Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

​If you decide to bring home an adult dog you may have different expectations than if they were a puppy.  Maybe they're already potty trained and crate trained.  They don't have as much energy. Maybe they're out of the chewing stage.  These expectations can lead to some trouble when we first bring them home.  Just like with a puppy, we still need to make them feel safe while they get to know us and we get to know them.For a rescue dog, this can take up to 3 months. Last week I talked about the 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home.  Bringing home an adult dog doesn't look much different.You want to keep their world small and grow it slowly.  This will help them feel safe and while they start to trust you and you get to know each other.  You know that you're going to be the best dog parent ever, and you're not wrong.  We sometimes have to give our new four-legged family member some time to figure that out.  Once your new adult dog settles in it is ALL very much worth it!!Press play to listen the entire episode!

​This week I'm doing something a little different.  This is the audio version of a video series called 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home.  If you are a future puppy owner than this mini training is perfect for you.In this episode, I talk all about Phase 03: Get to Work.  Right around day 4 your will see your puppy's true personality start to come out.  Now that they are settled in it's time to get to work!  There are four essential tools you will need through every stage of your dog's life.  I go over what they are and how they work together.Press play below to listen to the full episode or... Watch the full video series now Learn More

​This week I'm doing something a little different.  This is the audio version of a video series called 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home.  If you are a future puppy owner than this mini training is perfect for you.In this episode, I talk all about Phase 02: Settle In.  I go over exactly what you need to focus on in the first 3-4 days your puppy is home.  Just as important, I go over what you don't need to worry about until later!  Press play below to listen to the full episode or... Watch the full video series now Learn More

​This week I'm doing something a little different.  This is the audio version of a video series called 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home.  If you are a future puppy owner than this mini training is perfect for you.In this episode, I talk all about Phase 01: Prepare.  I go over everything from the supplies I recommend to have the for the day your puppy comes home to how to prepare your home, yourself, and your family.Press play below to listen to the full episode or... Watch the full video series now Learn More

***This episode was recorded on March 22, 2020 and uses the best information available at that time.  With information is constantly changing, please keep informed and stay safe according to the most accurate, science based, up to date information available.***In the best of times, it's important to know how to socialize your puppy.  Even though these are not the best of times, socialization is no less important. How are you supposed to socialize your puppy when you're not allowed to socialize yourself?!?!Well, the situation isn't perfect but we can make the best of it.In this episode, I talk about what you can focus on during social distancing and adjustments you can make to still get these essential life experiences in for your puppy. In short, we are going to work with what we got!  Press play and enjoy!

I wanted to take a minute and check in and reach out.  How are you doing?Just about every single person out there is touched by what's happening.  I too, sat in my anxiety and stress for a little while. You know what brought me out of it?  YOU.I carved out this little corner of the internet to help dog parents and new puppy parents have an amazing life with their dog.  That's exactly what I'm going to continue to do even through this incredibly rough time.I 100% believe that stress management is just as important as washing your hands right now.  Conveniently enough, we all have little stress relievers running around our house.Over the past few days I've been posting an activity a day to do with your dog.  I encourage you to turn off your phone, turn off the news and just take an hour and play with your dog.  Keep yourself entertained, keep the kids entertained, and have a little extra playtime guilt free!!In this episode, I talk about a few of the activities that I've already posted (on Facebook and Instagram).  Below are the videos and all links to the resources I talk about.  I'll be keeping this page updated so check back!I hope this finds you safe and healthy.  Give your pups a belly rub from me as we all get through this together!Links and resources:YNP #042: 10 Ways to Play With Your DogYNP #018: Ditch the Bowl and Make Mealtime an EventYNP #004: 3 Things You Can Do Now to Teach Your Dog to Come Every Time You CallRover Round Robin step by step guide Activity 01: Puppy SoccerWhat you’ll need:✔1 or more humans (you'll take turns)✔Your dog✔Your dog’s dinner (or dry treats, or peas, or anything that will roll across the floor)✔A tiled or wood floor (no carpet)To Play:Step 01. Show your puppy the food or treat. Let them sniff it and get them excited about it.Step 02: Roll across the floor.Step 03: Once they catch it, call them back to you.Step 04: Repeat!Tips:✔Start with short distances while your dog is learning.✔Make sure the dog sees you roll the food.✔Great for young kids and adults!✔Feed your dog dinner and get some exercise and bonding time as well!! Activity 02: Scavenger HuntWhat you’ll need:✔1 or more humans✔Your dog✔Your dog’s dinner and smelly treatsTo Play:1. Keep your dog in a separate room as you hide portions of their dinner mixed with the treats.2. Put a few pieces in plain sight to get them started.3. Bring your dog in and let them sniff and hunt!Tips:✔Start with super smelly treats (liver treats work) while they are learning the game then you can switch to their food only once they get the hang of it.✔Start with super easy places (where he can see it as well as smell it) until your dog gets the hang of it then up the challenge.✔Puppies are still developing their ability to sniff out food so make it super easy for them.✔Don’t hide it where your dog has to break a house rule to find it (in the couch or on a shelf). This is great nose work, tires out their brain and fills the tummy! Activity 03: Rover Round RobinWhat you need:✔2 or more humans✔Your dog✔Treats, toys, and a silly attitudeTo Play:1. Stand a few feet apart.2. Take turns and call you dog to you.3. When your dog reaches you, shower him with praise, give him treats, and/or play a game of tug.Tips:✔Start close together while you and your pup are learning. Add distance once your dog learns the game.✔When it’s your turn to call your dog, throw a party! Get excited,

