Dog Training Newbie

20/06/2024

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/stopping-escape-artist-dog/

Is your dog an escape artist? If you have an escape artist dog who constantly runs away, it's time to address the issue before it gets out of hand.

04/03/2024

How well does your dog walk on leash? If you don't like answering this questions, it is time to start at the beginning and take small steps for big success!

They are confused: Loose-leash walking is a human construct, so it's unfair to expect your dog to walk near you or with a loose leash without teaching them

08/02/2024

This week, we talked about yawns as a stress signal.

This great post from The Sophisticated Dog expands more on the subtle cues our dogs give us when they need space.

The more you know, the better you can do for the dogs in your life.

Bottom line: Try to notice the whispers, so your dog doesn’t have to shout!

06/02/2024

What is a yawn? It is just one of the subtle signs a dog may use to tell us how they feel.

While it can definitely be a sign of fatigue, or even boredom, it is also often a sign of stress.

You have to look at the full picture to figure out why your dog is yawning. When is your dog yawning? Are you seeing any other signs of stress?

When in doubt, check in with a dog behavior specialist. Signs of stress need to be heeded so we can make sure we helping our dogs feel better.

01/02/2024

February is National Dog Training Education Month.

Now, you may be thinking, "Wasn't it just National Dog Training Month? How is this different?"

What a great question we are glad you asked! January was National Dog Training Month, where we challenge dog lovers to train their dogs!

But is about the people at the other end of the leash. What can we learn, to enable us to communicate more effectively with our dogs?

So, in February we will be sharing simple and short videos or photos to help you understand your dog's behavior more. Share these with anyone you think would benefit.

We start today with a simple guide to dog body language presented by Fear Free Happy Homes. It is so important to be able to understand what our dogs are trying to tell us.

Want to dive deeper? Let us know and we can share more in-depth info>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siy0eog48ys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siy0eog48ys

Animals speak all of the time, as spoken through their body language, but many times their messages are misunderstood or go unheard. As a result, a dog may b...

31/01/2024

Today is the last day of but we hope your journey with dog training does not end there! Dog training is a lifelong endeavor.

What did you train your dog to do this month? What do you hope to train in the future?

It is our responsibility to teach our dogs the behaviors we want to see. But that isn't always easy! Dog Training Newbie hopes to help with you by providing guidance with our blog.

29/01/2024

"Play is Our Brain’s Favorite Way of Learning" - Diane Ackerman

This quote refers to people but is can also be applied to dogs! Dogs flourish in training when we keep it fun and playful.

If you have started to build response to the come cue when we introduced it earlier in it is time to gamify it!

Create a fun game of Hide and Seek that will further build response to your recall cue!

24/01/2024

When you get a new puppy or dog, you have probably turned to the internet for dog training advice. But it's a jungle out there! So much conflicting advice!

So let's look at the truth behind the myths!

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/the-truth-about-4-common-dog-training-myths/

22/01/2024

What is Puppy Socialization?

So many people think that puppy socialization focuses on playtime with other dogs. But that is an oversimplification and overlooks so many important aspects.

While puppy play can be beneficial, it has to be done properly. That means start slow as to not overwhelm your puppy. This is why dog parks are not a good choice for puppy play.

In addition, our puppies need to learn that they won't be allowed to play with every dog or person they see. So proper socialization also includes games that make it fun for them to pay attention to you, even while there are distractions around (including other dogs)

Socialization is exposing your puppy to new sights, sounds, and smell while building a positive association. If a puppy shows fear toward another dog (or anything else) we do not force the dog to be flooded, we give them enough space until they feel safe. then we can work to pair the trigger with things the dog finds rewarding.

Do not overlook introducing your puppy to different environments, surfaces, sounds, etc.

If your puppy is showing fear while you are working on socialization, we advise contacting a local trainer that can help get you on the right path.

19/01/2024

Did you work on step one (check out Wednesday's post if you missed it). Is your dog happily hanging out in the walking position? Then it is time to start taking a few steps!

