Howdy Hound Dog Training Co.

02/04/2024

Sometimes progress takes time, but it's absolutely still progress! Especially when working with behavior modification, it's important to remember to be progress oriented as opposed to goal oriented. Even if it seems slow, baby steps are still forward steps! One day you'll look back and wonder how you got so far ❤️

26/03/2024

Expectation is an important thing to be aware of when embarking on a dog training journey. Many times people can and do set themselves up for frustration and disappointment by only thinking of what expectations they have for their dog, and never taking into account the expectations the dog may have of the situation or environment. 

For example, if you have a reactive dog and live in a busy apartment complex, you may find that just stepping out your front door gets your dog revved up. This is likely because your dog has seen or run into enough dogs in that environment that he has the expectation that there is automatically going to be another dog outside, and so he's poised and ready right off the bat. If you want to set the expectation that your dog can calmly step out your front door and stay focused on you, you would first have to change the expectation your dog has about that environment. If you can address and change your dog's expectations, you can start working towards your own. 

Dogs see the world differently than we do, so it's important not to forget to think about how they perceive certain situations so that we can properly train in the context of any given environment! 

21/03/2024

When it comes to training your dog, it can be really easy to overdo it, either because your dog is doing so well you just keep going, or they aren't quite getting it so you keep trying. But our dogs actually tend to learn faster and make more progress with short, sweet, and consistent sessions, as opposed to long, drawn out, occasional ones. Dog training is a never ending journey, and baby steps are actually the secret to big progress. You'll be surprised how much faster things progress when you only focus on a little bit at a time!

18/03/2024

One thing I wish people did more of is research. In today's world, having a dog in your home has become a societal norm, so much so that few people do their homework beforehand on what it takes to have and keep a dog in their household, let alone what kind of dog would fit their lifestyle. And that matters... a lot. Specific dog breeds are bred for specific traits and purposes, and not all of those fit every home and lifestyle.
But I also get that the idea of sorting through all the dog breeds out there and all the things you should do and will need to have a dog can feel like a daunting task for a lot of people. So, instead of complaining that not enough people are doing their research, I decided to do something about it. I'll do the research for you!
So here is my offer to you- if you are thinking about bringing a new dog or puppy into your life, send me a message! I will have you fill out a questionnaire to get an idea of your lifestyle and dog preferences, and then based on your answers combined with my research, we will have a virtual meeting to go over what breeds I think would fit you best! Want to take it a step farther? I will help you find an ethical breeder or rescue to go find your new best friend. Then I will give you a customized protocol to set you and your new pup up for success as you begin your journey together.
For a limited time, I am going to offer my time, knowledge, and effort in this package for $250. So if you have been thinking about adding a new furry member to your family, send me a message or email at [email protected]!

17/03/2024

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Howdy Hound Dog Training! 🍀
We hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday!!! 💚

15/03/2024

Puppies are the cutest things on earth, but they can get overwhelming fast! Raising your puppy to be an upstanding canine citizen is a lot of work, and there's a lot to remember, but never fear- that's why I'm here!

If you have a new puppy or are planning on adding one to your life, let's work together to set both you and your new furry family member up for success! Whether it's potty training, socialization and exposure, leash training, enrichment, decompression, relationship building- anything a puppy would need, I can help you start your journey together on the highest note possible!
[email protected]

13/03/2024

Most people would rather have their dogs meet on leash, because you have more control that way, right? Not as much as you'd think. Your definition of control actually just adds a ton of tension to the situation. Two dogs meeting at the end of very tense leashes is a recipe for disaster. It would be like you meeting someone for the first time who already had their fists up. You'd be very tense, because who knows if you'll have to defend yourself?
Your dog, like you and most animals, has a fight or flight response when they feel threatened or intimidated by something. If they feel that way about another dog, and feel the tension of their leash, they know flight is no longer an option. And what does that leave them with? A dicey situation for everyone involved, and an experience likely to cause issues for you to fix later.
So next time you see another dog walking by, just remember that saying hi may not be the best way for your dog to make new friends. 🐶

