Cape Canine Academy

Why was your puppy fine at the vet… but now they’re nervous? 🐶😬 If your dog used to be totally fine at the vet as a puppy but now seems hesitant—or downright fearful—you’re not alone. A lot of dogs go through this change as they grow up, and it often comes down to a lack of ongoing positive experiences at the vet. When puppies are young, they go in for vaccines regularly, which gives them casual exposure to the vet. But once those visits become less frequent (especially during adolescence), they can suddenly realize, Wait… I don’t actually like this place. 😳 The good news? You can prevent this (or help fix it) by continuing to socialize your dog at the vet—even when they don’t need to be there. Many vets will let you bring your dog in just for a few positive visits: quick weigh-ins, treats from the staff, and no needles involved. Has your dog ever gone through this vet-shy phase? Drop a 🐾 in the comments if you’ve seen this happen! ⬇️ #puppysocialization #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingadvice #puppytrainer #dogpodcast

If you truly love dogs and want to help keep them out of shelters, educating yourself on reputable breeding and supporting those breeders is the best way we can do it. You can still adopt AND support the people who are keeping dogs out of the shelter system. Refusing to recognize the difference between ethical breeding and backyard breeders and grouping them all together does nothing but let the problem continue to grow.

Rescue or breeder? Let’s talk about it! 🐶💬 If you’re flexible and ready to adapt, a rescue can be a great option. But if you have specific needs—like a dog that’s great with kids, can handle busy places, and has an off switch at home—a reputable breeder can help match you with the right temperament. Either way, doing your research before bringing a dog home is key. Know the breed, ask questions, and be honest about what you need—not just what sounds nice. Did you get your dog from a rescue or a breeder? What factored into your decision? Drop your thoughts below! 👇🐕 #adoptdontshop #dogadoption #dogbreeders #reputablebreeders #rescuedogs #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingadvice

Not every dog is meant to be a social butterfly—and that’s okay! 🐶💡 You can follow the perfect socialization plan, expose your puppy to all the right things, and still end up with a dog who prefers to keep their circle small. And that’s not a failure on your part! Just like people, some dogs are naturally more reserved, and forcing them to be social can actually backfire. The key is helping your dog feel comfortable in the world, not forcing them to love everyone they meet. Know someone who needs to hear this? Share this with them! 🔄🐕 #puppysocialization #puppytraining #dogsocialization #dogtraining #dogreactivity #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingadvice #dogbreeds

Ever wonder why your super friendly puppy suddenly gets pickier about their friends? 🤔🐶 Most puppies love everyone, but as they mature, they naturally become more selective about who they want to interact with—just like we do. Some breeds stay social their whole lives, but most dogs develop preferences as they grow. This is totally normal! But it’s also why understanding your dog’s breed and temperament matters. A German Shepherd isn’t wired to be as outgoing as a Golden Retriever, and expecting them to be can lead to frustration for both of you. Has your dog gotten more selective with age? Tell me what changed! ⬇️🐕 #puppysocialization #puppytraining #dogsocialization #dogreactivity #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingadvice

Want a dog that’s confident and calm in any situation? 👀 Socialization isn’t just about meeting every dog and person—it’s about teaching your dog to feel comfortable without getting overly excited or distracted. The goal is a dog that can notice things, but still stay focused on you. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually achieve that, we break it down in this week’s podcast episode! Let me know in the comments—what’s one thing your dog struggles to ignore? 👇🎙️ #puppysocialization #puppytraining #dogsocialization #howtosocializeapuppy #puppytrainers #puppytrainingtips #puppytrainingadvice

Let’s talk about the grossest puppy problem… poop eating. 🤢 Yeah, it’s disgusting to us, but there’s actually a reason some dogs do it. Sometimes it’s behavioral, but other times, it’s a sign they’re not fully absorbing nutrients or have an upset stomach. First step? I always recommend checking their gut health—prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, or even a vet visit if tummy issues are involved. From there, it’s all about management. If you have a young puppy, crate training, supervision, and picking up immediately are key to breaking the habit. Have you ever had a dog do this? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️🐶 #puppytraining #puppypottytraining #puppyproblems #puppytrainingadvice #puppies #dogtraining #ondogterms

You can only pick ONE THING to teach your dog …. What is it? #dogsofinstagram #dogs #goldenretriever #goldenretrievers #goldenretrieversofinstagram #dogtrainingtipsandadvice #dogtraining

Thinking about daycare to help with potty training? Read this first. Daycare sounds like a great way to keep your puppy busy while you work, but when it comes to potty training, it can actually make things harder. Most daycares just let puppies go whenever and wherever—usually right in the middle of play. That means no consistency, no routine, and no real reinforcement for going in the right spot. If potty training is your goal, there are much better ways to set your puppy up for success. Have you ever used daycare for your puppy? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️🐶 #puppytraining #puppypottytraining #puppies #newpuppy #puppyowners #dogpottytraining #dogtraining #ondogterms #puppytrainingadvice

Struggling with nighttime potty training? Here’s why it might be taking longer than it should. I know it’s exhausting, but skipping those middle-of-the-night potty breaks is one of the biggest mistakes people make when potty training a puppy. They’re babies—they physically can’t hold it all night yet! It won’t last forever, but waking up to take them out now will actually help them learn faster and prevent accidents from becoming a habit. How often are you taking your puppy out at night? Let me know in the comments! ⬇️🐶 #puppytraining #puppypottytraining #puppypads #puppies #newpuppy #puppyowners #dogpottytraining #dogtraining #ondogterms

🚨 Stop using potty pads if you want your dog to go outside! 🚨 If you’re using potty pads, you’re actually teaching your puppy that going inside feels good. Dogs don’t think in terms of right or wrong—they just do what feels natural. And if they’ve learned that peeing on a soft surface inside is okay, guess what? Your rugs, carpets, and bathmats are fair game. Want to avoid that mess? Skip the pads and start building good potty habits from the start. Are you team potty pads or team straight-to-outside? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️ #puppytraining #puppypottytraining #puppypads #puppies #newpuppy #puppyowners #dogpottytraining #dogtraining #ondogterms

If you know someone with a puppy, this tip can be a lifesaver for their sanity. Puppies need between 18-20 hours of sleep PER DAY. Just like toddlers, when they don’t get enough sleep they turn into little irritable hyperactive gremlins. The most effective fix for nipping, biting, destruction and inappropriate play could be as simple as making sure your puppy gets a few restful naps each day. Tag a friend whose puppy could use a good nap 😴 #puppies #puppylife #puppytraining #puppydog #puppybiting #dogtrainingtips