEIR walk. The more relaxed, controlled and certain you are, the more they will be too. We have to be leaders for our dogs out in the world and show them it’s not a scary and tense place. So relax! Take a breath, loosen your grip, drop those shoulders, look straight ahead, and walk with confidence. If you need help with a confident walk, shoot us a DM or fill out a consultation form at rufflovedog.training today. . . #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure

A lot of our clients are surprised when we advise that they keep a leash attached to their dog while indoors and monitored. We know this can be a drag (no pun intended), but here’s why we find this so important: Dogs learn from our touch, talk and eye contact. All three of these are essentially a thumbs up for whatever behavior. That’s where the leash comes in handy. Not only can you correct behavior without the use of touch, but it can also make it easier to catch flighty dogs by stepping on the leash. The leash can be helpful for the following and much more: counter surfing, barking at doors and windows, overexcited jumping, reactive behavior, keeping off furniture, getting into unwanted things. A dog that is out of your line of vision and not kenneled is usually looking for a job. If it’s not a job you gave them, it’s not usually a job you want them doing. Need help with one or more of these behaviors? Send us a DM or head to rufflovedog.training to fill out a consult form today. Spots are filling up fast! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure

When it comes to communicating and speaking with and to your dog, less is more. Here are two examples… First and foremost, we want to make sure that when we give our dog a command, they do it the first time it’s asked of them. Giving the “sit” command until they eventually do it inevitably teaches your dog to sit the fourth or fifth time you say it, which ultimately loses both the power of the word and the owner who gave the command. Give the command one time, mean it, and always follow through with the consequences. Otherwise your dog is going to take your words as a request rather than a command. Second, when we constantly talk to our dogs out of context, we’re speaking Charlie Brown adult language to them. This is confusing! We go by the rule less is more because it truly does mean more. What means more to you…the parent who won’t stop propping you up telling you you’re doing great or the more stoic and reserved parent when they say “I’m proud of you.” Dogs require a lot less from us than we give them credit for. It will always pay off to speak to and give your dog affection only at the right times. Challenge yourself for one week to only speak to your dog when absolutely necessary. It will give your commands more punch and more power. It’s hard, but worth it! For more help and info on this topic, dm us or head to our website and fill out a consultation form today. Rufflovedog.training . . . #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure

In a lot of our first sessions with clients, we hear that they’ve tried most tools in the book with little success: slip lead, gentle leader, herm-sprenger, etc. What they don’t know is that introduction is EVERYTHING. It’s important to create a positive connotation with these tools or the chances of them working in your favor are poor. Practice application at home and making sure your dog is comfortable wearing it. Let them wear it around the house for a while before they’re thrown into something new and uncomfortable. In the case of a gentle leader, they will probably always try to pull it off, but the important thing is that they’re okay getting it on. Introduction is key for everything from collars to muzzles to kennels. Need help making these tools work for you and your dog? Head to rufflovedog.training to fill out a consultation form or send us a message today! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance

Do you have a dog that is constantly barking at neighbors, other dogs, passing cars, etc. when let outside? Have you noticed that raising your voice usually doesn’t help? Here are a couple of tips to help with this behavior problem: 🐶 Step one is to MASTER recall. Repeating “come” or “touch” constantly will eventually lose it’s punch. If you don’t have perfect recall, try attaching a 15-30 foot lead to your dog. When the barking begins, use your command one time with a tug of the leash. 🐶 If you don’t have faith or trust in your dog outside, they should not be alone. We know you might not want to hear this during the winter months, but there’s simply not another way around it. 🐶 Send to place or crate. Give your dog a productive job rather than barking and send them to their safe space such as their bed, place or kennel. 🐶 Don’t yell. We want our dogs to match our calm energy. Raising our voices just sounds like another dog barking to them. 🐶Consistency is key. This behavior will not change over night, but if you persist with consistency and a large amount of reps, you WILL get there! We like to tell our clients to out-stubborn their dog. It’s not easy work, by any means. In fact, this can be the hardest part of training, but do NOT give up. What you allow is agreed upon–try not to make compromises. For more tools to help with a backyard barker and other behavioral issues, visit rufflovedog.training to fill out a consultation form for a free phone call today! #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure

Meet Daizy and Tank! Not pictured is their third sister Chloe. This client reached out to us a few weeks ago asking for walk help. We were told that Tank (shepherd mix) screamed anytime he was leashed. To the point where the cops had been called before. Daizy is a great dog inside, but needed to be reminded that our walk wasn’t all about being on guard. We had to convince this girl with work and trust that we got this! Owner’s short term goal was to exercise the dogs with a long term goal is being able to walk them all together. Fast forward two weeks later to this! We could not be more proud of this crew and their hard work. Their owner has even noticed a difference in house, noting that they seem more relaxed by the time he comes home. Keep a lookout for these guys. Soon we will have all three walking in unison. Need help with your dog on leash? Head to rufflovedog.training to fill out a consultation for a free phone call today! #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance

Leash skills are life skills! This is a motto we live by here at Ruff Love. Good manners on a leash translate everywhere. There is nothing better for creating a strong and trusting bond between you and your dog. This is one of the first foundations of training because, when done correctly, you are telling your dog “I got this, you can relax.” Much like place work. Your dog should ideally by next to or slightly behind you with a loose leash. Remember, tension is correction. If you’re using a slip lead or gentle leader and constantly tugging on it or giving it pressure, you are sending mixed signals. Your dog will learn to push through that, losing the effectiveness of the tools you are using. Every inch of ground should be earned. If they can’t nail it in the driveway, how will you have any control beyond that? A lot of our clients don’t make it out of their driveway until the second week, so don’t be discouraged! Practice makes perfect. We are here to help. If you’d like to improve your dog’s leash skills, head to rufflovedog.training to fill out a consultation form for a free phone call! #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure

When asked, a lot of our first time clients have negative connotations with kenneling their dog. This is what we tell them: Dogs of ALL ages could benefit from kennel training. A kennel is not a punishment. A kennel is a dog’s safe space. A cool down place. It’s like their own room. When introduced safely and correctly, a dog will end up choosing to lay down in their kennel. Sure, a kennel may be a place we put them when they are exhibiting behaviors we don’t want, but that is not all it is for. Practicing kennel placement in small spirts (minutes rather than hours) can help desensitize kennel anxiety. Most dogs do not have a good association with kennels because they know we’re leaving, and for usually hours at a time. Practice kenneling your dog when you cannot 100% keep your eyes on them. Additionally, pay attention to the mind set of the dog you are allowing to leave the kennel. That is the mind set you are rewarding. Need help with a calmer and crate trained dog? Head to rufflovetraining.dog for a free call and consultation today! #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure #love

Spots are filling up fast, get on the books now. Dm for details and scheduling! . . . #dogsofinstagram #dog #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogtrainersofig #puppy #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #puppytrainer #balanceddogtraining #minneapolis #minnesota #stpaul #minnehahafalls #dogsofnokomis #dogsofminneapolis #dogsofminnesota #rufflovedogtraining #love #trust #change #balance #structure