12/03/2024

How is your dog's recall? I hear all the time, "my dog only listens when he wants to" when it comes to recall. Wanna know why that is? No, your dog doesn't have selective hearing, he's just motivated elsewhere! There are two things you should know about dogs when teaching recall: 1) they will repeat behaviors that bring them victories, and 2) they are opportunistic creatures and will pick whatever they find to be the most motivating thing to them in a given environment.
So what does that mean for your recall training? MAKE IT FUN!! Be exciting, cheer them on, turn up the enthusiasm, and use lots of rewards! Make coming back to you the best decision your dog could make for themselves, and be consistent! Be the most motivating thing for your dog! Oh, and use a leash 😉

04/03/2024

If you have been thinking about training for your dog, there is no better time than now to get started! Your first step? Follow this link to fill out our new client form! This will help us get a strong idea of what your goals are for your dog, and then we will be in touch to talk programs. I can't wait to work with you!

Please fill out as much information as possible regarding your home environment as well as your pet's life history, training background, diet, previous or ongoing medical concerns, and previous or ongoing behavioral challenges. If requiring urgent behavioral assistance, please text 913-240-1131 in a...

04/03/2024

I'm sure you've heard lots of dog trainers recommend against dog parks, because as fun as the concept may seem, in reality it's not the best idea. Dog parks are often great places for your dog to pick up bad habits, parasites or sicknesses, and potentially have bad experiences that can result in a lot of work for you to address later. But what can you do instead of taking your pup to the park to still stimulate them and have some fun? Here's some suggestions!

1. Long line hike- find a new trail to explore together! And don't forget your long line to give your pup some extra on leash freedom
2. Sniffspot- a great app that allows you to rent property for your dog to run, without the worry of running into other strange dogs
3. Find an open field to play some fetch or frisbee (on a long line!)
4. If your dog is ready for/comfortable in public spaces, take them on a walk through a pet friendly store they've never been in. There will be lots of new sights and smells to explore!
5. Schedule a private playdate with a dog or dogs you know your dog interacts with well.
6. Find a class near you to try a new sport or activity with your dog
7. Teach them new tricks! Tricks are just for fun, but they still work your dog's brain.
8. A solid game of tug- exhausting and fun!
9. Find an empty playground to take your dog to! Climbing on play equipment is fun, new, tiring, and great for confidence building too!
10. If you have a backyard or access to one, set up a new activity for them to try out there! A ball pit with treats in it, an obstacle course, or even just scattering their dinner in the grass for them to forage for.

To me, dog parks just aren't worth the risk. Plus, these activities will be much more conducive to you and your dog's relationship than running around with a bunch of strange dogs will be! Give them a try!

29/02/2024

Happy Leap Day y'all! Hope everyone does something fun with your bonus day! 🤠

#2024

28/02/2024

Before you try that next tiktok trend- don't. Your dog doesn't need to be tricked into drinking sparkling water or be tested on his "protection" skills out of nowhere or be chased by a crazy costume just for likes on the internet. Let's try to find ways to build relationships with our dogs instead of damaging them and traumatizing our best friends for clout. Please 🥲

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22/02/2024

Let's talk toys!

I hear all the time, "I don't know why he's so bored, he has so many toys in the house!" Well let me paint you a picture. Imagine your friend comes home with your favorite dessert. At first, you're stoked to be able to have it in the house. But imagine this dessert never goes away. Your friend keeps you well stocked and so this dessert is always available to you. Eventually, you will get bored with it. It's not special anymore. You probably want a different dessert, right? Because scarcity creates value.

The same type of thing can happen with your dog's toys. If they always have toys out and available to them all the time, they will lose their nuance and likely your dog will lose interest in them. So how do we help this? Here are some toy tips!

🐾If your dog has a lot of toys, rotate them out! Every week or two, swap out some of the toys for others you have been keeping hidden. This helps them stay more interesting to your pup, and can make them even seem new again when your dog hasn't seen them in awhile!

🐾Keep chew toys out of sight and out of mind to save for a time you need to keep your dog occupied! Having them out 24/7, your dog may or may not choose to chomp down on one. But if you save them for specific moments, they are much more likely to take to the chewing when you actually need them to.

🐾Save a couple specific toys for play with YOU. A certain ball or tug toy that only appears when you are going to be playing directly with your dog. Not only will this practice keep those toys super high value for your pup, but they will be stoked to have something that clearly signifies a fun time with mom/dad!