​When you have a reactive dog on a leash it takes all of the fun out of walks and makes them stressful and a chore.Unfortunately, having a reactive dog is all too common. It comes from the dog’s fight or flight response. When they are on a leash and tethered to you, some can default to the fight instinct. They’re not being bad, they are only showing this “aggression” because they feel they have to.Then it turns into a habit and your walks turn into a nightmare.Before you resort to walking your dog at 2 am or down that back ally where you know there won’t be any people or dogs, I have some tips for you on how to handle your dog when they bark or lunge at other people, dogs, or even fast-moving objects on a walk.If this has been going on for a while, if you’re working on it and you don’t see improvement or if it gets worse, it’s time to call a trainer. Most have experience with reactive dogs and it’s a behavior that can be improved but it can also takes timing and a technique that takes practice.  Having a professional guide you will be your best option.Your overall goal is to get your dog’s attention, keep their attention while whatever they usually bark at goes by.  We want to teach them “when I see another dog I pay attention to my human and good things happen!”In this episode, I provide my top tips that you can use if this is just starting or is minor. As an added bonus these same tips can also apply to an overexcited dog that is distracted by something in their environment.My tips include:* Practice getting your dogs attention in low-level environments* Stand or walk between your dog and the stimulus* Use distance to your advantagePress play to listen to the entire episode and enjoy!

Puppy biting is something that just about every new dog owner struggles with.  It can go from being an annoyance to affecting your enjoyment and bond with your puppy.  It gets even worse with the kids. Puppies don't know how to play with humans.  It's in their DNA to play with their tough-skinned, fur-covered littermates, but not us wimpy humans with our delicate skin. Working with your puppy on their nipping is pretty straight forward.  When you don't like the way they're playing, you stop playing.  You become completely boring and disengage.  Turn your back, tuck your hands or maybe even walk out of the room. What you don't do is say "no, no, no, stop" and physically try to stop them.  To your puppy, you are still playing. Then, even if you are doing everything right, you may still be struggling. The main reason I see, is that stopping your puppy's biting is a process.  You will be working on and managing puppy biting for a good portion of their first 6 months.Just like potty training, it takes time for our puppy to understand how to play with us.  Remember, we are working against their natural instincts.  So, you're gonna have good days and bad days.  What you need to look for is progress. The other big reason is that sometimes the puppy biting has nothing to do with biting at all.  There is something else going on that you need to address.  An overtired puppy will bite moreAn over-excited puppy will bite moreA teething puppy will bite moreOn those really bad days, instead of "strong-arming" our puppy into stopping, it's probably more about addressing one of the above problems.* Maybe it's time for your puppy to rest in their crate with a toy or chew* Maybe we need to give them a little bit more exercise like a walk or a structured game (like Rover Round Robin which I talk about in Episode 4).* Maybe we need to give them their chew toy to satisfy their aching mouth. In this episode, I talk about what to do when your puppy is biting while playing and why you might still be struggling.Press play to listen and enjoy!!

