Dog Coach

12/15/2023

“I’m taking my dog to my friend’s house for the holiday. There will be new and familiar people, other dogs, and food. What are some tips to keep up my dog’s training?” Head to our blog to read our tips!

Tone of voice is part of dog training. Something as small as changing your voice can change your energy and your dog's.

12/12/2023

Sharing directly from the Cornell Vet page on Canine Respiratory Disease of Unknown Origin. We're doing our due diligence to keep you and your dogs safe.

⚠️ Please keep an eye on your dog for any:
Coughing
Sneezing
Labored breathing
Nose or eye discharge
Lethargy
Decreased appetite

“We really don’t want to panic about this,” said Patrick Carney, assistant professor of veterinary science at Cornell University. “It’s something we’re keeping our eye on but the numbers are not huge and the majority of dogs are doing well even if they develop disease.” WBNG, Dec. 6, 2023

Since early this summer, veterinarians across the country have been noticing an uptick in respiratory illnesses in dogs.

12/02/2023

While dog parks may seem like a good idea, they can compromise your dog’s calm, manageable state of mind and all the work you’ve done on training your dog. You can never be quite sure who is there and how other dogs will behave. Instead, opt for one of these choices that support your balanced dog training journey.
https://coachyourdog.com/blog/10-things-to-do-instead-of-going-to-the-dog-park/

11/23/2023

The winter holiday season can be a lot. From parties to shopping, winter sports or exams, we all have plenty to do. Here’s a list of Dog Coach tips to help you navigate the season, enjoy life with your dog, and generally remain sane! Whether you have a dog that’s young, reactive, or just needy, these tips will help you stay in control into the new year.

The winter holiday season can be a lot. Here’s a list of Dog Coach tips to help you navigate the season and enjoy life with your dog!

11/15/2023

When most people think of a tired dog, they think of throwing the ball and running free or taking a long walk. Each of these has a place. The balanced dog training method that Dog Coach teaches owners uses short walks as an important training opportunity.

Going on short walks as a training tool is an important part of our balanced dog training method for a variety of reasons.

11/11/2023

Dog Coach dog training is about changing your energy as a dog owner and handler. You want better behavior from your dog, you’re raising your expectations of your dog – and yourself. Something as small as changing your voice can change your energy and shift the way you speak to your dog.

Tone of voice is part of dog training. Something as small as changing your voice can change your energy and your dog's.

10/24/2023

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter to get dog training tips directly to your inbox. October's issue is currently brewing!

Sign up for our monthly email newsletter to get balanced dog training tips and info directly to your inbox!

10/17/2023

The state of mind of your dog, giving your dog a job, getting a calm dog at home... all of these things are focuses of the training we offer. All behaviors are connected which is why our programs are comprehensive.

Even when we think our dogs have come a long way and we've made big changes, going back to basics to hone that calm state of mind can be key.

08/20/2023

Teaching “Place!” is a process that goes beyond the first sessions of our programs. It’s a foundational element to creating structure, exercising your leadership, and having more fun with your dog.

05/24/2023

We can easily forget that doing nothing is hard work. Have you tried meditating lately? It’s a challenge at first! But the more you practice, the easier it gets.

The same goes for dog relaxation. Crate, work, Place duration, and even lying quietly while you chat and drink your coffee at an outdoor café help teach chill time.

05/22/2023

It’s easy to feel that the “boost” button is your safety net, but there are plenty of situations where adding 5 to whatever number your remote collar is set to won’t be enough.

Instead, get good at dialing up and down! It takes practice to hone a new type of dexterity, but it will come in so handy!

05/19/2023

Multiple dogs under one roof require strong boundaries and consistent leadership. Setting designated time and space to allow dogs to play also means controlling play whenever necessary.

The key to a calm dog is having an “off” switch. The challenge of multiple dogs is getting them calm at the same time, but the same principles apply: consistent management around playtime distractions.

04/30/2023

Steps to off-leash dog play!
Practice:
1️⃣ On-leash no distraction walks
➡️ On-leash lower distraction walks
➡️ On-leash high distraction walks and long line work
➡️ Off-leash no distraction recall work
➡️ Off-leash low distraction
➡️ Off-leash dog play ✅

Better behavior while your dog is on a leash is a precursor to great off-leash behavior. The same goes for working around other dogs. Before letting your dog off leash to run and play with other dogs, you have to be able to call him away from those big distractions.

04/27/2023

It’s easy to assume your dog knows not to eat your food off the counter, coffee table, your plate. But have you practiced and trained that? Have you used clear communication that your dog understands (“No,” leash pressure, spacial pressure, e-collar, etc.) to communicate that?

It can be easy to forget what a dog knows and doesn’t know. Dog training is a system of communication to get the behavior you want. That includes what food is off-limits.

04/26/2023

Choosing a high-quality diet for your dog is part of a comprehensive approach to training. You invest time and energy into bettering your dog, but what you put in is what you’ll get out.