Everyone (including myself) loves to spoil their pups with new and fun toys and things to play with, which is great! But you can do it in a smart and specific way to keep your dog as excited for it as you are!

21/02/2024

Blessing your timeline with this gem to help you get over the mid-week hump 🤠

PS- look familiar? Zeke here inspired our logo! 🩷

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20/02/2024

You know who decides what is an aversive and what isn't??
YOUR DOG
Aversion is subjective. What one individual finds aversive another may actually like. I think brussel sprouts are aversive, but some people love them. One of my dogs thinks mud is aversive, the other is a little piglet. Neither of my dogs find their tools aversive, because they have been properly conditioned to be a productive and positive means of communication.
Tools are exactly what you use them for, so if your dog slinks away from theirs, it may be time to take a look at how YOU are using it, instead of blaming the tool itself. 

20/02/2024

Mr. Happy old man Max is a few sessions into his training program and absolutely killing it! He's got some awesome dedicated parents, and they are all doing fantastic working together! Even Vlad the cat is putting some reps in 💪🏼🐾 Can't wait to continue to see Max's progress!

19/02/2024

If you have a reactive dog, one important thing to remember is that you can help your dog in moments of stress by staying in control of your own emotions. Dealing with a reaction from your pup can be a situation of extremely high stress for both of you, and in the moment it can be hard to remember to keep yourself calm and collected. But dogs can sense what's going on at your end of the leash, and if you're panicked, they feel valid for freaking out too.
It can be a hard habit to build, but you have to train yourself to slow your thinking down enough to handle the situation as nonchalantly as possible. Nonchalance goes a long way with behavior modification, and you will be able to more efficiently address your pup's emotions and behaviors when you are in control of your own.

15/02/2024

Something that is important to remember, is that not every day has to be a structured training day for you and your pup. Not every day has to be a super entertaining day for your pup. It's okay, and sometimes even helpful, to have slow/lazy days. You and your dog both need to recharge sometimes! And no feeling guilty about it either! Neither you nor your dog are going to work well for each other if you're burnt out. So remember to take time to rest and decompress, and take care of yourselves 🩷🐾

14/02/2024

⚠️PSA: If you see a dog in public, leave it alone! 

Yes, we all love dogs. Yes, cute aggression is a thing, and sometimes you just have to squeal a little. But if someone is out with their dog in public, that does not give anyone else the right to interact with it unless permission is given to do so. You should absolutely NEVER approach, reach for, or otherwise mess with a dog you see in public unprompted. Point out the cute dog to your friends, you can say hi to the owner, and if you really truly want to pet the dog, ask! Just be ready to potentially take no for an answer (and remember, no is a complete sentence). Dogs may be out in public for many reasons- training, service work, socialization, or just for fun, but whatever the reason may be they deserve the respect of others to not invade their space. 

If you were out in public with a new purse, a cool sweater, a snazzy hat, or even your child, and someone reached to grab or stroke them out of the blue, you'd be uncomfortable, right? So why do we think it's okay to do this to dogs? Plot twist- it's not. All dogs deserve to get out of the house and have positive experiences, so let's keep it safe and respectful for them to do so. 

13/02/2024

Our dogs can get frustrated about a lot of different things and express that frustration in a lot of different ways. If you find yourself frustrated with something your dog is doing, take a moment to pause and ask yourself why they're acting out. Dogs don't cause you frustration on purpose, they just don't know how to deal with their own. It's our job to help them navigate that. 🐾

11/02/2024

It's Superbowl Sunday!!! 🏈
Howdy Hound wants to wish our Kansas City Chiefs the best of luck today! Let's bring home the big win!!! 💛❤️

Hey , if y'all need a team dog trainer when you get home, the off-season is the perfect time for it 👀

09/02/2024

Happy Red Friday Kansas City!!! ❤️💛
It's Superbowl weekend, and I know everyone is STOKED to see our boys in red kick some butt! But as exciting as the Superbowl can be for us, it can be stressful for our pups!
Either you're hosting the Superbowl, or you're going to be gone all evening. Either way, here's some tips to help make Sunday as easy for your dogs as possible!

