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Dog training and behavior instruction from the world's best, when and where you need it.
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30/08/2024

1️⃣ The Right Training Philosophy

Dog training has come a long way over the last few decades. Understanding your trainer’s philosophy gives you insight about their methods. Do they talk about positive reinforcement and harnessing motivation? Do they use correction-based methods? Are their training methods consistent with what they’re saying?

2️⃣ Flexibility

Dogs are individuals, which means they’re motivated by different things. And motivation itself can be flexible and context-dependent! A good trainer understands how to adapt their methods and teaches you to understand what motivates your dog in any given moment. If your dog isn’t motivated by conventional reinforcers (ie. Food), your trainer shouldn’t make you feel like your dog needs to change.

3️⃣ Good Communication and People Skills

Your dog trainer should have a good rapport not only with your dog but with you as well. You should be able to express concerns or frustrations that you might have with the training process, and trust that your dog trainer will hear you and be able to answer your questions. And you should exit the training sessions feeling confident that you’ll be able to teach your dog something new.

4️⃣ Patience and Empathy

Dog training can be a grind. A good trainer sets reasonable expectations and doesn’t rush the training process or promise a quick fix. Not to mention, dogs and humans can have off days - your trainer understands that mistakes are part of the learning process, that progress isn’t always linear, and can keep the whole team motivated to continue.

5️⃣ The Right Education and Qualifications

Start your search for a trainer by seeing what kind of qualifications they hold. Common certifications are the CPDT-KA and the KPA, which indicate that they follow ethical, science-backed dog training methods and have agreed to uphold certain professional standards. Then, narrow your search further by seeing which trainers have the kind of experience you’re looking for.

Have you had a good or bad dog training experience? Drop a comment and tell us your story below 👇

18/08/2024

✨ share tips on getting your dog to use these beds pls ✨

Is Jane demure?

16/08/2024

He bit into a pill once and never forgave me 🥲

Real talk: Gadget’s aversion to taking food from me in this context (and only this context) is a great example of single event learning. Although he’s eaten tons of treats without a problem, one negative incident was enough for him to develop persistent anxiety about it. This is a temporary solution; as Gadget relaxes and stops dissecting the first decoy cream cheese ball, I’ll start fading the decoys out.

Fun fact: Gadget started out on pill pockets, then this happened so we switched to peanut butter. Then peanut butter betrayed him so here we are, trying to keep this cream cheese train going.

18/06/2024

If they made a movie about your dog, what would the title be?

11/06/2024

Today is World Pet Memorial Day, so we thought we'd share some ancient tributes to beloved dogs whose owners grieved their loss.

Do you have a story of your own pet you'd like to tell? Share it with us in the comments below ❤️‍🩹

07/06/2024

Hint: it's not a poodle

31/05/2024

just had its inaugural flight with its first pack of pups on board! If you're looking into flying with your pup, we've got answers to questions you've always wondered about but never thought to ask.

Got anymore questions? Drop them in a comment below and we'll dig up the answer for you!

07/05/2024

Comment if you're actually a cat

30/04/2024

Dogs can be found in approximately 65.1 million US households. Cats aren't far behind them in popularity either, coming in at 46.5 million households.

If you believe pop culture, cats and dogs are at each other's throats. The reality is a lot simpler: cats and dogs are different animals. It takes time for them to get used to each other, but if that's a priority for you, socialize your pets early on to other species and reward them for being calm.

What are some of your favorite (or least favorite) dog myths?

29/04/2024

Honestly…some of her most relatable work yet. Which track is your dog going to howl along to?

23/04/2024

Which one are you? 🐩 🐕 🐶

15/04/2024

Canine dementia, also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), is present in an estimated 50 percent of dogs over the age of 11. Initial symptoms are mild and can sometimes be dismissed as normal indicators of aging, but as the disease progresses, symptoms worsen significantly. Catching CCD early can make a significant impact on prognosis and lifespan, and treatment should begin as soon as possible. Exercise and mental enrichment can help prevent or treat CCD.