There are a bunch of different types of dog training programs out there.  Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.  Which one (or ones) you choose depends on your learning style, what's going on with your dog, and what your budget is.In this episode, I take a look at a puppy class vs obedience class vs private training vs online trainingNo matter which one you think is right for you it all comes down to you doing the work.  Once you walk out of the class or the trainer walks out the door it’s just you and your pup.  The last thing you need to do is find a trainer that has the program you want and that you like and trust.  Believe me, it's worth the time to call, talk to and research because your relationship with the trainer can make all the difference. Press play to listen to the entire episode.

Just like humans, dogs get car sick.  It's especially common for puppies.  Their little bellies are sensitive and not used to the motion.  The good news is, most will grow out of it.  The bad news is there is always a chance they will develop a bad association with the car.  Since it starts out as a physical reaction there isn't much we can do but help them feel better and try to avoid the sickness.  The last thing we want to do is stop taking our dog places. That's why in this episode, I go over tips to help prevent the car and motion sickness, including the anxiety that can develop.  I also give you a place to start if your dog is already has a bad association with the car.  Press play to listen to the entire episode.

You've read ALL the books, watched ALL the videos, listened to ALL the podcast but there are things that still come as a surprise when you get a new puppy.Let's be honest, some of these things they DO tell you, but maybe we don't hear them because they aren't the fun part of having a puppy.In this episode, I talk about the important things from how raising a puppy is an 18 month road to how your kids may react unexpectedly to the puppy.No worries, I didn't just talk about the doom and gloom.  I end the episode with some fun stuff like how puppies get the hiccups...a lot.   Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Especially with a new puppy, you'll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship…OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little...well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close.  In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here.   With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities.  It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you're stuck inside that things get harder.  No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them.  It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible.    That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor.  At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites.  I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!!  Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Raising a puppy is challenging.  Raising a puppy in an apartment adds a few additional challenges. It’s becoming more and more common to raise a puppy in an apartment.  This is great because it means more places are allowing dogs but before you run and get your new puppy there are some things to consider and to be ready for. When we think about raising a puppy in an apartment we usually think about the size restriction the apartment building has (which I don’t agree with and I talk about why).  There are also a few other things.When living in an apartment (or a condominium or even a townhouse) you have close neighbors that can make crate training harder.  Sometimes you can’t get outside quickly which can be a struggle during potty training. And most of the time the room you have to exercise your dog is limited.I have you covered with some tips on how to handle these extra challenges.  Including:* Getting the right age and breed* Potty training tips * Crate training tips* When they destroy something that's not yoursPress play to listen to the full episode. Related Episodes:YNP #002: Which Type of Dog is Right for You?YNP #005: Crate Training: How to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best FriendYNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should NOT be Used When House Training Your PuppyYNP #010: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy

You need to be your dog’s pack leader.  This much is clear. However, when I talk about leadership it doesn’t have anything to do with “alpha” or “dominance”.  I believe those words are overused and greatly misunderstood. But mostly, I believe that it leads us to the wrong type of relationship with our dog.  Make no mistake you need to be your dog’s pack leader, but I want you to think about more like a parent or teacher.  You make the rules, you decide how you want your dog to act and then it's up to us to guide and teach them how to be the dog we want them to be.  It’s a balance of respect, patience, and trust.There are three parts to being a good pack leader to your dog that builds this type of relationship. We need to:* Lead by example* Lead with consistency  * Lead with patienceIn this episode, I will talk about each one, what they mean, and how they fit into the bigger picture.  

This is the third and final special edition highlighting the great questions I received during Q&A Tuesdays.  Every Tuesday in October I will be answering your training questions.  These are just a few of the great questions I received and I thought would be beneficial to all my listeners.  October is now officially over and therefor so are Q&A Tuesdays, for now..If you don't want to miss the next time I do Q&A Tuesdays, you can find me on Instagram or Facebook because that is where it all happens.  I got the idea for Q&A Tuesday because this is very similar to what I do inside YOUR Perfect Puppy my online course for new puppy owners. More info on YOUR Perfect Puppy.For this special edition I cover the following topics:A dog that is marking in other people's homes.When your dog is uncomfortable or "afraid" of something (in this case a brush).Tips if you want to run with your dog.How to tell the difference between whining to go out and whining for attention.Teaching puppy to be calm around a cat. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples.  Enjoy!