Canine In Focus

Canine In Focus Compassionate, science-based dog training and behavior support in the Rockford, IL area. Certifications: KPA-CTP, CPDT, CSAT, ABCDT, NACSW, and more!

A few of this week’s client dogs 💕
08/28/2026

A few of this week’s client dogs 💕

Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks…but changing old habits is a different story.Older dogs are absolutely capable ...
08/26/2026

Yes, you CAN teach an old dog new tricks…but changing old habits is a different story.

Older dogs are absolutely capable of learning new skills. Age itself doesn’t mean a dog can’t learn.

But changing an unwanted behavior that a dog has been practicing for years can be much more challenging.

If a dog has spent the last several years barking at people through the window, lunging at dogs on walks, guarding their food, jumping on guests, chasing wildlife, or panicking when left alone, they’ve had thousands of opportunities to rehearse that behavior.

And rehearsal matters.

Every time a behavior is practiced, that behavioral pathway becomes more established. By the time a dog reaches their adult years, some responses can feel almost automatic.

That doesn’t mean we can’t make progress. But our goals may look different.

With adult dogs, behavior change often means:
🌱Preventing continued rehearsal through management
🌱Teaching easier, safer alternative behaviors
🌱Addressing pain, sensory changes, cognitive changes, or other medical issues that may be contributing
🌱Setting realistic expectations about what progress looks like

This is also why we encourage people not to wait until a behavior becomes unbearable before seeking help.

The earlier we intervene, the less history we have to overcome.

All that to say, you can absolutely teach an old dog new tricks ❤️
But it’s a whole lot easier to change a behavior before they’ve spent a lifetime practicing it.

It’s National Dog Day…which is every day around here 😉 Show us your dogs in the comments!!!You already know our guys, bu...
08/26/2026

It’s National Dog Day…which is every day around here 😉

Show us your dogs in the comments!!!

You already know our guys, but we will reintroduce since we love sharing about our dogs 🥰

Yasmin’s: Fenna, Stabyhoun, 5 years old
Maddy’s: Chester, Australian Shepherd, 3 years old
Adrienne’s: Cooper, terrier mix, 2 years old

Sweet Fred Rogers (on the right) is working hard on learning that new people can be safe 🧡This week he was able to be ar...
08/21/2026

Sweet Fred Rogers (on the right) is working hard on learning that new people can be safe 🧡

This week he was able to be around us and eat in his own backyard! Employee of the month, Chester, was the catalyst that allowed this to happen by simply being there to help take the pressure off (Fred really likes other dogs).

Fred’s family is also exploring whether orthopedic pain could be contributing to some of his distrust of people. When a dog is uncomfortable, the world can feel a lot less predictable.

This was a big step for Fred & we’re so proud of him and his family!

Another day, another nature walk 💅 Today was Kora’s first walk with dog friends!
08/15/2026

Another day, another nature walk 💅 Today was Kora’s first walk with dog friends!

Daphne and her family got started on our most comprehensive Puppy Coaching Program last night, and our first order of bu...
08/04/2026

Daphne and her family got started on our most comprehensive Puppy Coaching Program last night, and our first order of business? A nature walk, of course 🤩

Maddy Schone-Knoll took Daphne out for her first day training session, where they focused on a decompression walk and began building the foundational skills she’ll need for safe, successful adventures on the trail.

As a high-energy herding breed, Daphne is going to need regular off-leash time in nature throughout her life to truly thrive. That’s why we we start building these skills from day one. Learning how to move through the environment, check in with her people, navigate distractions, and enjoy the outdoors will pay off for years to come!

07/15/2026

One of the most common questions we get about our puppy training program is, “will my puppy get to socialize with other dogs?”

Absolutely…just not in a chaotic group class setting!

Socialization is about having positive, appropriate experiences that help puppies build confidence and learn good social skills.

When a puppy is ready, we carefully introduce them to one of our trainer’s stable dogs. Every interaction is supervised and matched based on the puppy’s age, size, play style, and comfort level. That means they get to practice reading body language, taking breaks, and engaging in healthy play without the overwhelm that can happen in large groups.

This video is one of those sessions: our puppy client, Frito, enjoying some supervised play with Maddy’s dog, Chester. 🐾

Quality matters far more than quantity, and we’d much rather set puppies up for lifelong success than throw them into a room full of unfamiliar dogs.

These kinds of individualized experiences are just one of the many ways we tailor training to each puppy and family.

07/10/2026

I talk to clients a lot about not petting or touching their dog unless the dog is overtly asking for it (especially pups with complex behavior issues and/or pain or discomfort).

Here’s a great example of my dog asking my husband for pets.

She starts by staring directly into his soul 😂 When that doesn’t work, she puts her paw on him and curves her body into him.

Dogs communicate with us constantly, and I love teaching people to notice the difference between a dog who is tolerating touch and a dog who is actively asking for it. Giving dogs more choice and control over physical affection can go a long way toward building trust, and it makes those moments when they do ask for affection even more meaningful.

If your dog had the choice, what do you think they’d pick?🌿 Wandering through the woods, scenting wildlife, climbing ove...
07/02/2026

If your dog had the choice, what do you think they’d pick?

🌿 Wandering through the woods, scenting wildlife, climbing over logs, splashing in creeks, and moving at their own pace…

Or…

🏢 Spending the day in a loud indoor building with 20–30 other dogs, artificial turf, constant stimulation, and very little opportunity to do the things dogs were actually designed to do?

Dogs evolved to explore. To sniff. To forage. To make choices. To move through changing terrain and experience the natural world.

Many guardians assume daycare is the best way to let them “get their energy out,” but for a huge number of dogs, it’s actually exhausting in all the wrong ways. Hours of social pressure, overstimulation, and interrupted rest can leave dogs more stressed.

Exercise isn’t just about burning calories. It’s about meeting species-typical needs.

A quiet decompression walk in nature provides far more enrichment than hours of chaotic play with unfamiliar dogs.

There is absolutely a time and place for dogs to spend time with other dogs. they’re social animals, after all. But if you could ask them what they’d rather do, I think most would choose exploring a forest with a few familiar friends over spending the day in a crowded indoor daycare🌲🐾

One of the biggest misconceptions about private training is that puppies miss out on socialization and puppy playtime.To...
06/21/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about private training is that puppies miss out on socialization and puppy playtime.

Today, three of our puppy clients got together for a supervised puppy play date, and it's a great example of why "socialization" doesn't have to mean puppy classes or dog parks.

We strive to provide carefully selected social opportunities with compatible puppies, all while multiple certified trainers supervise and coach both the puppies and their humans. This allows us to monitor body language, prevent puppies from becoming overwhelmed, and make sure everyone is having positive experiences.

In many ways, our puppies get *more* socialization than they would in a traditional group class. They're learning how to interact appropriately with other dogs, experience new environments, practice training around distractions, and build confidence.

Socialization is about creating positive experiences that help puppies grow into confident, resilient adults.

These three did an amazing job today! 🐾

Address

Rockford, IL

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 12pm - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+17078611076

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Canine In Focus posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Canine In Focus:

Shortcuts

Share

Category