In the beginning, you want to mark and treat every step you take. This will build a positive association with being in this position. You cannot make too good of an association here, so don't be stingy. And don't worry, once the behavior is solid, you will be able to treat less.

Still work in the house (with much of the country experiencing cold weather, this will likely be good news). As your puppy is successful, you can start building the behavior (starting with step 1) in increasingly distracting areas. Start slow though! Don't go from your living room to the dog park on a Saturday. Start up and down your driveway.

17/01/2024

Does your dog like to pull? Then it is time to practice some foundational exercises that will keep it simple and build the behavior you want!

Before you ever take a step out the door, you want to teach your dog or puppy where you would like them to walk. The first foundational exercise is position.

Start this in a low distraction area and keep training sessions short (1-2 minutes to start).

You can do a couple of these short sessions a day. As your dog is successful, you want to try to do a few sessions in other areas (still keeping distractions low).

Keep working with this exercise, and stay tuned for step two, later this week.

16/01/2024

Does your dog destroy everything? This month our trainer talks about some of her favorite tools and toys for dogs that are their own demolition zone!

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know if you have a dog-tested tool that held up to your dog's tough play!

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/ask-the-trainer-favorite-training-tools-and-toys-for-aggressive-chewers/

15/01/2024

Positive reinforcement is a reward-based training method that grows desired behaviors in dogs using what a dog finds reinforcing. It is based on the science of operant conditioning, which states that dogs learn to associate their actions with positive outcomes.

Studies show that dogs trained with positive reinforcement are more optimistic, better behaved, and have a stronger human-animal bond than dogs trained with aversive methods. We will post an article that references this in our comments if you would like more info.

If you are ready to get started, Dog Training Newbie has the info you need! Check out our Guide to Positive Reinforcement Training.

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/positive-reinforcement-training-101-how-to-do-it-right/

12/01/2024

Most of the country is awaiting severe weather! So how do you keep your dog busy when they can't be outside as much?

Tricks provide mental stimulation that will help your dog beat boredom. It also helps deepen your bond. We want to start you off with three easy tricks you can work on with your dog today!

*** Snow day bonus: Ask your dog to spin and bow on a towel when they come in from being outside to help dry off their paws!

*** SHARE PICS OF YOUR DOG DOING TRICKS WITH US ***

Are you looking for a quick, fun way to connect with your dog right now? Try our 3 tricks to teach your dog to see firsthand why practicing tricks is a great

10/01/2024

Coming when called is probably the most important behaviors to teach your dog, but it is often under trained. To get a reliable behavior, you have to build a solid foundation.

For coming when called, it is important to create a positive association with the recall cue, to build a reliable response.

Today we introduce step one: creating a positive association with the verbal cue and the behavior.

To keep things positive for your dog be careful not to use the recall cue when:
- You are going to do something your dog doesn't like (i.e.- baths, nail trims.
- Don't call your dog if you are not convinced your dog will respond.
- If you do call your dog and they don't come to you, when you do get to your dog, do not scold. Your dog will associate the scolding with being close to you, adding more challenges to your training.

For more training tips visit dogtrainingnewbie.com.

08/01/2024

January 8th is National Labrador Retriever Day!

The lab is a versatile breed that is consistently listed as one of the most popular breeds in the USA!

Pictured is DTN writer Devene's lab, Jenny. Jenny is a retired hunting dog that spent a year as a breeding dog for a scent detection program. After 10 puppies she retired. Now Jenny's favorite activity is dock diving. She lives in the north so, so she won't get to dive to celebrate today. Instead she will get some extra rounds of fetch.

If you have a lab, let us know what they would like to do to celebrate today. Better yet, share pictures with us!

08/01/2024

Have you struggled with crate training? Let's talk about it! From picking out a crate to making sure you are crate training correctly, we discuss it all in our Beginner's Guide to Crate

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/a-beginners-guide-to-crate-training/

07/01/2024

Training your new puppy can be overwhelming! Where do you start? What method do you use! We are here to help with all of it.

