Interested in enrolling your dog into our day school, but unsure if they’re ready? You can schedule a FREE evaluation day with our staff! Contact us today to learn more 🐶
#dayschool #doggydaycare #dogtraining #positivereinforcementtraining #nwa
As Ambriel hit six months, adolescence hit him like a ton of bricks! Let’s talk about it so I don’t lose my sanity (because yes, even when you’re a trainer and understand what’s going on, it’s still frustrating and mentally draining at times!). Every time it seems that they start out by “forgeting” the things they know best.
I put forget in quotation marks because they don’t *actually* forget anything, they’re just going through a heavy cognitive burst as they’re developing. They’re more distractable by the environment, desire more independence, are starting to test boundaries, and of course you can’t forget that they’re also going through puberty as their hormones are starting to kick in.
So what’s up with my boy? This is what he has to say for himself:
“Ambriel? Bri? That’s not my name anymore, I don’t have a name. I respond to nothing and do what I want when I want. Thank you very much!”
Yeeeaaah the strongest critical skill in his repertoire (name response)? Totally nonexistent for a few days.
Deep breath for the human. This is developmentally appropriate. It’s fiiiiiine.
So how do we deal with these little hurdles?
Retrain your pup as if they never knew the skill in the first place. It will take less time than it did initially, they just really need a foundational reminder to jumpstart their memory and realize that it’s still worth their while to listen to what is asked of them.
Above all with adolescents, if you get frustrated then it’s time to walk away for a few minutes. Neither you or your pup benefit from continuing to train when you’re frustrated with them. Take a break and when you go back to it try to remember to start the skill from scratch and build back to the level they were at before.
Due to the hazardous weather and upcoming snowfall, Northwest Arkansas school for dogs will be closed on Friday, January 10th. Please stay warm and safe at home.
Does your pup need a solid foundation in good behavior? 🐾 Our Manners 1 and 2 classes cover all the essential skills to build a strong bond and confidence wherever you go together. Visit our website to sign up today!
#DogTraining #DogManners #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFreeTraining #DogTrainingNWA
Let’s talk about foundation leash skills for new puppies! By starting the beginnings of leash manners the day you pick up your puppy you can avoid them developing a reinforcement history for pulling on the leash making it easier to have nice leash manners earlier in life.
Start super simple - They don’t need to drag you around. Every time they successfully reinforce themselves by dragging you to something they’re interested in, it gets a little harder to teach them not to pull. There are two parts to this: If you want them to be exploring (which is good for them!), stay close to them so they aren’t dragging but are still able to investigate the universe around them. If you want to go for a short walk, at this age the only rule is that they shouldn’t be dragging you. If they do get to the end of the leash, you can help them back towards you with treats or by enthusiastically getting their attention. As you’re walking and they’re maintaining a loose leash, you can offer plenty of treats for making good choices.
This isn’t something to feel like you have to set time aside for “training” in the beginning, rather just think of it as holding the boundary any time your dog is already on a leash. We aren’t looking for perfection, just a paw in the right direction!
Our force-free training focuses on reinforcing positive behaviors—no harsh corrections, just effective, science-based techniques. 🐾 Does your dog need support to build positive habits? Contact us today to find the right solutions for your pup!
#SchoolForDogs #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFreeTraining #DogTraining
It’s never too late to support a fearful or reactive dog! 🐾 If new situations make your dog uneasy and leave you feeling stressed, our Reactive Rovers class is here to help you and your pup build confidence and stay prepared.
Interested in this class? Keep an eye out for our 2025 lineup coming soon!
#SchoolForDogs #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFreeTraining #ReactiveDogTraining #DogConfidence #CalmCanine
It’s never too late to support a fearful or reactive dog! 🐾 If new situations make your dog uneasy and leave you feeling stressed, our Reactive Rovers class is here to help you and your pup build confidence and stay prepared.
Interested in this class? Keep an eye out for our 2025 lineup coming soon!
#SchoolForDogs #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFreeTraining #ReactiveDogTraining #DogConfidence #CalmCanine
Reward timing and technique are key to successful dog training! 🐾 Follow our tips to keep your pup engaged and help them understand which behaviors you want to see more of.
Looking for more training support? Visit nwaschoolfordogs.com to enroll in our upcoming classes and take your pup’s skills to the next level!
#DogTraining #DogTrainingTips #ForceFreeTraining #PositiveReinforcement #SchoolForDogs #DogsofInstagram #NWA
Are you a new puppy parent? We've got you covered! Follow us over the next few weeks for tips and adorable snippets of puppy life.
Today, we're talking about the importance of teaching your pup their name.
We take the time to choose a name we like that fits our new puppy and we want them to know it! So our habit as humans is to use it a lot and expect them to pick it up. I’m going to recommend you do the exact opposite. The first few days you should only use their name when you have their attention already and can immediately follow it with a reinforcer (either treats or cuddles). Try to never use their name when you’re wanting to correct their behavior or if you aren’t confident they’re going to respond. If we say it too often (especially in negative connotations like when they’re chewing on the electric cords and we need them to STOP) then we run the risk of their name just becoming background noise to them.
Bringing a new puppy home? Introducing them to your current dog can be a fun, rewarding experience!
Whether you’ve got a social butterfly or a more cautious pup, setting up introductions with care helps build a strong bond. A little prep goes a long way in ensuring both dogs feel comfortable and confident! 🐾
#dogtrainer #puppylife #forcefreetraining #dayschool #boardandtrain #schoolfordogs #nwa
Happy National Dog Day! 🐾 Our furry friends bring so much joy into our lives, and today we want to celebrate them! Share your pup’s name, their photo, favorite treats, or a fun fact about them in the comments below. Let’s give our best buds some extra love today!
#nationaldogday #dogtrainer #schoolfordogs #nwa