08/04/2024

Once the race was over, Lindnord and his team took Arthur to the vet where he was treated for injuries and exhaustion. Lindnord eventually adopted him and took him to Sweden where Arthur lived out his days as a family pet to Lindnord, his wife, and his two children.

Lindnord wrote a non-fiction book about Arthur’s story, titled “Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed a Jungle to Find a Home.” This book was adapted on-screen into the 2024 movie “Arthur the King.”

And, much like the title implies, Lindnord did name his dog after King Arthur.

“Even if he was wounded and really damaged, he still had this aura around him,” Mikael told ESPN. “So, I think he deserved the name Arthur. Like a king.”

05/04/2024

Pippa before, during, and after.

01/04/2024

This April Fool’s day, we thought we’d share the story of when a wolf (unintentionally) pulled a prank on these three men.

In all seriousness, glad that the wolf made a full recovery and went on to live his best wolf-y life.

05/03/2024

Asked AI to draw a diagram of a dog…what’s your favorite part? Mine is probably “furt/loiid” pointing directly at the butt.

02/01/2024

Happy New Year 🥳

If you've decided to make some resolutions this year, swipe through for some things that dog training has taught us about setting and achieving goals.

Don't forget: positive reinforcement works on humans too, not just dogs!

26/12/2023

Happy Holidays from Gentle Beast! Starring some of our pups: Laszlo, Jane & Ellie, and .callie.girl 🎄

19/12/2023

If you're used to relying on dog parks or dog daycares to get your dog's energy out, swipe through for some tips on how to handle exercising your dog while keeping them safe during this canine RSV outbreak.

Shout-out to everyone who walks their dog five hours a day just to get some peace and quiet at home.

12/12/2023

As you may already be aware, an unknown respiratory virus has been affecting dogs nationwide. Cases have been reported in 16 states.

The virus is thought to spread via close contact and breathing in the same air as an infected dog. During this holiday season, vets are recommending that people limit their pet's contact with other dogs, quarantine any dogs that are showing symptoms, and avoid placing their dogs in group boarding situations or visiting the dog park.

Although the initial symptoms look similar to kennel cough, vets emphasize that affected dogs decline rapidly in health and recommend immediate vet attention.

Stay safe and stay informed, everyone!

30/11/2023

Head over to any of our partnered rescues (tagged on each page) to learn more about each pup or check out their other available dogs!

Muriel:

Jaxon:

Keywee:

Cookie Crumb:

Jay & Ted:

Sofie:

With senior dogs, what you see is what you get. As every puppy owner knows, raising a dog from 8 weeks requires a large time and energy investment. Senior dogs, however, usually are already housetrained, are not inclined to destructive chewing, have lower energy requirements, and have already developed their adult personalities. All they’re looking for is someone to lavish them with attention, a warm spot on the couch to nap, and regular walks where they can stare at squirrels or sniff around.

29/11/2023

We’re thrilled to announce that Gentle Beast has partnered with Rainwalk Pet Insurance () and The Pets Table () to bring you Pet Parent Perks!

Sign up for Rainwalk Pet Insurance and receive:

🐾 A lifetime discount on your pet’s policy
🐾 A free month of Gentle Beast
🐾 60% off your first order from The Pets Table

Head over to our bio for the link 💕

27/11/2023

Meet Stache, the Sealyham terrier that won Best in Show this year at the National Dog Show. This funny, bright-looking little dog beat out a German shepherd, a Great Dane, and other competitors, taking home a title and catapulting the Sealyham terrier breed back into the limelight.

Once one of the more popular terrier breeds, the Sealyham terrier is now considered endangered—in 2008, only 43 new puppies were registered with the Kennel Club (UK). The drop in numbers sparked a campaign (SOS: Save Our Sealyhams) that, sadly, did not lead to a dramatic increase in new litters and puppies.

