Some Minor Dog Training

Some Minor Dog Training Allen and Shalene Minor are dog trainers in Florida that do in-home training and board-and-trains.
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12/07/2025

RELATIONSHIP is the most important part of dog ownership. It's the thing that makes the dog WANT to choose us over other dogs or people, and do what we're asking.

Here are a few simple ways to strengthen the bond:

• Be consistent with your rules and rewards
• Communicate clearly with body language and marker words
• Add structured play and training sessions each day
• Follow through on what you ask, so your dog learns to rely on you

A strong relationship is the foundation for a confident, responsive dog. 🐶❤️

Frenchies are great little dogs, but before you go out and get one, there's a few things you should know:French Bulldogs...
12/06/2025

Frenchies are great little dogs, but before you go out and get one, there's a few things you should know:

French Bulldogs might be small, but their history has shaped them into some of the most charming companions out there. Originally bred in the 1800s as miniature Bulldogs for lace workers in England, they later became beloved “comfort dogs” in Paris. Their whole purpose was to be close to people. That history still shows today.

Because they were bred for companionship rather than work, Frenchies tend to be:
• Highly people-oriented
• Sensitive to human emotion
• Low-energy but attention-seeking
• More motivated by affection and routine than by independent tasks

COMMON BEHAVIORAL TENDENCIES
• Clinginess or separation issues. They’re hardwired to be near their humans.
• Stubbornness. Not from dominance, but from their relaxed, “What’s in it for me?” mindset.
• Low tolerance for frustration. Their history as comfort dogs makes calm consistency important.
• Vocalizing for attention. Whining and “talking” are common because it works.

HOW TO PREVENT PROBLEM BEHAVIORS
• Build independence early. Use "Place" training, crate training, and short separations to teach them confidence.
• Keep training sessions short and fun. Reward effort, not perfection.
• Prioritize structure. Clear routines reduce anxiety for this breed.
• Enrichment without overexertion. Nose work, food puzzles, and controlled social time work better than high-intensity play.
• Prevent attention-seeking spirals. Reward calmness, not whining or pawing.

Frenchies thrive when their people give them guidance, affection, and predictable structure. When you meet those needs, you get the goofy, loving companion they were bred to be. 🐶❤️

12/05/2025

IMPLIED STAY vs. VERBAL STAY: Advantages and Disadvantages

- A verbal stay is simple. You tell your dog “stay,” and that cue becomes the instruction to hold position until released. The word itself creates the boundary.

- An implied stay works differently. You never say “stay,” because the expectation is already built into the position. If you ask for a sit, down, or place, the dog should remain there until you give a release word. The position itself carries the rule.

Many people use one or the other (Allen uses a verbal stay, while Shalene uses an implied stay, for example). But there are advantages and disadvantages to each:

VERBAL STAY
ADVANTAGES:
• Very clear for beginners and young dogs.
• Helpful in busy or distracting environments.
• Easy for owners to remember and use consistently.

DISADVANTAGES:
• The dog must wait for the cue every time.
• Many owners repeat the word, which can create dependency.
• Dogs may become unsure if the cue is not spoken, even if the position is obvious.

IMPLIED STAY
ADVANTAGES:
• The dog learns to hold any position until released.
• Builds stronger impulse control and calmer habits.
• Requires fewer commands from the handler.
• Makes the dog think before breaking position.

DISADVANTAGES:
• Takes more initial training and structure to teach well.
• Some owners forget to give a clear release word.
• Dogs without a solid foundation may break position more easily until they fully understand the rule.

Which do you use? There is no right or wrong answer, because it all depends on the individual humans and their training desires. Do you use a verbal stay or an implied stay? 🐶❤️

CO-REGULATION IS THE KEY TO SELF-REGULATIONLet's say that jumping and barking is a "level 10" on the excitement scale, a...
12/04/2025

CO-REGULATION IS THE KEY TO SELF-REGULATION

Let's say that jumping and barking is a "level 10" on the excitement scale, and whining is a "level 8." If, every time they reached a level 8, we were to remove them, let them calm down, and then try again, it wouldn't take long before the dog made that association.