We all know those weekends of eating junk food and imbibing: our brains aren’t in top gear Monday morning. Similar parallels can be drawn with your dog. High-quality food means more bioavailable nutrients to feed their brain to make better decisions and better behavior.

04/25/2023

Putting in the hard work training your dog creates more happiness. Often people think that the rules and boundaries will stifle their dog’s happiness or personality. Done correctly, training allows dogs the security and calmness to be MORE themselves.

Instead of getting worked up unnecessarily about who’s walking past the house, your dog is enjoying a great nap, fetch, sniffs, etc. And for the owners, it’s peace of mind and knowing the dog is safe and calm. That’s the happiness that training your dog can bring.

04/10/2023

Even if you have an off-leash trained dog, your leadership and management is still required when letting your dog off leash. Think of the e-collar as an invisible leash, and use it consistently — it isn’t just for emergencies and when your dog blows you off. Use it consistently to stay in contact and remain in control.

03/31/2023

Looking for a spring puppy?! Our friends over at Operation Favor have some CUTE CUTE new faces!

https://www.operationfavor.org/adopt-me/2023/cereal-canines

03/22/2023

Westley demonstrates how he works with clients by being both the decoy and the role model 🥰

Before running wild with other dogs, the expectations have to be clear. That comes with leash work. Working around other dogs while in training is key to future off-leash success by adding in appropriate distractions and still maintaining your dog’s focus. That’s a workout.

03/07/2023

We know you see us, but we want to hear from you! This month is about socialization. What do you want to hear and learn? Let us know in the comments pretty please? Instagram doesn’t seem to want to get our posts out there!

03/04/2023

Why start training early? Well, why wait?! Many people wait until there’s a behavioral issue with their dog to contact a trainer. But the reality is that training starts the minute you start interacting with your dog, right when you pick him up at the shelter or breeder — whether you know it or not!! Even if you’ve had a dog before, asking for a trainer’s help to get off on the right paw is a great idea and will set you up for the best relationship with your dog.

02/25/2023

We can talk about HOW to get your dog to walk nicely forever but we also need to discuss WHY it’s important. Leash skills go beyond just getting a nice walk with your dog. The calm confident control is a function of your leadership. With consistent practice, these leash skills are transferable to other desirable behaviors.

Even after you’ve trained your dog up, keeping your dog tuned up on leash skills is important! Going back to basics keeps both you and your dog on track and with the program.

02/05/2023

It's always tempting to draw parallels between raising kids and training dogs 🐶, but we try to steer clear: Dogs are living beings, but their needs are different than those of humans. By comparing them to kids, we can easily forget their core canine needs and project our human needs on them.

What are canine core needs?
💛 Structure & clarity
💛 Boundaries & rules
💛 Exercise & play
💛 And of course food, water, routine veterinary care, and shelter from the elements

02/05/2023

Remember what it feels like to be warm??

Greener days ahead! We can't wait to lose the jackets and get back to training with you outside–with sunlight!

01/27/2023

From the 2018 archive: These two dogs used to turn inside out whenever anyone went past their owners' downtown Rockport home, which is often if you know the area. Remote collar training with Dog Coach changed everything for Charlie and Lucy, even Pedro the small guy. Here are the owners giving a little peek into how things have changed. No need to listen to constant barking or complaints from the neighbors anymore!

01/24/2023

Dog parks can be appealing with their promises of “socialization” and “happy dogs,” but the truth is that they are counterproductive to dog training. Not only do you run the risk of crossing paths with some unsavory dogs, but dog parks work against the calm, confident dog you’re building up in training.

Opt for quality time instead where you can build a relationship, work recall, drills, or structured play. There are so many other activities that won't erase all your hard work!

01/23/2023

Our Advanced Training Programs, including Day Training, are a key component in pursuing a successful training plan – which is your goal to have an all-around well behaved family dog. 🌟 We support your commitment to higher behavior expectations and to building a lasting relationship with your dog! 🌟 ❄❄❄

01/22/2023

Summer storm selfie Sunday! We'll have flowers again soon, just have to keep remembering that... 🙃😊🐾

01/20/2023

If you’re looking for more clarity around using these commands while off-leash with your e-collar trained dog, this is for you!

There are variations and many different ways to use them. Questions? Have a different or specific way you use the commands? Let us know!

01/16/2023

The colder months can make getting out with your dog harder in different ways – whether it's ice, snow, bitter cold, or even just lack of daylight. But this post is a note for all of us to keep it up.

Our dogs will benefit from it, and so will we. Science tells us that getting outside is good for our minds and our bodies, so take at least 15 minutes and get outside with your dog. If you don't feel like you even have 15 minutes, that should give you pause. I think ALL of us could replace 15 minutes of social media or TV with being outside. Consider it a challenge!

Comment below if you'd like a direct message of encouragement and cheering on!! 🐾 🏆