Why you NEED to bring your dog on outings! I know it can feel daunting and hard, especially if your dog is used to being home with you, but taking your dog’s on an outing is so important, not only for training purposes, but for their mental and physical well-being. You get to practice good behaviors in diverse settings, improve your dog’s socialization skills and build confidence, and create positive memories with your dog. Sounds like a win for me!If doing this alone makes you freeze with fear, don’t worry! I will support you! I offer board and trains or join RK9 Bootcamp, my 8 week private coaching that will transform your dog and your relationship with your dog for good ❤️ Comment or DM me TRAIN and I’ll send you a free video of my proven system that has transformed hundreds of dogs in my board and train and will transform yours too!#dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer #dogtrainer #onlinedogtraining #onlinedogtrainer
My step-by-step guide on how to teach your dog an off-leash recall! 👇Let me know if you have any questions!👉 share with a friend, like, save, and follow @ruggedk9training #dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #offleashrecall
How to increase your dog’s mood using the neurotransmitters in their brain! We all know that these things are good for our dogs but here’s how it works on a scientific level! You want to go in the order of increasing serotonin -> oxytocin -> dopamine. First we make sure the foundations are set: we feed a healthy diet and get outside every day for exercise in the sunlight. We build a connection with love and pets, and then we do some fun activities like fetch and playing. This isn’t to say that the dopamine giving activities aren’t as important, but if you are lacking in the other neurotransmitters, it can’t do all the work on its own!
Hey gotta try everything!
Potentially unpopular opinion incoming! One of the worst things you can do for you dog’s mental health and attention span is be constantly providing stimulation. Your dog needs time to do nothing and just chill out! It’s important for dogs to learn to do nothing—essentially, to practice calm and stillness—because it helps them develop emotional balance and resilience. Constant stimulation can lead to overstimulation, stress, and anxiety. Just like humans, dogs need time to rest and decompress. Allowing a dog to experience quiet moments teaches them how to self-regulate, which can improve their overall behavior, reduce restlessness, and increase their ability to focus when they need to.There is nothing wrong with enrichment games every once in a while, especially if you don’t have a lot of time to exercise or play with your dog for whatever reason. It’s the idea that your dog needs something to do all the time and you are afraid of your dogs being “bored”. The peace dogs will feel from being content doing nothing is UNMATCHED! Imagine your dog going with the flow of life without barking or anxiety. Imagine being able to bring them places without worry. Additionally, teaching a dog to do nothing can prevent behavioral issues like excessive barking, destructive chewing, or hyperactivity. It also fosters a deeper bond between dog and owner, as the dog learns to settle and be content in your presence, rather than constantly seeking entertainment or attention. It’s a way to promote mental and physical health, and it can make your dog’s moments of activity more meaningful and focused.Place time is a great way to teach them to do nothing - try it today and tag me!Let me know what you think below! 🫶#dogtraining #balanceddogtraining #balanceddogtrainer #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #seperationanxiety #onlinedogtrainer #onlinedogtraining
If any of these behaviors sound familiar, you might be dealing with a tired and overstimulated puppy…. here’s what you should do!
What I notice the most with people who own young dogs (let’s say ~1 year or younger), they have a similar complaint: their dog is good most of the time, but those times when they are naughty can be really challenging.
Owners deal with:
- excessive barking (seemingly to get attention)
- whining
- chewing on things (after exercise or play)
- nipping on hands/fingers/clothes
- inability to listen after a while
These are all the pinnacle signs of a tired and overstimulated dog! Most of the time, these behaviors come AFTER an activity or a full day out. Owners get confused thinking their dog should be tired and should want to sleep, but here’s the thing…
Young dogs are not very good at putting themselves to sleep when they need the rest. They are very prone to paying attention to any stimulation in the environment. If you take your dog on a walk or go on an outing, then you come home to a stimulating home (TV on, people talking, walking around the house, etc), your dog is going to reach their limits. This is when these annoying behaviors come out: your puppy is tired and needs to rest and can’t!
Here’s what to do: your dog needs to be put in a separate room, in a crate, and be given regular naps throughout the day. This is especially true after any activity! To get you used to it, make sure your puppy is getting at least 1-2 naps a day, alone. The issue with letting your dog sleep in the house on their own is they will probably wake up every time they hear any noise. This will make it hard for them to sleep. On the other side, your dog getting regular naps will teach them to sleep when they are tired, and they can transition to taking naps on their own.
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A look at Finn’s first session! Also a reminder that training doesn’t have to look like anything specific. When we are beginning a training journey, we need to start slow and easy. Build trust and the rest will follow! Plus a look at Finn’s first time seeing a horse!
The number one problem we see with our clients…..
Their dogs are TIRED!
Dogs need adequate amounts of sleep for brain development, a strong immune system, and muscle recovery. This can be:
💤18-20 hours of sleep for a young puppy (2-4 months)
💤14-16 hours of sleep for a puppy 4-8 months old
💤12-14 hours of sleep for young and adult dogs
If you are in a period of life where you are doing more training, or more physical/mental activity in general, then your dog will need even more sleep! Working and learning is hard work, and rest and recovery is an important step that is often missed.
If your dog is a puppy or adolescent (under 3 years), then you are at risk for your dog being overstimulated! Many of our clients will say “well my dog DOES sleep a lot” but if you pay attention, you might notice your dog is prone to following where the stimulation is. Does your dog watch you or follow you when you leave the room? Are you constantly petting your dog or giving them attention? Do they perk up when they hear noises?
Young dogs have to learn how to sleep with stimulation around them. If your dog is waking up every few minutes to pay attention to what’s happening in the room, then they will not get adequate rest, and they can become overstimulated and tired. This can lead to those pesky behaviors such as nipping, chewing, trying to bite or play when you pet them, getting zoomies, etc (especially if these behaviors happen after exercise or towards the end of the day when they’ve been awake for a while). Your dog doesn’t need more exercise, they need SLEEP!
To fix this, get your dog on a good sleep schedule. Once they have been awake for 1-2 hours or after heavy exercise/training, have them nap on place or in the crate. Simply getting enough sleep can change behavior, even if you do nothing else!
For more training tips, check out our FREE training guide! Link in bio :)
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It’s 2024, and it’s FINALLY time to have the dog of your dreams. Whether you are starting the training journey, or need some help getting your dog back on track, download your FREE (!) 13-page Roadmap to your Dream Dog. I’ve put together my best tips for creating the dream relationship with your dog through connection, obedience, and freedom. The beautiful thing about dog training is it’s an ongoing process for life. If you fall down, you can always get back up. There is so much to learn!Let’s get you your dream dog this year. Just click this link and you’ll be sent the freebie right away! www.ruggedk9training.com/freebie 🫶
Connection. Obedience. Freedom. The three pillars of our board-and-train training program. Our goal is to always give you an unbreakable connection with your dog while building up obedience and breaking down unwanted behaviors. Have a dog that you can rely on, can take anywhere, and that transcends everything you know about dog ownership. Now booking for 2024! Message us for more information!#dogtrainingvideos #dogtraininglife #dogtrainer #dogtraining101 #dogtrainingtips