The Sealyham terrier dates back to between 1850 to 1891, when Captain John Edwardes decided to develop a small dog that could be used for pest control and hunting small game. Although Edwardes did not keep records, we do know that the Sealyham terrier counts Welsh Corgi, wire Fox Terriers, and the extinct English White Terrier among its ancestors.

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23/11/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Gentle Beast!

24/10/2023

Despite the rain (and the threat of cancellation), this past Saturday saw approximately 15,000 dog owners and lovers line up for the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. A grand total of 600 dogs attended, dressed in costumes that paid homage to scary movies, memes, and of course Barbie.

Pookah the Pomeranian, whose head you can see peeping out of a honey jar, took home the grand prize. Swipe to see some of our favorites ➡️

Did your pup walk the parade? Comment and let us know!

Images courtesy of

04/10/2023

did anyone else get this

14/09/2023

In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center, media coverage focused on the efforts of search and rescue (SAR) dogs and their handlers as one bright spot. Images of dogs working round-the-clock captivated the imaginations and hearts of Americans.

Before 9/11, the average American only vaguely conceptualized working dogs as herding dogs or police dogs. Disaster and crisis response dogs were unheard of in the American mainstream. At the time, few teams were prepared for an emergency of this magnitude, and even fewer were trained to work in chaotic urban environments.

While SAR and cadaver dogs were deployed to Ground Zero to find survivors, therapy dogs provided much-needed comfort and relief for the responders. Many therapy dogs, used to working nursing homes and hospitals, struggled to adapt to the environment and were too stressed to continue, but Tikva, a Keeshond, was specifically trained for crisis relief, and she along with a select few continued to work alongside firefighters, police men, and other workers.

Because of 9/11, Therapy Dogs International (TDI) realized the need for dog-human teams that were prepared for disaster relief efforts. Therapy dogs have since been sent to help survivors of Hurricane Katrina, mass shootings, and other traumatic events.

While no one can predict the future, interest in therapy and working dogs has risen dramatically in the decades since. Many teams work on a volunteer basis. Therapy and working dogs can be found among all kinds of breeds and come from varied backgrounds—for example, Jake was a stray, but proved to be such an excellent working dog that he helped train other dogs and handlers in his later years. If you’re interested in training your dog for therapy work, search and rescue, or other tasks, contact your local organization to see how to get started.

28/08/2023

Have you ever noticed that round marking on top of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s head? Not every CKCS boasts a Blenheim spot, as that marking is known, but if your dog has one, give them an extra special pat—just like Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, is said to have done.

On the eve of the Battle of Blenheim, the Duke of Marlborough was far from home and preparing for war. His wife, Sarah Churchill, had remained behind in part to care for one of their beloved dogs who was due to give birth. Unable to distract herself from her worries, Sarah Churchill spent the night stroking her dog’s head and resting her thumb on the dog’s forehead. When the puppies were born the next day, each had a thumbprint right where she had touched their mother’s head.

This anecdote isn’t exactly supported by science, but it does tell us a few things: namely, how beloved the CKCS was. They were named after King Charles II, mostly because he loved them so much.

Like many dog breeds, the CKCS was bred to fulfill a specific purpose: acting as a furry hot water bottle. They enjoyed spending hours lying next to humans to keep warm. Supposedly, they also had a secondary job as fleabait, attracting fleas away from their humans. 🤢

The CKCS looks very similar to the King Charles Spaniel, an offshoot that was crossbred to pugs. The CKCS faced extinction until Roswell Eldridge held a contest in 1926 hoping for spaniels more similar to the ones of King Charles II’s era. Eventually, the CKCS and the King Charles Spaniel were recognized as two distinct, separate breeds.

23/08/2023

Wandiligong (Wandi for short) made headlines in 2019 when he crashlanded—quite literally—into Jane Guiney’s backyard. Clawmarks on his back suggested that the five-week old puppy had been snatched by an eagle, explaining his mysterious appearance. And as an extra special twist on the story? Genetic testing proved that Wandi was an endangered purebred alpine dingo, devoid of any evidence of domestic dog DNA—very exciting for conservationists, who have been working to protect the species from extinction.