Then, if we're consistent, when they start to reach a level 8, they'll stop themselves and think, "Every time I reach that level, I get removed until I calm down," and they'll choose not to get to that level because they don't want to be removed. That's how we start to teach them to regulate their own emotions. 🐶❤️

**This is a generalization. Every dog is an individual, so this particular tactic may not work with every dog, or we may have to adjust it slightly to fit the situation. But this illustrates the idea that co-regulation today equals self-regulation tomorrow.

12/03/2025

If someone were deathly afraid of spiders, and we put one on their shoulder, how long would it take them to not only stop being afraid, but to actually LIKE spiders? 🕷️🐶 Similarly, if we're trying to change a dog's emotional reactions, the amount of time it takes, and how far they can go, is entirely up to the dog and the type of "therapy" we provide. 🐶❤️

12/02/2025

A reliable off-leash check-in is one of the most important life-saving habits a dog can learn. When a dog automatically pauses and returns to you once they hit a certain distance, it creates three major benefits:

1. Safety First
Dogs don’t always see the danger you see. A quick check-in gives you a moment to scan the environment for wildlife, people, roads, bikes, or anything unexpected. It keeps the dog inside a safe bubble of control instead of drifting into trouble.

2. Prevents Mindless Wandering
Dogs can go from “smelling something interesting” to “committed to a chase” in seconds. A built-in check-in interrupts that drift before it starts. It keeps the dog mentally connected to you, instead of the environment taking over.

3. Keeps the Off-Leash Privilege Earned
Off-leash freedom should feel like freedom, but it still needs structure. Check-ins reinforce the idea that the dog’s job is to enjoy the environment while still prioritizing you. This makes their recall stronger and prevents the dog from developing selective hearing.

If a dog naturally checks in, they enjoy more freedom, stay safer, and stay in a focused state of mind. It turns off-leash time into a partnership instead of a gamble. 🐶❤️

12/01/2025

We need to normalize trying to keep other people's dogs calm.

Many people LOVE to make dogs and puppies excited, especially if it's not their dog. Regardless of whether they were polite and asked for permission to interact with the dog, or they're just around someone else's dog, many people will automatically start speaking in a high-pitched baby voice, or they'll ask the dog to jump on them, or start trying to play excitedly.

I get it. Dogs and puppies are cute, and when they get excited, especially towards us, it can be a very gratifying feeling. But what those people don't think about is that they're creating habits that the dog might start practicing on OTHER PEOPLE.

Dogs learn through association, so if every time this dog sees us, we give it a massive hit of dopamine by making them super excited, then they're going to assume that the next person will be the same. That makes training the dog not to jump, for example, 10x more difficult for the owner because the people around the dog always reinforce that excitement. Which also means that the dog is less likely to pay attention to the owner when people are around, because of that.

We need to be considerate of the owners when interacting with their dogs. We need to normalize trying to keep other people's dogs calm. 🐶❤️

Thanksgiving is a great way to test our dog's training, regardless if we want to or not haha. The key is that we pay att...
11/29/2025

Thanksgiving is a great way to test our dog's training, regardless if we want to or not haha. The key is that we pay attention and make those changes. Whether it's hectic greetings of guests at the front door, or the dog being underfoot while we're cooking, or begging at the dinner table, the holidays can really point out what we need to work on.

If the dog struggled with over-excitement, then we need to build their impulse control, and teach them how to simply hang out in one spot. They also need to be around exciting things while you ask them to control themselves. If they have a hard time with that, it just shows how much they need it.

"Place" is a great skill during the holidays, because it not only teaches the dog to go to one spot and stay there, but, if used correctly, it teaches impulse control. Meaning that we can use it to help with front door manners, and to give them somewhere to go while cooking or eating.

Think about all the areas that they struggled, and figure out what you'd rather them do instead. Then practice those things with NO DISTRACTIONS until the dog is an expert. Then, slowly add in small distractions to build up to fake scenarios that mimic the chaos of the holiday, and practice them until the dog could do them with their eyes closed.

Don't wait until Christmas to teach them how to handle the holidays. Now is the time to start. 🐶❤️

Little Known Fact: A Dog Was Present at the Very First “Thanksgiving” in 1621At the 1621 harvest feast between the Pilgr...
11/24/2025

Little Known Fact: A Dog Was Present at the Very First “Thanksgiving” in 1621

At the 1621 harvest feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag (the event Americans later referred to as the first Thanksgiving), there was a dog right there at the celebration.

