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Sometimes the easiest way to answer a question is by asking a question back. how long until a human is fully trained? Or to put the same question a different way: how long do we give an athlete, a scientist, a musician to be fully trained? We often forget that dogs are incredibly complex beings that have needs of their…

One of the most beautiful things about raising a dog is experiencing the growth both physical and psychological that they go through. We can all agree that (for most dogs at least) the puppy behaviors change rather quickly and sometimes your dog’s behavior will be stable for months and then all of a sudden changes start to happen. That (leaving…

Human beings are social creatures and have found a way to understand each other’s body language in the most subtle ways. It is said that 80% of human communication is non verbal. So we can detect and understand a fearful position anywhere. Dogs can do the same thing. However that is where the closest parallels of behavior stop when it…

Have you decided that dog training is the profession for you? You have seen all the videos, practiced with your own dogs at home. Did workshops, volunteered… in short did your homework. You have found that your connection with dogs is absolutely unique, unparalleled. Dogs just get you and you get them. So you are ready to become a dog…

Hi there, just thought about doing a quick blog to once again remind anyone that has decided to get a puppy, that has just gotten a new puppy or is thinking about getting that absolutely gorgeous little puppy that was on your social media feed: you will need to potty train your pup. As a rule of thumb, puppies do…

One of the things I am most proud of in my life is my ability to speak dog. To be clear, there are many trainers that say they speak dog, but most of them use the term to mean that they can teach a dog commands in a quick and easy way. I cringe at the use of the term…

Imagine you are at your favorite cafe, enjoying a sip of your most beloved beverage, the sun is shining and all is well in the world. You are relaxed and simply present with all that life has to offer. From the corner of your eye you spot Becky walking in. Becky, the one person that you simply can not stand…

Fight and Flight State of the Mind One of the most fundamental ways that a dog lover can become relevant to a dog is with the comprehension of the four state of minds. The understanding that a dog can only have four responses to stimuli is the foundation of being able to communicate effectively with them  These states of mind…

A friend and her dog came to stay with me recently. Her dog’s name is Doodle, she is 14 years old. When my friend spoke to me about Doodle, it was almost always in downcast way: “She’s done. These are her last days. I just want to spend as much time as I can with her.” Being someone that has…

Often times when people bring a dog to training, they expect immediate results. A common refrain is, “wow, 3 weeks of board and train is a very long time”. Can my dog learn how to open doors, sit on command, stop chewing on everything, lunging at people, peeing in the house, jumping on guests, walk without pulling, come when called,…