Training Blog

To think that this dog was completely bonkers three weeks ago. Our three week training programs are the perfect remedy for puppy brain.

Does your dog become aggressive upon abrupt awakening? This may happen even when you are attempting to give your dog affection.

This is called the “Sleep Startle Reflex.” It is a very common reaction many dogs may display when they’re rudely awakened.

Our friend Scotty here has a bit of an extreme case. He may become reactive even during his waking hours. But his main issue is allowing his owner to pet him while he’s napping. Overall, he is in need of some desensitization to human contact.

In this video we are conditioning him with a “relax” command. When told to relax, he lies on his side, and goes into a submissive, calm state. As time goes on, we expect to bring more and more people into the training. Now if he is approached during a snap, Mommy can refer to the relax command. He knows that only an affectionate massage follows.

Excitable Pitty, anyone?

Training the place command can be a real lifesaver for a bull in a China shop.

Our goal is to train all dogs in accordance with The AKC Canine Good Citizenship criteria.

If we can get owners to handle there dogs at this level, the sky's the limit.

Took some intensive human/handler training,

But our buddy Cash is making some huge strides!

Before all of his training, Cash could not be trusted on or off leash with other #dogs

He was that stereotypical pit bull you’d see dragging their owner around, trying to savage another dog

This boy is truly reformed 😌

Words can’t express how much gratitude a dog trainer can get from seeing the hard work pay off.

So proud of this team right here!

Here is some Service Dog Training with a Springer Spaniel.

He will be certified as an anxiety service animal.

Here is a clip from one of my in-home dog training sessions. This Aussie puppy and his boy, make an excellent team.

People are always asking me, “how do I keep my dogs from fighting?”

The answer is simple. Yet it requires consistency and persistence. It's called, STRUCTURE!

Everyday that your dogs wake up, they’re fuel tank is brimming with energy. It is our job as owners and handlers to guide and regulate that energy. Giving our dogs tasks such as waiting at doorways or walking at our sides, is a form of this guidance

Everyday, mundane tasks turn into a daily ritual for the pack to perform together as a whole. We now wait on our beds while food is being prepared. This removes any points of contention during the excitement of feeding time.

Our overall roll within our pack becomes that of a calm yet assertive leader. When asked to sit, our dogs obey. Otherwise, with confidence, not anger, they are held accountable.

Structured direction throughout everyday, relays the message to our dogs that there is no social ladder to climb. The social ladder is YOURS, and it is on YOUR time.

When left to their own devises, dogs can turn a home into an utter shit show. Take back your home through a patience acquired only through knowledge and practice.

dog training is a lifestyle, not a quick fix.

HOW TO LEASH TRAIN A DOG?

There are some basic ground rules when training your dog to walk at your side. The first would be to never allow leash pressure. This is accomplished by teaching your dog the meaning of the leash. By this l mean that your dog knows to go with the leash, not against it. When you pull left, the dog goes left. When you pull back the dog stops and follows that pressure, etc.

The next rule would be to always make sure that your dog is focused on you, rather than anticipating where he wants to go.

This starts inside the house. From the moment you approach the front door to leave, Fido must be calm and focused on you. This can be done through ENGAGEMENT TRAINING (with food reward), or by simply changing direction. If your dog is pulling ahead, or veering off to the side, they are not focused on you. Using leash pressure, address any diversion from YOUR chosen path, and change direction. You may find yourself walking back and forth on your front porch for the next few walks, but with patience, your dog will learn to follow your lead.

The third, and most important, is for the owner/handler to follow through. If you are in a rush or not mentally prepared to make corrections, then it’ll be a waste of time. “IF YOU GIVE THEM AN INCH, THEY WILL TAKE A MILE.” Address every mistake, no matter how minuscule. Set those boundaries!

Here is some footage of Dog Trainer, Ben Gagne teaching LEASH PRESSURE to one of his 4 legged clients...

This is HOW TO TRAIN A DOG TO JUMP INTO THE HEEL POSITION

Here is an example of a motivated dog!

This Catahoula mix came to us with a whole list of problematic behaviors. These are some of the basic training exercises we use in our protocol for just about any case. Dog Trainer, Ben here is showing an example of what one week with us looks like.

Starting these two pup’s training on the right paw.

IF YOU MUST PET, PET UNDER THE CHIN!

It is not uncommon for #bites to occur due to a human's well intentioned error. Reaching hands over a #dogs head may be percieved as a danger or threat.