A Mastiff owned by Pilgrim John Goodman was recorded as being present at the feast, along with a small Spaniel he also brought with him. These two dogs traveled on the Mayflower and lived with the settlers during that first brutal winter.

Why it’s cool for dog training:
These were working dogs, used for hunting, protection, and companionship. Even 400 years ago, dogs were by our side during big human moments, learning from our routines, energy, and structure. 🐶❤️

11/22/2025

DOG DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

1. Socialization Stage (3 to 12 weeks)
If we're bringing home a young puppy, this is the most important window. Puppies learn what’s safe, what’s scary, and how to exist in our world. Gentle, positive exposure to people, dogs, sounds, surfaces, and environments creates a foundation for lifelong confidence.

2. Juvenile Stage (3 to 6 months)
This is the “elementary school” phase. Puppies get curious, bolder, and sometimes a little mischievous. They start testing boundaries and exploring more. Consistent routines, structure, fun, and training help them thrive.

3. Adolescence (6 months to 2 years)
Every dog owner should know about this stage because it surprises almost everyone. Our dog becomes a teenager. Hormones kick in, energy skyrockets, and selective hearing becomes a real thing. This is when many behavioral issues show up, not because your dog is “bad,” but because they’re still learning self-control.
Structure, clear communication, and continued training are essential.

4. Adulthood (2 to 7 years)
Our dog’s personality becomes more stable here, and the habits you’ve built during the earlier stages start to show. Reliable obedience, calmer behavior, and stronger bonds all come from staying consistent with your training.

5. Senior Stage (7+ years)
Older dogs may slow down, but they still benefit from training, mental stimulation, and predictable routines. Gentle physical exercise and brain games keep them happy and healthy.

Each stage brings its own joys and challenges. When dog owners understand what their dog is going through, it becomes much easier to train with patience and confidence. 🐶❤️

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and connection, but it can also be a lot for our dogs. New smells, new people, ...
11/21/2025

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and connection, but it can also be a lot for our dogs. New smells, new people, and a busy environment can make even a well trained dog feel overwhelmed. Here are five simple tips to help your dog stay calm so everyone can enjoy the day.

1. Give your dog a long, structured walk early in the day.
A calm mind starts with a calm body. A solid walk helps burn energy and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

2. Set up a “place” or safe spot away from the action.
A dog bed or crate gives your dog a relaxing retreat when things get busy. Reward them for choosing calmness there.

3. Use enrichment like licking mats or chew items during dinner.
These help release calming chemicals in the brain and keep your dog productively occupied while you enjoy your meal.

4. Manage greetings at the door.
Have guests ignore the dog at first. Keep the leash on if needed, and reward your dog for calm behavior instead of excitement.

5. Watch the table scraps.
Many Thanksgiving foods can upset a dog’s stomach. Give safe alternatives like carrots or plain turkey as rewards for good behavior.

A little structure goes a long way. With the right plan, you and your dog can enjoy the holiday peacefully together.

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🐾🐶❤️

Dog training is not just structured sessions. Every time we're around our dogs, we're training them. When we sit down at...
11/20/2025

Dog training is not just structured sessions. Every time we're around our dogs, we're training them. When we sit down at the dinner table, we're training them what to do; when we're sitting down watching TV, we're training them what to do; when we're on the phone pacing in the kitchen, we're training the dog what to do.

During those times when we're not actively paying attention to them, the dog is still watching us, figuring out how they're supposed to be acting. If we don't teach them what to do, and we simply ignore them, then they'll figure things out themselves. "The humans are sitting at the dinner table, so if I wait here and stare at them, they'll give me food." Then that starts to become a habit for the dog. So, even though we didn't purposefully teach the dog to beg for food at the table, we also didn't tell them to do anything, so they found the most rewarding thing to do in that situation.

So we want to be intentional with our dogs, especially when we're not interacting with them. Be proactive, and teach them what you want them to do BEFORE the real situations arise, so that when they do, the dog knows what's expected of them. Dogs are terrific human trainers, so if we don't train them, they will train us. 🐶❤️

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