2 Dog Trail Positive Dog Training

06/29/2025

One thing is for sure!
When you start to see these signals, it opens your eyes.
Fully.
So how do dogs show they just aren't interested or need a break from interacting with another dog?
This shows some fairly common ways.
If we ignore these "no thanks" signals, it can cause issues for some.

I've said it before....no one likes a pest, and dogs are no different.

That dog that just won't give up?
Even when your dog may be desperately signaling their little heart out.
We have to intervene.

Are we "interfering" with their natural communication?
Yes we are, because that communication given is not being received.
If ever there was a time to advocate and intervene.....that is the time.

Over arousal/over stimulation is a very big cause of dogs not receiving clear communication well.

So we have to step in when the other dog "just doesn't get it".

06/27/2025

Dogs come with many pre-installed behaviors like shredding, interacting with their own species, running/chasing and hunting to name a few. All too often, domestic dogs don't have appropriate outlets for them.

This can lead to boredom, destruction, frustration (for owners and dogs!) and decreased quality of life.

Enter enrichment.

Enrichment is more than work-to-eat toys; it's providing outlets for natural behaviors. And often, it's a big part of behavioral problem solving and part of my overall training plan for clients. It's not a nice little extra thing we add it. It's a critical part of the puzzle.

If you've thought "my dog just needs a yard" or "he needs to live outside the city" or he'd be "happier on a farm" because he's a herding dog, read my post this week.

https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/06/23/yard-dogs/

06/27/2025

POTTY TRAINING MYTHS & TRUTHS‼️

❌💧 MYTH: Limiting water will help prevent accidents.

✅💧 TRUTH: Limiting water can actually cause more potty problems (and possible health problems). When you limit water intake, a dog will drink a whole lot when the dog does get access to water. This then fills up the kidneys quickly and therefore the body will eliminate it more frequently. When the dog has water at all times (yes even when in a confined space) they will learn to regulate their intake and will then be able to regulate their urine outflow.
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❌👃🏼 MYTH: Rubbing your dog's nose in it will teach the dog that it's wrong to go inside the house.

✅ 👀 TRUTH: This has to be the oldest trick known to dog training but is 💯 horrible advice! However, this is very inaccurate advice and will not help during potty training. In fact, it often causes your dog to sneak away and potty when you aren't looking.

Rubbing your dog's face in the potty accident or pointing out the accident to the dog and telling her she is bad does nothing to help your dog connect the dots. Dogs learn by association and timing is everything. If your dog isn't caught literally "in the act," then anything after that is pointless, and quite frankly your fault for not paying closer attention to your dog.

Instead, take your pup out frequently and keep an eagle-eye on him when he's out and active. 🙈 Potty accidents on your watch are actually your fault, not the puppy's!
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❌ 🐾🚪 MYTH: A doggie door and/or another dog will teach your dog to go outside.

✅ 🐾 TRUTH: A doggie door is a way for your dog to get outside and back in, nothing more. If you have not taught your dog that going outside is the appropriate place to potty, then the doggie door isn't going to do that for you.

Your dog has to be taught where the appropriate location is to go potty. This involves you going out with your dog for each potty break and then praising him for going outside after he’s finished.
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❌ 😈 MYTH: Dogs can p*e or p**p out of spite.

✅ 🕵🏼 TRUTH: If your dog is going potty as a new behavior and you think this means your dog is "mad at you" then we need to evaluate what's going on. Dogs don't possess the ability to be spiteful.
The most common reasons a dog will start to potty inappropriately

😰 anxiety and/or stress
😷 medical issue that's not been diagnosed
😕 dog is simply not fully potty trained
You should always have your pup checked by a veterinarian as a starting point. If it is anxiety, you’ll want the proper professional to be able to help you with that.
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❌ 📆 MYTH: All dogs should be potty trained reliably by 6 months of age.

✅ 🕰 TRUTH: There is no age that your dog will magically be potty trained. Some breeds take longer than others, so to put a blanket statement on a time frame would be inaccurate.

Size often isn't a factor either. I know that Greater Swiss Mountain dogs are a breed that can take some time to potty train according to breeders and owners of these large gorgeous dogs. They are usually 85 lbs and up to 120 lbs. So they are large dogs! While Great Danes are famously known for their ease and sp*ed of potty training.

