2 Dog Trail Positive Dog Training

08/29/2025

08/29/2025

08/27/2025

NEW infographic: Adopting a Shelter Dog. Happy National Dog Day 8/26/2025.
Link to download: https://doggiedrawings.net/products/adopting-a-shelter-dog

08/27/2025

Yup...you can be teaching your dog to ignore you.
No one likes to be nagged.
We are just so impatient!
Give them time.
Let them actually process what you have said before you say it again.
Bite your tongue a bit before you repeat, it helps.
Count to 4 (in your head).
After you ask....take a breath....watch what happens.🏆

We slip into these bad habits and they do require recognition from us that we have actually fallen into them.
So easily done and it starts as early as those first few days at home when they're pups.

Say it once?
No.
You may need to repeat especially if there are distractions, temptations or they are struggling with focus....but even then, don't get into the habit of nagging.

You will turn yourself into background noise.

08/27/2025

PUPPY BITING: Ugh!

Does your puppy nip or bite at you in some way with those awfully sharp puppy teeth?! Ouch! They are like shark teeth!
——
WHY THEY BITE

🐾 Undertrained/underworked: no clear rules or outlets

😵‍💫 Over-stimulated: overtired = mouthy gremlin

🎲 It’s a game: (often unintentionally taught)

👶 They’re…puppies: baby teeth, big feelings
——

HOW TO FIX IT

⏲️ Prevent over-stimulation: From 8–10 wks, do ~20-min out-of-crate bursts: potty → train → play → potty → back to crate/x-pen. Add a little freedom weekly. Puppies need lots of sleep.

🧊 Act fast, stay calm: First nip = end scene. Quietly park pup in crate/x-pen. Not punishment—downtime. Wait for relaxed pup before retrying.

🧒 Kids getting chomped? Adults step in. End play. Coach “Be a Tree” (hands tucked, look down/away, stand still), then park the pup.

🧸 Use the right play: Hands ≠ toys. Always use a toy (tug, ball, puzzle).

🔁 Redirect well: Trade skin for a real chew (bully stick, buffalo horn, antler—something that holds attention).

🧠 Train + enrich: If pup’s out, they’re training with you, playing appropriately, or calmly chewing. Balance = fewer teeth on you. Great ideas here: bit.ly/canineenrichment
——

Puppies are spicy but fixable. A good in-home trainer can fast-track all of this.



——
Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA

🐕🐩🐕‍🦺🦮

COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2025 Stacy Greer
All rights reserved. Feel free to share via the “Share” link to the original post. Downloading for redistribution online or in print form is strictly prohibited.

08/14/2025

08/14/2025

If they're hiding...they're not ready.
They're not being dramatic or disobedient.
They are telling you and others as clearly as they can that they don't feel safe.
If being behind your legs makes them feel safer....let them.
They are telling you, "You make me feel safer"
Peeking at visitors behind a chair?
Same thing.
That chair or couch can be a protective "barrier".
It's safer there.
They may have more options to escape in different directions or have learned that humans struggle to reach them in their hiding spot.

Let them hide.
Let them observe....but take the pressure off next time.

If you know this happens when visitors arrive, that's an opportunity to have a plan in place for next time.

Maybe a Lickmat behind a gate.
Perhaps removing them to the backyard before your gust arrives...they know the person is inside but they can observe at that distance they need.

That's how to build confidence.

Over time that distance can get less and less.

For now though....it's clear communication that we must listen too.

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

Not all licks mean love. Sometimes, they mean “please stop.”

We call this Kiss to Dismiss—when a dog licks a baby, child, or adult not out of affection, but to make space.

These licks are actually polite warnings:

🗣 “I’m overwhelmed.”
🗣 “This is too much.”
🗣 “I need space.”

👀 Watch for signs like:

✔️ Lip licking, yawning, whale eye, or a stiff body
✔️ Hard pushing away with their tongue
✔️ Avoiding contact right after + checking in with a trusted adult

🎯 Why this matters:

When we misread these signs as sweet kisses and encourage more closeness, we risk crossing their comfort line—which can lead to a growl or even a bite.

Let’s advocate for both our dogs and our kids 💛

Understanding these cues keeps everyone safer—and strengthens trust.

Want to learn more about this topic? Register for our upcoming Dogs & Storks on August 12th at 8:30PM EST

Comment STORKS for a direct link to be sent to you OR use the link below ⬇️

🔗https://familypawsbooking.as.me/schedule/1450ac5a/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=19390846