Newton’s Journey: From Aggression to Progress
Today, Newton went home after completing his five-week board & train program, and we couldn’t be more proud of the progress he’s made!
When Newton first arrived, he was showing signs of aggression, especially during his first week and a half. It was clear he needed structure, guidance, and the right environment to work through these behaviors. At his go home today, he was so excited to see his family, wanting to interact with all of us, including Ryan, who was in the same room with his moms. This level of comfort and confidence is a huge milestone for him.
Newton has truly come a long way, learning how to manage his emotions and focus his energy in more positive ways. It’s been an incredible journey watching him transform into a calmer, more balanced dog. His family now has the tools to continue his progress, and we can’t wait to hear about the new adventures he’ll experience at home.
Great job, Newton! You’ve shown us all what’s possible with consistency and commitment.
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Helping dogs and their families thrive, one step at a time.
Reigning Dog
Training Update: Scout’s “Place” WorkScout came to me already knowing the basics of “place,” but I wanted to take it further—teaching him that “place” means get on this mat and go into a down. This builds more structure and clarity, which is especially important for a dog like Scout, who gets easily distracted by every little thing: noises, other dogs, cats coming and going, and even cars driving by.During our session, I kept Scout leashed. If he decided to wander off and do his own thing, I could easily guide him back without having to chase him around. This kept the session controlled and focused.If you notice, I’m not rapid-firing commands like “place, place, place, place.” I say it once and then give Scout a chance to do it on his own. The more we repeat commands unnecessarily, the more dogs learn to wait for us to say it several times before they think we actually mean it. However, if Scout gets stuck in motion or freezes while heading to the mat, I’ll calmly repeat the command to remind him of what I’m asking.I also noticed that Scout used scratching as a way to avoid following through with what I was asking. Instead of letting that slide, I gave him a quick leash correction—scratch on your own time, dude! This helped refocus him on the task.As we practiced, Scout began to realize that going to the mat and lying down was the key to earning the reward. The more we repeated the sequence and gave him the opportunity to problem-solve, the faster he got it. By the end, his focus and understanding of “place” were significantly better.At the end of every training session, it’s crucial to give the dog time to process what they just learned. I always put Scout back in the crate for about an hour after training. This allows him to think about the session and mentally work through it. The next time he comes out, things will often go a lot faster because he’s had time to process and retain the information.This kind of work is all about
Meet Newton, Our New Board & Train Dog. Newton is here to work on some big challenges—primarily his aggression toward strangers, especially men. It’s easy for people to assume that a dog like Newton has been mistreated or hurt, but I can assure you that’s not the case. Newton comes from a loving home that’s had him since he was a pup; he’s just not used to being around men. Newton has already shown his discomfort around Ryan, even trying to go after him a few times. While I’ve been able to do a bit more with him, he’s still quite wary and stressed. However, the goal isn’t to force Newton to become a social butterfly overnight. Instead, we’re teaching him how to work through his stress in a healthy way without resorting to aggression. Not every dog needs to be the life of the party, but it’s important for Newton to learn that new people—men included—don’t have to be a threat. With patience, structure, and consistency, we’ll help him build confidence and find a better way to cope with his stress. Stay tuned for Newton’s progress!
Carhartt season! Robby was absolutely wonderful on his loose leash walk today.
Robby is a field Cocker who’s bred to do a job. These working breeds have been carefully developed for tasks like hunting, retrieving, and high-energy fieldwork. But when a dog like Robby ends up in a home without those specific outlets, their natural instincts can sometimes be misinterpreted as anxiety or frustration.The truth? Their DNA is saying, “I’m supposed to be doing something!” Without structure or purpose, this often leads to unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, destructive chewing, peeing in the house, and sometimes even aggression.Don’t rely solely on toys or puzzles to keep your dog busy. Real fulfillment comes from building a strong relationship through structure, clear boundaries, and purposeful activities.Here’s what that might look like:✅ Practicing calm behavior at thresholds (like waiting at the door or crate).✅ Walking in a structured heel instead of pulling ahead.✅ Holding a place command for extended periods.✅ Engaging in obedience drills or mental challenges during daily routines.These tasks don’t just give your dog a job—they develop trust, communication, and a balanced relationship. Robby is learning exactly that, and it’s amazing to see the transformation when a dog feels they have purpose and clear guidance.When you establish structure and boundaries, you reduce unwanted behaviors and create a happier, more confident companion. Enrichment is great, but it’s no substitute for the bond built through structure and leadership. #Reigningdog #DogTraining #FieldCocker #StructureEqualsFreedom
Now that Major understands how to place his two front paws on the bowl, we’re taking it to the next level! Using my body pressure, I’m teaching him how to move his back legs and swing into the heel position. This kind of precision work builds focus, body awareness, and strengthens our communication as a team. 💪✨
It’s amazing to watch him connect the dots and grow more confident with every session. Proud of this smart boy! #DogTraining #HeelPosition #Reigningdog #BodyAwareness”
Meet Major, Our New Board & Train!We’re kicking off Major’s training journey by using his mealtime to introduce him to a key foundational skill: learning to move his back end. This is such an important exercise because it helps set the stage for easier transitions into a proper heel position.During this session, I use treats and breaks strategically—throwing a treat out or giving him a break encourages him to reposition and try again. The goal is to guide him to problem-solve and build confidence in his movements. By the end of this session, Major put both paws on the bowl—a big win! That’s when I called it a day, leaving things on a positive note.This is just step one of the process, and I’m so excited to see how far this handsome boy can go! Stay tuned for updates on his progress.#BoardAndTrain #Reigningdog #DogTrainingJourney #FoundationSkills
Robby LOVES food, which gives us the perfect opportunity to practice the out command during meal times. Instead of guarding items he grabs, his family now has a simple, effective tool—just say out!Teaching dogs to let go of things willingly not only improves safety but also strengthens trust and communication. Robby is doing amazing, and is building a solid foundation for success!Who else practices the out command with their pups?#Reigningdog #TrainingForLife #BoardAndTrain
Robby’s Training Update: Leave It Like a Pro!One of Robby’s training goals is learning not to pick up things that aren’t his to have. Since resource guarding has been a challenge for him, we’re focusing on setting him up for success by removing the temptation and teaching him clear boundaries.By practicing when it’s okay to pick something up and when to leave it alone, Robby is building trust and confidence in understanding what’s expected of him. It’s all about communication and consistency!This approach ensures Robby feels secure, avoids unnecessary tension, and learns to make the right choices. Proud of his progress so far!Btw I’m still covered in paint😂#TrainingWithPurpose #RobbyTheGundog #ReigningDogs
Check out the video to learn more about my mission and how I’m here to help you and your dog live your best lives together! 💙#Reigningdogtraining #DogTraining #BoardAndTrain #DogCommunity #DogLife
Board and train Fergus is helping clean up the park.
For all of you that answered he needs to be in a down for the full place command, were 100% correct!