Wandi was taken to the Dingo Discovery Center where he was raised by an older female dingo, eventually bonded and mated with another dingo named Hermione, and had pups of his own. His life story inspired a children’s book (Wandi by Favel Parrett) and he boasts 59k followers on his Instagram page —and, like all social media stars, he’s even got his own merch line.

The Australian dingo straddles the line between wilderness and civilization. While they are considered domestic dogs and can be tamed and kept as pets, they are also colloquially referred to as feral or wild dogs. They seem to chiefly hunt kangaroos, but can chase and attack anything that they deem incapable of fighting back—and yes, this does occasionally include humans. (Infamously, it took 30 years for Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton to prove that a dingo really did eat her baby.)

Dingoes raised around humans can be tame and safe to handle, which makes them popular sights in zoos that are eager to draw attention to the issue of crossbreeding and hybridization. Kep-Kep and Warada, a pair of puppies brought to the Taronga Zoo, help connect guests with wildlife affected by the Black Summer bushfires.

Conservationists tend to concern themselves with preventing crossbreeding between dingoes and pet dogs. K’Gari, also known as Fraser Island, has a small population of genetically distinct dingoes that attracts tourists from around the world.

31/07/2023

In honor of National Mutt Day, here’s a list of some famous mutts and how they ended up making history, one way or another.

🐶 Laika: The first living creature to enter space, Laika was a stray who rode a rocket into orbit in 1957 aboard Sputnik 2. Laika was selected among a pack of female stray dogs chosen for their smaller size and docility, and trained to accept confinement and to eat gels. Scientists initially introduced Laika as Kudryavka (Little Curly), but she barked on radio and earned herself the moniker Laika (Barker) after. She spent her last night on Earth in the home of one of her handlers. Unfortunately, scientists had no expectations that she would survive her space flight, and she died soon after launch.

🐶 Spike: Adopted by Frank Weatherwax (who also trained the dogs that played Lassie), Spike was an enormous Lab/mastiff max that attracted attention for his friendly, lovable temperament and trainability. Producers were doubtful that he could convincingly act out Old Yeller’s final moments as he succumbed to rabies, but Spike proved equal to the task. He also went on to act in A Dog of Flanders and appeared in The Mickey Mouse Club and Lassie.

🐶 Owney: Found abandoned in an Albany post office, Owney loved riding on and sleeping on mail bags. Postal clerks eventually adopted him as a good luck charm, since no train that he rode on was ever in a wreck. To help with identification, they also bought him a dog collar and added tags everywhere he went, which eventually morphed into a jacket that became too heavy to wear. Owney traveled through Asia and Europe on USPS’ behalf, accumulating over 140,000 miles over the course of his lifetime.

🐶 Tongdaeng: Called by her doting owner “a common dog who is uncommon,” Tongdaeng was a mixed breed puppy that the King of Thailand adopted and raised. Eventually, King Bhumibol Adulyadej wrote a biography about her life called “The Story of Tongdaeng,” understood by many to be a parable on social topics. Tongdaeng and her puppies were also featured on Thai postage stamps issued in 2006.

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Throw your dog an eco-friendly shredding party (and break down your cardboard boxes into small manageable chunks). Everybody wins! #dogtraining #doggames #positivereinforcementdogtraining

Beethoven’s last movie came out in 2022, making him at least 22 years old and very much in the prime of his life. No, we will not be accepting criticisms of this statement. #dogtraining #dogtok #famousdogs #beethoven #saintbernard

Does your dog need some decompression time? Stress signs in dogs can be subtle! Look for: ❗️Yawning ❗Tucked tail or pinned back ears ❗Excessive panting ❗Lip licking ❗Shivering or panting ❗Growling ❗Crouched or hunched body language If you’re worried about your dog’s stress, take them on a ✨decompression walk✨ Trainers recommend giving your dog time to decompress after a stressful event, such as Fourth of July. During the event, setting your dog up with a quiet, dark place helps them feel safe and secure. Once the celebrations are over, take your dog out on a slow-paced stroll. Remember: dogs are all about the journey, not the destination. Sniffing releases dopamine, lowers your dog’s pulse rate, helps them feel more optimistic, and gives them an opportunity to practice autonomy and decision-making. Look for calm, methodical sniffing accompanied by relaxed, open body language. #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #fourthofjuly