If you are working on #socializing a new #puppy, it is your responsibility to educate your volunteers on proper #bodylanguage and #doggyetiquette.

APPROACH FROM THE SIDE. NO HANDS OVER HEADS. (Or no hands at all).

This is a Boxer that will do just about anything for his tug. We had great time training with the touch pad!

Introduction to E-collar training with this Boxer Dewey! Mind you that his owners did a great job of laying the foundations. A dog must know all verbal commands before layering in the e-collar.

We had a blast on the East Coast. Definitely ready to get back to work back here in Arizona.

Structured walk at Thimble Islands, Branford, Connecticut. Plenty of beautiful distractions here for us to work on...

Working with these two Dogues

This is how we get dogs ready for service dog or emotional support certification.

Desensitization.

Just a bully hanging out in front of the dog park, creeping out all the other dogs...

How do I socialize puppies, fearful, and aggressive dogs?

Pack training!

By instilling a basic sit or down stay, we are able to better manage dogs while in the presence of others. We start by training stay. Then we add distractions like other dogs incrementally. This process not only desensitizes them to the presence of others, but it also teaches them that they are rewarded when dogs are near. In this case the dogs are rewarded with their toys.

Ask me how I get dogs to drop and leave tug toys???

By letting them win!

Who likes to play a game with someone that they know they can’t beat? Show your dog that you don’t want to steal his prize every time

he wins. Give him a chance to enjoy his victory. This will eventually lead to your pooch bringing the toy back for more fun.

Incorporating commands into games of tug like drop, sit and wait, will not only tire your dog out physically, but mentally as well. This will also strengthen the bond between you and your companion. Gain your dog’s undivided attention by becoming their source of play and affection.

How do I get my aggressive dog to stay calm around other dogs???

Key word, DESENSITIZATION.

This Australian Cattle Dog is terrified of other dogs. As a result she goes bonkers at the sight of fellow canines. This is the first time she has ever been able enjoy the presence of another puppy.

How do I exercise my dog mentally???

Creating obstacles that your dog must overcome to win a reward will help to meet your dog’s physical and mental needs. This hunting simulation is sure to get your dog looking shredded, while working them mentally.

Tyson came to us with very high prey drive, as well as aggression towards animals and humans. Functional activities like these help us to funnel this high energy into a positive outlet.

Here’s a highly driven bulldog working on some functional play as well as learning the “out” command.

How do I get my dog to bite on command???

Make it fun!

Believe it or not, getting your dog to turn on and off aggression is achieved through play. Reliable protection dogs are not blood thirsty beasts. They are well socialized and balanced.

Here’s my boy Argos getting a little bite work in with a fellow dog trainer out of Scottsdale, AZ.

Call to find out more about getting your dog to become a civil/personal protection canine.

Dog Training blooper with our buddy Bruno the Bulldog out of Peoria, AZ. This dog will fetch a ball no matter what the obstacle...

A little group training with the current pack here in Peoria, Arizona.

How do I get my puppy to stay???

By teaching them how to go to bed!

The “place” command is the foundation to obedience training. When your dog learns to stand still and wait for your cue, you are building fundamental communication skills. Introducing distractions while your dog builds this skill will help improve their behavior in public. Molly, the mini Australian Shepherd puppy, has a case of the wiggles. Watch as we work on the “place” command.

How do I teach my dog to lay down???

Many people have asked themselves, “why won’t my dog lay down?”

The answer is technique. What works for one dog may not work for another.

Max is one of those dogs that is hesitant to do just about anything. It proved to be nearly impossible to get him into the “down” position. Here are some steps you can take to get a reluctant dog “down” on cue.

Argos is my new Gold detector! This took about two months of imprinting and scent detection work. He has become an extremely valuable dog within those two months. Not that he wasn’t of high sentimental value before...

Let’s go find that Gold!!!

Max The Labrador Retriever that just wouldn’t lie down... These are the results after a training program with us. Your dog will know all verbal commands off leash, using only your voice. The relationship between you and your pup will grow stronger once you gain verbal stimulus control.

“Come, sit, down, YES!”

It is important to understand as dog owners that we must become the dog trainer. Dog Training is not some magical process. It is repetition and consistency with all people involved.

FOR THE BEST RESULTS AROUND, CALL THE BEST DOG TRAINER IN TOWN!