"How To Start Puppy Training Right" will walk you through four exercises with simple steps that will show you how much fun you and your dog can have while training.

While you're on our website, take a look around for advice on housetraining, crates, mouthing, and much more!

https://dogtrainingnewbie.com/how-to-start-puppy-training/

05/01/2024

Let's celebrate by teaching, or brushing up on, important cues.

Does your dog know their name? Do they respond each time you say it?

If they don't respond happily to their name, it is more difficult to get their attention to give them any other cues. It can be annoying at best, and dangerous at worst.

Make sure to create a positive association to your dog's name so when you say it, they are excited to seek you out. Follow these simple steps to build an enthusiastic response!

Training tips:
1. Start somewhere with little to no distractions, such as in the living room.
2. As your dog is responding reliably, you can do mini sessions in other rooms of the house.
3. Start identifying other locations that add a little bit more distraction. The porch? The backyard? You know your dog best, but these will likely be better places to start building an outdoor response than at the park.
4. If a dog doesn't respond, it might indicate that your dog is too distracted. You can work back up to this location.
5. Slowly start adding distance between you and your dog before calling their name.
4. Keep sessions short. Leave them wanting more.

03/01/2024

January is National Dog Training Month! Great training gives you more than just a well-behaved dog. It improves your bond and can help to keep your dog safe and happy!

Tell us what your training goals are in the comments below! And feel free to share pictures of your pup!

29/12/2023

New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration, but it can also be a stressful time for your furry friends. 🐶

The loud noises, bright lights, and unfamiliar smells of fireworks can trigger anxiety and fear in some dogs, making them restless, nervous, or even aggressive.

Here are some tips to help your dog cope to enjoy the new year with you!

21/12/2023

Looking for a cheap, easy and healthy snack for you dog? Try carrots! Freeze them for extra chew time!

19/12/2023

Our dogs may love a walk in a winter wonderland but be sure to keep the safe from the salt commonly used to melt ice!

Signs of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, lethargy, drooling, tremors, and disorientation.

For more information on the dangers of road salt, visit:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-tips/dog-ate-road-salt/

04/12/2023

Do you take holiday photos of your pets? We would love to see them! Share with us below!

22/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving!

20/11/2023

Looking for an online dog training class? Read this first!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic inspired many dog trainers to take their course offerings online, we have seen an explosion of online dog training classes.

07/11/2023

Let your dog sniff!

Then mix it up by adding some boxes to the game. Boxes are one of the easiest dog scent work tools. You can use any old boxes (or order a few things off your

31/10/2023

Wishing a stress-free Halloween for all of our furry friends, and their humans!

23/10/2023

Some great advice for our dogs this season!

With Halloween around the corner, you and your dogs may have spotted some spooky yard decorations. If you’ve found that your dogs are feeling unsure, uneasy, or downright fearful of those rightfully frightful features, we’ve got some tips for you! 👍

🎃 Approach with intention! 🎃

Find the distance your dog can notice the decor without feeling weird about it - they should appear comfortable without any barking or cowering. Give them treats for noticing the decorations, to show them that those spooky things bring them something good ❤ You can also let them approach at their comfort level, if they’re showing interest. Reward any brave or calm decisions they make.

👻 Go around it if it’s too hard! 👻

It’s okay if your dog isn’t ready to pass the big scary thing without cowering or barking at it! Get creative with how you’re moving through the environment. You can cross the street, turn around, or go a different route.

💀 Practice makes perfect! 💀

It’s okay if it takes some time to help your dog understand they can feel safe around holiday decor. Training a few minutes each day can be immensely helpful for building up their confidence! Reach out to us with any questions you have if there is something your dog is working through. We’re here to help!

Happy Spooky Season to you and your dogs! 🧡🖤