Smaller breeds are notoriously known for taking longer, some more than others, such as Bichons and Yorkies. I do believe their very tiny bladders don't help them out in this area either. However, this isn't an excuse for a dog to take longer to potty train. There are definitely many small breeds that are easy to potty train quickly.

The reality is that you have to be diligent, consistent and proactive. This is the only way to potty train your pup reliably regardless of breed, size or age!
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❌ 🧮 MYTH: Puppies can hold it for one hour for each month of their age.

✅ 🧘🏼 TRUTH: There is no magic equation for a dog’s ability to hold it for any length of time, just patience & consistency. There are some dogs that can hold it for long periods at a very young age and some dogs that cannot do that for quite some time, regardless of age.

If potty training were as easy as a math equation this would be much easier but alas this is a sentient living being that cannot be predictable in that manner. Each dog is different and should be treated as such, respectfully.
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WANT MY FREE HANDOUT WITH ALL OF THESE MEMES IN HI RESOLUTION⁉️
Comment with "Potty Meme" and you can get a free download with all of my potty memes in beautiful color & design!

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Stacy Greer, CPDT-KA

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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.

06/27/2025

Watermelon Coconut Pupsicles for Dogs for 4th of July Independence Day
A refreshing patriotic treat to keep your pup cool during summer celebrations
Celebrate with red and white swirled pupsicles that look as festive as they taste

Ingredients

1 cup seedless watermelon, pureed
½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
½ cup plain Greek yogurt (no sweeteners or additives)

Instructions

1. Blend the watermelon into a smooth puree.
2. Layer popsicle molds with alternating spoonfuls of watermelon puree, yogurt, and coconut milk to create swirls.
3. Tap molds to release air bubbles and insert dog-safe sticks or use silicone molds without sticks.
4. Freeze for 4–6 hours or until fully set.
5. Serve chilled directly from mold or pop out and offer one at a time.

Storage
Store in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

Benefits
Hydrating watermelon helps keep dogs cool, coconut milk supports skin and coat health, and yogurt promotes gut health.

Calorie Information
Each pupsicle contains approximately 20–30 kcal, depending on mold size.

06/27/2025

06/14/2025

06/09/2025

06/09/2025

Most dogs do not like to be hugged. (One study suggested only 7.6% seemed to be comfortable with hugging!) At best, your dog might tolerate it.

And even if your dog is tolerant of being hugged or happens to be one of the rare dogs who enjoys it, this is **not something we want to model** for children to learn.

We do not want children learning that it is OK to hug or kiss dogs or they will go to a neighbor's house and hug that dog. And chances are, that dog will not be tolerant of hugging, and that's when bites happen. 77% of dog bites happen from familiar dogs, not stray or unfamiliar dogs.

Let's model safe, appropriate interactions with dogs when around children. If it is not something that you would want a child to do, then you should not be doing it!
This includes not just whether you hug or kiss the dog but ALL your interactions - training methods, play, respect, handling, and how you speak to them. Read more in my post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/06/03/setting-good-example-for-children

06/09/2025

Copycat MarroBone Treats for Dogs

Ingredients:
– 1 cup oat flour
– 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded or finely chopped)
– 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
– 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
– 1 tbsp olive oil or flaxseed oil
– 1 egg
– 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, for flavor and B vitamins)

Supplements (optional):
– 1 tsp ground flaxseed (for fiber and omega-3s)
– 1/2 tsp calcium powder (for bone support)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). In a food processor, blend the chicken and yogurt until smooth. Add egg, oil, and broth and blend again. In a separate bowl, combine oat flour, nutritional yeast, flaxseed, and calcium powder if using. Add the wet mixture to the dry and knead into a dough. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a small bone-shaped cookie cutter to cut treats. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Let cool on a wire rack.

Storage:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.

Benefits:
These treats are rich in protein and healthy fats, support skin, coat, and muscle health, and are inspired by the texture of MarroBones without artificial fillers.

Calorie Information:
Each treat contains approximately 30–40 kcal depending on size and shape.