My greatest dream in my 20s was to have two pugs and name them Wonton and Potsticker. This dream has yet to materialize so let me live vicariously through other people’s dog names pls. Drop your favorite in the comments 👇 #dogtraining #dogtok #dognames #nationalpetday

View all our games in the Gentle Beast app (link in bio) “Red Light Green Light” gives your dog an opportunity to practice being able to control themselves and listen to you while in a highly excited state. In short, it teaches impulse control. In the long run, it helps reward your dog for interacting with you instead of being distracted by their surroundings - very important if you ever want to take your dog off-leash! #dogtraining #dogtok #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementdogtraining

Poor Millie. #dogtraining #dogtok #rescuedog

What happened to the stars of Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey? 🦮 Ben: resumed work as a therapy dog and became Delta Society’s 1993 celebrity spokesdog 🐶 Rattler: became a sniffer dog for the fire department 🐱 Tiki: went on to be cast in the NBC sitcom “Caroline in the City” and toured with Maui, the canine star of “Mad About You” Although Shadow, Chance, and Sassy encounter dozens of hazards throughout their journey, the movie employed dozens of handlers and animal puppets to ensure that all animals were safe throughout. Many of the wilderness scenes were shot in the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. Dogs and trainers walked, while nine cats were placed in carriers strapped to pack mules (and were apparently incredibly vocal in their displeasure). Working with both dogs and cats presented certain challenges, but the animals spent so much time working together that they bonded and became affectionate towards each other. In this way, they followed in the pawprints of the real life pet trio, immortalized by the author and their owner Sheila Burnford. Unusual for most dog movies, Homeward Bound explores Chance’s reluctance to bond with his new family and touches on the trauma around abandonment. Although Chance’s emotions are heavily anthropomorphized, it’s true that newly adopted rescue dogs can take several weeks to relax and bond with their new families. . . . #dogtraining #dogsinfilm #homewardbound #dogsofinstagram #goldenretrievers #americanbulldogs

Welcome to the fourth and final week of the Tricks for Treats Training Challenge! Start the New Year and National Train Your Dog Month with a fun, interactive Challenge. ButcherBox For Pets, Gentle Beast and Peach on a Leash have teamed up for our Tricks for Treats Training Challenge starting January 8th. Join us each week in January as we walk you through different tricks to teach your dog. One lucky winner will receive: ✨Butcher Box: 12 months of boxes ✨Peach on a Leash: 2 1:1 virtual sessions ✨Gentle Beast: Annual Subscription How to enter: 1️⃣ Sign up for our challenge email (link in bio) = 1 point 2️⃣ Post a video of completing our weekly challenges = 2 points each week (8 points total) 3️⃣ Share the video on your stories = 1 point (4 points total) 4️⃣ Must tag all three brands each time on your reels and story posts (@gentlebeastpets, @peachonaleash, @butcherboxforpets) #challenge ends 2/5 at 11:59pm EST and winners will be notified via DM. This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. Open to U.S. residents only. We will contact the winner via DM or email on 2/9. #dogtraining #tricktraining #contest

Present throughout filming was John Freed, a representative from the American Humane Association. Freed acted as an independent onlooker who ensured the wellbeing of all animal actors. Filming presented other challenges: namely, set design. The dogs and puppies were noticeably shorter than their human coworkers, and the puppies struggled to navigate the sets comfortably and safely. The director chose to create two sets: one designed for the dogs and one for the humans. Although the movie took measures to avoid working with breeders that intentionally produced litters for the movie, the success of the film led to 101 Dalmatians Syndrome. After the movie’s release, thousands of families purchased Dalmatian puppies, many of whom were abandoned or given to shelters when they proved challenging pets. When the live-action sequel 102 Dalmatians was released in 2000, Disney worked with the Dalmatian Club of America and the Humane Society to educate the public about the Dalmatian’s specific needs and encourage responsible pet ownership. . . . #101dalmatians #dogtraining #dogsofinstagram #dalmatians #disney

