Pups Unleashed, Reward-Based Dog Training

23/07/2025

Anxiety/Fear of Rain & Storms During Potty Breaks - Bonus Clip of Dara the Corgi Enjoying the Rain

https://youtu.be/9ZbENetPJkc

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Bonus clip with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Dara the rescue Corgi. Watch for some cute interactions and adventurous sniffing!

For an explanation of WHY Dara is sniffing in the rain, check out Arie’s information video here: https://youtu.be/9ZbENetPJkc

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Bonus clip with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Dara the rescue Corgi. Watch for some cute interactions and adventurous sniffing! For ...

23/07/2025

Anxiety/Fear of Rain & Storms During Potty Breaks - How to Teach a Dog to be Less Afraid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwacF7v0tvI

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Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Dara the rescue Corgi tackle his fear of the rain during potty breaks. This video discusses the importance of meeting a dog WHERE THEY ARE when addressing fear and anxiety. Communication and compromise, alongside knowing each dog as an INDIVIDUAL, help to maximize a dog’s autonomy in the learning process. A dog that feels IN CONTROL of their own actions can build confidence and curiosity in situations that have historically caused anxiety or fear.

Watch the video to learn how Arie & Dara are working together so that he can be more comfortable on potty breaks when it is raining (or threatening to rain). This goal has important health implications so that he does not withhold bathroom eliminations for long periods due to anxiety about the rain. In addition, these exercises help to interrupt the anxiety cycle that is associated with the rain (environmental conditions) in general, making him more willing to engage. Dara is learning that the raindrops are no big deal by giving him choice in WHERE he goes outside (novelty) and offering exploratory SNIFFING (scentwork) when he is brave enough to step outside. There is no forcing, luring, or coaxing; everything proceeds at HIS pace.

Like all emotional goals, we celebrate ALL the small successes and use challenging situations as learning experiences from which to grow. There is NO TIMELINE on emotional learning and healing for us, because we know that radical acceptance + support will grow the MOST confident dog in the long-run. Enjoy the process with us!

For a cute finisher to this exercise, check out this silly clip here (Corgi floof-butt included): https://youtu.be/9ZbENetPJkc

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Dara the rescue Corgi tackle his fear of the rain during potty breaks. This video discusses the import...

09/07/2025

Training with Deaf Dogs - Skills Training for Sit & Down with Non-Verbal Cues & Markers
https://youtu.be/QOBa8Ym-544
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Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) explains how to train the Sit and Down skills without using verbal markers. This video features two amazing deaf dog brothers–Luca and Tristan.

Teaching deaf dogs new skills requires using non-verbal communication methods. A thumbs-up is used in place of the traditional “yes!” as a reward marker. When Tristan or Luca see a thumbs-up, they know it means they’ve done the right thing and that food is coming. In addition, hand signals are used in place of verbal cue phrases (e.g. “Sit,” “Stay”) to request desired behaviors/skills.

Check out the video for a detailed description of how to train Sit and Down with non-verbal strategies!

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) explains how to train the Sit and Down skills without using verbal markers. This video features two amazin...

09/07/2025

Training with Deaf Dogs - Examples of Using a Thumbs Up as Reward Marker
https://youtu.be/0AP29rEF3FI
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In-session training examples with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA), assisted by Adam and his pups (Tristan and Luca! In the video, Adam demonstrates how to properly use hand signals to request skills/tricks and mark proper behavior using a thumbs-up. Watch the video for Adam’s demonstration with Arie’s commentary of the process!

For a detailed description of HOW to teach the thumbs-up reward marker, check out this video: https://youtu.be/RWHL0EWKCZ4

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

In-session training examples with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA), assisted by Adam and his pups (Tristan and Luca! In the video, Adam dem...

09/07/2025

Training with Deaf Dogs - Using Thumbs-Up as a Reward Marker
https://youtu.be/RWHL0EWKCZ4

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Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) explains how to use a thumbs-up hand motion as a non-verbal reward marker. Typically, the word “yes!” or a click is used during training to “mark” that a dog has correctly responded to a request cue phrase (e.g. “Sit”). These markers tell the dog that they are about to receive a food reward.