🏈 It's an evening game, which means you have the whole day beforehand to get some energy out of your pup! Go for a long walk, play fetch or tug, or rent a Sniffspot early in the day to get the edge off

🏈 Now that you got the physical exercise taken care of, time to work your dog's brain! Mental stimulation is a must to help your dog feel satisfied and ready for the evening

🏈 Prep an enrichment activity! Something your dog can lick at, chew on, or work through during the game to help them relax, whether you give it to them while your gone (if it's safe for them to have unsupervised) or in their kennel during the party!

🏈 Make sure they have a calm, quiet place to escape the chaos of your party. A kennel with a blanket over it, a private room with some soft music on, somewhere to go away from the shouts of Chiefs fans (and y'all know we can get LOUD)!

🏈 Advocate for them with your guests if you need to. If you're dog isn't 100% confident with people in your home, make sure to have their back and not allow your guests to invade their space or overwhelm them. Don't want to have to worry about this part? Put them in their kennel for the party, they'll be perfectly alright with some time by themselves!

🏈 Watch out for the GameDay snacks! If your pup is out and about during the party, make sure there's not human food in their reach! No one wants to deal with doggy tummy troubles the day after the big game!
And one more thing...

LET'S GO CHIEFSSSSSSSSS!!! ❤️💛🏈

08/02/2024

I've seen a lot of dogs on social media lately who are being bombarded with "love" from their humans while throwing blatant signals that they want space. Our culture surrounding pet dog ownership has grown to the extent of forgetting what our dogs truly are - animals, and predators at that. This only does them a disservice because it leads people to have unfair expectations of how a dog should act and react.
You can love your dogs with your whole heart and soul, God knows I do, but learn to show them love in the ways that THEY like, not just how you like. Respect the animal in your home for what they are, while loving them for who they are.

07/02/2024

What are the absolute "must train" behaviors your dog should know? The list may not be what you think. Are you ready for this?
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YOU get to decide! Seriously, it's up to you. Don't mind that your dog jumps on you when they're happy? Then you don't have to fix it. Not competing in any obedience trials? Then your dog doesn't have to have a strict stare-a-hole-through-your-head heel. Like to allow your dogs to cuddle on the couch? Great, enjoy your snuggles!

However, if you have needs to address or goals for your dog, go after them! Need them to stop yanking you down the street on your walks? Hire a trainer to help teach you leash protocols. Want them to know how to roll over? A super cute party trick! Need them to be more confident out in public? Hire a trainer who understands how to address your dog's emotional state, to help you understand how to build that confidence!

I believe everyone should invest in training their dog, because the benefits are endless, but dog training is whatever you want or need it to be! Sure there are universals - like your dog shouldn't be attacking anyone unprovoked, and should be comfortable on a leash - but as far as what your dog needs to know to live happily with you day to day, that's up to you. Your dog is YOUR pet, so choose what will be helpful, fun, and beneficial to your lives together and get the ball rolling!

This is also why it's important when you work with a trainer to find someone who caters to your individual dog and situation. Training isn't a checklist you have to work your way down. It's individual and changes as your life does. Don't feel pressured by what your friend's dog can do or what you see dogs performing on social media. Work on what you and your dog want or need to learn to fit into your life - and if you aren't sure where to start, shoot me a message!

06/02/2024

You and your dog should be a TEAM. 
You may love your dog, but can you work together?
Can you advocate for them?
Do you trust each other? 
Do you have a productive relationship? 
Dog ownership should be so much more than simply having a dog in your home. Anyone can do that, but not everyone puts work into building a valued relationship with their dog - and everyone should. 

How can you tell if your dog values their relationship with you? Well, do they opt in to working with you on their own? Do they initiate play with you? Look to you for instruction or comfort? If not, don't panic, because there is never a bad time to to start building more value in your relationship with your dog. If so, fantastic! But don't stop there! There's always things you can do to enrich the bond between you and your pup. 

Building a productive relationship is the best thing you can do not only to improve your dog's life, but your own as well! Who isn't happier when their dog is? And it's not as complicated as you may think to take strong relationship building steps. If you're curious to find out more details about those steps, well, that's what good trainers are for! 😉

02/02/2024

Welcome to the official Howdy Hound Training Co. page! We are so excited to be launching and bringing a new era of dog training to the Kansas City area!