Khris Erickson Dog Training

08/07/2025

Most of the time, our dogs aren’t misbehaving—they just haven’t learned what we do want yet.

It’s easy to focus on stopping the things we don’t like, but lasting behavior change comes when we shift our attention to what’s going right.

✨ Catch them being good.
Did your dog lie quietly on their bed while you made lunch? Walk nicely on leash for a few steps? Choose not to bark at the squirrel? Reinforce that. Praise it. Give them a treat, or toss a toy, or just tell them they’re awesome.

Too often, we wait until something goes wrong to react—but our dogs are offering good behavior all the time. The more we notice and reward the things we do like, the more likely we are to see them again.

So the next time your dog does something that makes life easier, even for a moment?
Let them know. That’s training too. 🐾💛

07/07/2025

I am looking forward to working with Ziggy to help him get more comfortable when his people leave. Ziggy also has an "emotional support" sibling called Wally (Who looks a lot like him!) That will appear in the videos I review.

Contact me Through the link to my website on my profile if you need help with getting your dog to feel comfortable when left home alone. I'd love to work with you!

02/07/2025

Wait… it’s July already?! It must be—because the July newsletter just went out yesterday!

If you’d like it delivered straight to your inbox each month, you can subscribe by clicking the “subscribe” button in the newsletter. and entering your email address.

Beat the Heat with Nose-Driven Fun

01/07/2025

“Just this once” doesn’t mean much to your dog.

If you sometimes let them jump up when you're in workout clothes but scold them for it when you're in nice pants, it's going to be confusing. Dogs aren't great at reading the context the way we are. If a behavior is sometimes allowed, most dogs will assume it’s always worth trying.

That doesn’t mean you can’t have flexible rules—you can allow certain behaviors in specific situations. Maybe your dog is allowed on the couch only when invited. Maybe jumping up is okay only in the backyard during playtime. The key is that those rules are clear and consistent every time.

Being predictable is actually a kindness. Dogs thrive on consistency and routine. When the rules are stable, they don’t have to guess or worry about getting it wrong. You’re setting them up for success—and that’s one of the most loving things you can do.

28/06/2025

Momo's new home is perfect, with the exception that she can't handle being home alone. I am happy that I'll be able to get to know her and her owners, and help her develop the ability to relax after her humans walk out the door!

26/06/2025

I am very proud of Sophie. After three months of home alone training, she aced her first real life absence this afternoon! Sophie was completely relaxed on the bed for the entire 30 minutes while mom took one daughter to an activity and picked another one up.

It's so awesome when I get to see people get their lives back after separation anxiety training.

If your dog struggles with absences, I would love to help you! Contact me through the link to my website on my profile.

25/06/2025

Every moment with your dog is training—whether you realize it or not.

Yes, setting aside time for training sessions is great. But the way you respond to your dog in everyday life? That’s where the real learning happens. When your dog jumps up, barks, pulls, settles, checks in, ignores you, or chooses calm over chaos—how you respond in that moment teaches them what’s worth doing again.

Here’s the thing: dogs do what works. If a behavior gets them something they want (your attention, a snack, a chance to go outside), they’re more likely to do it again. That means reinforcement—especially the kind that comes from you—is incredibly powerful. Probably more powerful than you realize.

And punishment? It might stop something in the moment, but it doesn’t teach your dog what to do instead. Positive reinforcement, combined with good management (like setting up the environment so your dog can make better choices), creates lasting behavior change and builds trust.

So even outside of “training time,” your dog is learning. And so are you.

24/06/2025

Everyone say hi to Otis! 🧡 This sweet little beagle started separation anxiety training yesterday, and I’m so excited to be part of his journey.

With a name like Otis, it just fits that he’s got a soulful way about him.

If your dog struggles with being home alone I would love to help you! Contact me through the website link on my profile.

20/06/2025

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲?

Whimsy scented something in the grass and made a beeline for it, pulling the leash tight as she went.

I said her name.
She paused.
Turned around.
And came right back to me.

It’s a short clip, but this kind of moment matters. A dog who responds to their name can be interrupted before they dive headfirst into trouble—whether it’s chasing wildlife, eating something questionable, or stepping into the street.

Name recognition is a simple skill, but don’t underestimate how useful it can be. It’s often the first step to getting your dog’s attention in a distracting or potentially risky situation.

If your dog doesn’t respond to their name reliably, that doesn’t mean they’re stubborn—it probably just means they haven’t had enough practice in the right way. Start by saying their name in quiet moments, and reward them when they look at you. Then slowly work your way up to more distracting environments.

Make it worth their while to check in with you. That’s what turns a name into a cue—and a cue into a habit.

18/06/2025

I get to work with Jackson Browne. Okay, not Jackson Browne the musician, but an extremely cute namesake!

If your dog struggles with being home alone without you, I would love to work with you and your dog to develop separation coping skills. You can contact me through the website link in my profile to learn more about what I can offer.

17/06/2025

If your dog "never listens" or "won’t pay attention" to you…
Have you ever considered that maybe you’re the one not paying attention?

A lot of dogs check in with their people throughout the day—glancing up on walks, looking back during play, quietly sitting nearby—and get zero acknowledgment in return.

But if they only ever get noticed when they’re barking, jumping, or pulling on the leash… that’s what they’ll keep doing. Why? Because that’s when you engage.

If you want more attention from your dog, start noticing the moments they’re already giving it to you. Mark it. Reinforce it. Make it worthwhile.

The more you reward calm check-ins and quiet attention, the more of it you’ll get.

Your dog wants to connect with you—make sure you’re showing up for them too.

13/06/2025

I’m a little sad that today was my last session with Bowie and his mom—but honestly, I’m mostly just proud. These two have come so far!

🐾Bowie no longer lunges at cars when he’s out on walks (huge win!). Chipmunks and squirrels are still a bit exciting, but we’re chipping away at that—pun fully intended.

🐾He’s also crushing short out-of-sight stays, which means he can hold a stay while Mom disappears for a few seconds.

🐾Recalls? Not perfect, but pretty good.

🐾And today we started something new: getting the food away from the handler. We had treats hidden in all kinds of places—on tables, window ledges, random shelves—and when Bowie heard a “good boy,” Mom would walk over to one of those spots to grab the reward. He handled it like a pro.

The best part? His person said they might bring me back in a few months for some brush-up sessions. Fingers crossed—that would make my day!

If you're within 30 minutes of Ixonia, WI and could use some help with your dog, get in touch—I’d love to chat about how I can support you both. You can contact me through the link to my website in my profile.