The Calm Dog, LLC

12/30/2024

and a happy, healthy New Year!

12/29/2024

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

11/08/2024

Beyond obedience: discover the freedom of absolute trust. When your dog chooses you over everything else, that’s not training, that’s partnership.

11/01/2024

When working with dogs who are toy possessive and wish to take off with the toy and engage me in a chase game, I attach a simple line to the dog’s flat buckle collar.
Then, when I do let him win and have the toy or I lose control of the toy, I am able to easily regain control so that we can continue to play together.

10/25/2024

Everyday obedience should be a basic right for every dog whether the goal is to have a socially-acceptable dog or an amazing buddy for a hobby or sport dog.

It is pleasant for the owner, the dog, and the public to have a dog who comes when called, is easy to handle when grooming/treatment are necessary, and a dog who doesn’t pick fights with other dogs.

The goal of training should be to build a resilient dog who trusts the owner in all situations and who wants/needs to work with his owner.

10/22/2024

Pauses help your dog learn to wait.

This is a necessary and important skill for all dogs, particularly when there are more distractions, when the exercises become longer, the tasks become more challenging and they are linked together.

Your dog’s ability to wait—to practice impulse control— will become a welcome skill!

10/20/2024

Understanding your dog’s personality will help you gauge what your dog will interpret as a reward or punishment.

One dog might find clapping of hands as an invitation to play while another dog might take the clapping sound as punishment.

This is precisely the reason why dogs must always be trained individually as you adjust your body language and rewards to each dog’s personality.

10/19/2024

What do you do when you’re not feeling relaxed, happy or calm? How do you regulate your emotions while communicating effectively with your dog when you’re busy, tired or feeling melancholy?

By acting. Yes, training your dog requires you to fake it sometimes. It requires you and your dog to practice together, to act confident, capable and smiling, even when there are other dogs, other people or judges watching you.

This will lift your mood and elevate your dog’s willingness and desire to work with you.

Pretty soon, your work/play focus will pay off with a highly responsive dog!

10/19/2024

The clearer and more influential your communication, the more engaged and motivated your dog becomes.

For training, I love to influence the dog with voice intonation and body control. Notice I allow my dog to pursue me, activating his prey drive while working on a series of commands injected with a game of tug.

This keeps training fun and fascinating!

10/18/2024

Your dog’s characteristics will determine how you fine-tune your own behavior when you play and work together.

How responsive is your dog to praise? Is his food and/or toy drive high? Is your dog impulsive, bold, dominant, aggressive, sensation-seeking, high-energy and sociable? Does your dog show high prey-drive?

The more you understand what your dog likes and dislikes, the more you can fine-tune your own behavior during training.

09/04/2024

Have a plan when you go to train your dog.

Do not rush through training. Take your time.

Be prepared with the right equipment and frame of mind to carry your plan through.

Be prepared to get creative and flexible when conditions change.

Train the dog in front of you.

09/04/2024

When you want to take your training to the next level:
1) define what is working and what isn’t working
2) set realistic goals
3) practice on a regular schedule
4) keep lessons short and fun
5) get help when you need it

08/29/2024

Retrieving a dog who doesn’t want to come in becomes simple when you understand what YOUR dog loves to do (play, valuable treat) and you have a method to back up your command (leash on a flat-buckle collar).
You can use your dog’s natural prey instincts to engage him in play, then carefully step on your leash line to bring your dog in.
For safety, we always cut the handle off the line.

08/12/2024