For a species we call man’s best friend, there are a lot of things about dogs that take us by surprise. Got any fun facts about dogs you want to share? Or maybe a fun fact about YOUR dog? Drop a comment and let us know! #dogsofinstagram #dogtok #dogtraining

Success is all about mindset. #dogtraining #dogtok

One day you’ll look back on these chaos puppy days and feel nostalgic…but until then RIP peace and quiet 🥲 #dogtok #dogtraining #imjustken

Tag a friend whose dog believes that personal space is a myth and bathroom breaks are a shared experience 🥰 #dogtok #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining

Would you trust these reindeer to lead your sleigh? 🤔 #dogtok #christmasiscoming #dogsofinstagram

Millie caught that pickle on the first try...was that really worth it? TBH I’m in complete agreement with Bruce, I’ll eat cucumbers all day but pickles belong in the trash (sorry not sorry). . . . Pickles are safe for dogs to eat, although not all dogs are thrilled at the prospect. They have all the same health benefits as cucumbers plus some added probiotics from the fermentation process. Since they’re high in sodium, they shouldn’t feature heavily in your dog’s diet (Bruce agrees with this). #dogtok #picklechallenge #rescuedog

Which ones do you think were the best or worst attempts? . . How much does breed matter in dogs? AI’s rendering of Bruce was probably the least accurate result, despite having the most accurate information. To render it, I used Bruce’s DNA results and asked AI to tell me what that would look like, then chose the most accurate one from there. As you may have noticed, Bruce and Brucée look almost nothing alike. On the other end of the spectrum is Jane. I threw her actual DNA results out the window and just picked whatever breeds she looked most like, regardless of her actual mix. Jane is actually mostly terrier, but I told the AI to render a mixed breed Italian greyhound with a brindle coat. Like AI, humans tend to judge breed based on appearance. And, honestly, we’re no better at it than AI—any thin, long-legged dog gets called “Greyhound mix,” while shaggy, prick-eared dogs are deemed “Shepherd mixes.” Does that mean breed has no impact whatsoever? Of course not—Jane is reactive with high prey drive and loves to destroy her toys. Once we understand that these are classic terrier behaviors, the focus shifts to giving her appropriate outlets for her natural instincts rather than extinguishing them entirely. The main takeaway is that genetics don’t always influence behavior and personality in a straightforward way. A dog that is 50/50 will not express exactly 50 percent of each breed. See Gadget, a Bernese Mountain Dog/Poodle mix that has most people guessing he’s some sort of Collie/Great Pyrenese combo. And, of course, every dog is an individual. The story that breed tells is just a generalization. The specifics of your dog is influenced by their innate temperament, their history, and their relationship with you. Always train the dog in front of you. . . #dogtraining #dogtok #positivereinforcementdogtraining #aifilter #rescuedog

Scary season is among us and there’s nothing scarier than BEDBUGS. (Do you let your dog sleep in bed with you? Raise your hand if you belong to a select group of pet owners that desperately want their dog to cuddle at night but get rejected every time 🥲) #dogsoftiktok #dogtok #rescuedog

Barking is your dog’s natural way to communicate. They might be expressing their emotions (excitement, fear, loneliness) or trying to alert you to something in the environment (the mailman, a squirrel, etc). Some dogs bark when playing, while others bark to warn each other away. You can learn to understand your dog by taking a look at the context while also paying close to attention to their body language. (Voice effect filter can be found on Tiktok under Trickster.) #dogtraining #dogtok #rescuedog

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT roo roo roo In order of appearance: Jane, @the.callie.girl, and Millie! #dogtok #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining

Gentle Beast SVU #dogtok #dogtraining #positivereinforcementdogtraining

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