When dogs cannot hear, they need alternative communication methods to mark their behavior! One easy method is to teach the dog that a thumbs-up means that they are about to receive food for their behavior. There are plenty of other circumstances for which folks also choose to use this non-verbal marker–it is not only for deaf dogs. For example, a thumbs-up is also an excellent reward marker when training in public places to avoid distracting others. Get creative with its practical uses!

To teach your dog what the thumbs-up means, you must first condition the hand signal. This is simple–with food hidden behind your back, show a thumbs-up to your dog. Then immediately take a piece of food from behind your back and reward your dog. And repeat!

Check out this additional video for more examples of using the thumbs-up as a reward marker with deaf dogs: https://youtu.be/0AP29rEF3FI

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) explains how to use a thumbs-up hand motion as a non-verbal reward marker. Typically, the word “yes!” or a...

09/07/2025

Training with Deaf Dogs Bonus Footage - Warm Up with Luca and Tristan
https://youtu.be/pNDPPvLIzFg
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In-session training warm up with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and two very special pups–Luca and Tristan! This video shows Luca and his little brother Tristan warming up for their formal training session.

Check out Luca and Tristan’s additional training videos here:
** BreakTime: https://youtu.be/pNDPPvLIzFg
** How to Teach Thumbs-Up/Non-Verbal Reward Markers: https://youtu.be/RWHL0EWKCZ4
** Examples of Using Thumbs-Up as Reward Marker for Skills: https://youtu.be/QOBa8Ym-544

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

In-session training break with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and two very special pups–Luca and Tristan! This candid video shows adorabl...

09/07/2025

Training with Deaf Dogs Bonus Footage - Warm Up with Luca and Tristan
https://youtu.be/e2cPSQTNwJQ
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In-session training warm up with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and two very special pups–Luca and Tristan! This video shows Luca and his little brother Tristan warming up for their formal training session.

Check out Luca and Tristan’s additional training videos here:
** BreakTime: https://youtu.be/pNDPPvLIzFg
** How to Teach Thumbs-Up/Non-Verbal Reward Markers: https://youtu.be/RWHL0EWKCZ4
** Examples of Using Thumbs-Up as Reward Marker for Skills: https://youtu.be/QOBa8Ym-544

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

In-session training warm up with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and two very special pups–Luca and Tristan! This video shows Luca and his...

02/07/2025

How to Train a Dog to Close the Door - Day 1 Practice Steps

https://youtu.be/Zw1JKfkprA4

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In-session training notes with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Fenton the Corgi! This advanced skill has practical applications (e.g. close the door for a human with full hands or after one of the other dogs pushes open the door) AND gives a task-oriented herding dog a “job” to keep him busy.

This video shows the first set of steps to teaching this behavior. To shape this behavior, Arie starts by encouraging Fenton to poke an open door with his nose. Once he makes ANY physical contact with the door, Arie rewards by putting a TINY dab of peanut butter (or other squishy food) on the door. Fenton already knows the cue “poke,” but dogs without this knowledge could simply be encouraged by starting with a tiny dot of peanut butter on the door.

Once Fenton begins to lick the peanut butter, the door starts to close from the pressure he exerts on it. It is important to encourage during this part with lots of praise so that Fenton begins to understand what behavior is being asked of him. Once he accidentally pushes the door far enough that we hear it hit the frame, he receives an enthusiastic “YES!” and receives a LARGER lick of peanut butter for the final behavior. By getting a bigger reward for closing the door (versus just licking at it), Fenton will learn CLOSING the door is the behavior that Arie would like to see!

When you begin, start with simple repetitions for no more than 5 minutes at a time. You want to leave a dog wanting MORE of the training process, rather than working them to burnout. Start slow and have fun with these simple steps. And remember–this is only DAY 1 of learning this skill to start teaching what the behavior IS. He will eventually perform the full door closing behavior on cue without any luring with food. Stay tuned for updates on future steps for how to finalize this behavior as Fenton learns how to fulfill this new household job!

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

https://youtu.be/Zw1JKfkprA4

In-session training notes with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Fenton the Corgi! This advanced skill has practical applications (e.g. ...

12/06/2025

How to Train/Play Cooperative Fetch with Two Dogs

https://youtu.be/cfNpS9mIuGI
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In-session training notes after a play session with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and two Fetch FIENDS, Fenton and Cooper. Fetch is a wonderful game for relationship building between dogs and people. The give-and-take structure of the game means lots of direct interaction with the dog. It is even a great way to practice skills such as Drop It, Leave It, and Take It.

But have you ever tried to play Fetch with TWO dogs? Difficulties can arise with multiple dogs, so it can be helpful to preventatively change the “rules” to teach cooperation and teamwork between the dogs. Watch the video for examples of Arie’s “rules” that can be adapted as needed and real-time descriptions!

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

https://youtu.be/cfNpS9mIuGI

12/06/2025

Celebrating the Little Things: Using a Predictable Routine to Help Overstimulation during Play

https://youtu.be/9GI3XdpCqeg
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Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and Atlas the Frenchie are celebrating the Little Things in this clip. The video shows an example of how an easily overstimulated dog is making big progress in regulation! Playtime can be a double-edged sword for high arousal dogs because it can become overstimulating so quickly. One way to help reroute this tendency is to keep a predictable pattern of short play sessions, then structured REST before overstimulation begins. If we TEACH that rest follows play by using skills (e.g. Down-Stay), a dog’s nervous system CAN learn to do it on its own and automatically so. Following play with positive relaxation as a training means that dogs can learn, like Atlas here, that ENDING play is also good too (rather than overstimulating or frustrating).

The MOST important bit if you have a high-arousal, high-stimulation dog is to celebrate when you see PROGRESS. Avoid comparing one dog to another. Focus on PROGRESS, UNDERSTANDING, and the LONG-GAME. Starting with a predictable pattern and basic skills can have a HUGE effect on dogs AND your relationship with them. They are worth it and will pay you back in time!

If your pup doesn’t know the Down skill yet, check out Arie’s instructional video on HOW to train the Down skill: https://youtu.be/TOhmKzg3hQw

For detailed instructions on HOW to train the Stay skill, check out Arie’s instructional video here: https://youtu.be/FjYq6hQZIFI

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

https://youtu.be/9GI3XdpCqeg

12/06/2025

How to Use Down and Stay to Train Dogs to Relax Outside after Playtime/Exercise

https://youtu.be/xHChDTihboc

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In-session training notes after a play session with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and four amazing pups–Fenton, Corvus, Cooper, & Atlas. Play, although incredibly important, can also overstimulate dogs. Overstimulation commonly causes dog-dog behavior and relationship issues in multi-dog households. This is especially common in adolescent puppies that have a hard time “turning off” when playtime ends.

It is essential that pups learn to modulate their own stimulation levels so that their nervous systems do not become primed and practiced in being overstimulated. The key to combat overstimulation is to teach RELAXATION. Working on the behavioral level here helps to train the nervous system. Training a soothing and predictable pattern for your dogs can work wonders in teaching dogs of all ages to settle.

This video covers a helpful strategy for helping dogs relax after play while still outside. These pups know EXACTLY what happens after we end play time. Because of this, they do so easily and calmly, even when they were JUST playing vigorously.

After play is complete, move to a designated area where you’d like your pups to learn to relax. Have water freely available as well as a comfortable spot(s) to settle. If you have multiple dogs, make sure you allow for ample space between everyone! Use the Down skill to facilitate relaxation. When pups lie down on cue or on their own, provide a small reward. You can “capture” this in the moment by watching for someone to lie down, and then calmly walking to them to treat.The longer the Down is offered by a dog, the more times the person can reward, while still allowing the pups to generally wander as needed within the relaxation area.

Dogs essentially learn that the more that they lie down after play, the more likely it is that someone will notice and provide tasty snacks at random! Remember, “feed ‘em where you need ‘em” and they’ll learn to relax automatically after playtime ends rather than struggling to settle. Try NOT to use a formal Stay here–we want dogs to know that they are ALWAYS free to have water after playtime and a Stay **may** bring confusion into the equation.

If your pup doesn’t know the Down skill yet, check out Arie’s instructional video on HOW to train the Down skill: https://youtu.be/TOhmKzg3hQw

Need personalized help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

https://youtu.be/xHChDTihboc

In-session training notes after a play session with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) and four amazing pups–Fenton, Corvus, Cooper, & Atlas....