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

The foundation of positive dog training is to reward the behaviors we want repeated and ignore or redirect the behaviors we don’t want repeated.Oh, how I wish it were that simple.  A question we don’t even think to ask is “how does the dog know what behavior we are rewarding or correcting?”  This is where timing is EVERYTHING.     Dogs are very present-minded. If we want to reward or stop a behavior from happening we have to do it the exact moment the behavior is happening.  Not a before or after. If we are just a moment or two off they may make the wrong connection with the wrong behavior.This is the only way we make sure our dog is making the connection to the right behavior.  If we reward them even 30 seconds later, it mines as well be 3 days later.There is some room for error here and we are not going to be perfect.  This skill is something WE need to practice. Understanding how timing makes a huge difference is the first step.    In this episode, I go into a few examples of what I mean and how to avoid rewarding or correcting the wrong behavior.See you inside!

Very often I get asked: Is human food good for dogs?  Or "should I feed my dog people food?" Or they say with pride “I ONLY feed my dog, dog food”The first thing I want to dispel is the idea that there is a difference between "people" food and "dog" food.  Food is food.The distinction that we are actually making is the difference between fresh foods and traditional commercial dog food which is typically highly processed.  So yes, "human" food is good for dogs because just like us, our dogs benefit greatly from fresh foods.I'm not talking about feeding your dog table scraps or dinner left overs.  I'm talking about supplementing their dinner with nutritious fresh foods and snacks.There are a few pitfalls we have to be careful of:* We want to be careful of over feeding our dogs.  When we add fresh foods we are also adding calories. * We also want to make sure that we keep a balanced diet.  If they are filling up on chicken (which is good for them) they might not be eating the other nutrients they need.* There are some foods that we can eat that our dogs shouldn’t.In this episode I talk about:* The difference between people and dog food (or lack there of).* Cautions when feeding your dog human food.* Benefits of feeding your dog human food.* Some of my favorite fresh foods that I use to supplement my dog’s food.  Related Episodes:Your New Puppy Episode #017: 5 Dog Food Myths and the Truth Behind ThemPhoto by Marek Szturc on Unsplash

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images.  They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed.We go into it aware that it will take more work.  Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one.  What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy.When a client asks me: "How to do I train two dogs at the same time?" My answer is: "You don’t."  Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack.  That is where three times the work comes in.AND it doesn’t stop at skills training.  There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together.There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode.  Litter-mate syndromeYou need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack.Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart.Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there.This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems.  Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter.  It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work .  If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs.  Enjoy!

Did you remember to praise your puppy?When using positive training our main tool is to reward behaviors we want our puppies to repeat.  The more we praise our puppy's good behavior the more likely they will grow into a well-behaved dog. Unfortunately, there are many times that we don’t remember (or worse, we don’t even realize) it’s an opportunity to praise and reward them to see the behavior again.Recognizing these moments is tough.  It takes practice if we are not used to it.  That is exactly why this episode includes a little bit of homework for you.In this episode, I talk about 2 situations that most puppy owners can miss:  When our puppy is being good and we didn’t even ask.For example: Sitting quietly at our feet.Relaxing on their bed with their toy.  Walked past our slipper without picking it up.When they are doing something wrong and we have to tell them to stop...and they do.For example:They stole our shoe but gave it to us when we asked.  They jumped up on the couch but they got down when we told them.Press play to listen below or go to where ever you get your podcasts. Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash

Separation anxiety is when your dog is stressed out because they are separated from you.  Every single dog has the potential to develop some form of separation anxiety because dogs don’t know how to be alone naturally.  This is one of the many things we need to teach them to live in our world. Separation anxiety was also one of the many issues I had to deal with when I brought home my two girls all those years ago.  I know how heartbreaking and stressful it can be to deal with severe cases. My goal for you is to prevent it or nip it in the bud. In this episode I talk about:* What separation anxiety is.* What it looks like.* How to prevent it.* How to treat your dog if they are already showing minor signs.  If your dog is showing major signs of separation anxiety (destructive behavior, excessive barking, even hurting themselves) please call a certified trainer in your area.Press play to listen below or go to where ever you get your podcasts. Photo by Patrick Carr on Unsplash

A question I get ALL the time is about taking your puppy outside before they are fully vaccinated.  This question usually comes up during potty training but my answer has nothing to do with potty training.In short, your puppy needs to get out and start experiencing the world BEFORE they are fully vaccinated. I know this can come into direct conflict with your veterinarian's advice.  I am not telling you to ignore your vet! As the title of this episode suggest it is all about balancing your puppy’s physical health and their behavioral development.In this episode I talk about:* What socialization is.* What science tells us about when socialization is the most important.* Why the advice of “keep your puppy inside until fully vaccinated” is still around even though it’s not what is best for your puppy.* Suggestions on how to balance the risks of keeping your puppy physically and mentally healthy.Don’t take my word for it.In the episode, I talk about the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and their statement on puppy socialization.  Their website is https://avsab.org/You can get the statement I reference right here or by going directly to their website (which I recommend, they have lots of great information on dog behavior).  ​

We are always told “prepare for emergencies" or "make an emergency preparedness plan."  The problem is the nature of an emergency is they are unpredictable and the situations are usually not something we expect.  All we can do is do our best to prepare so when it happens we at least have a head start.The type of emergencies I talk about in this episode is any situation where you either, can’t make it back home or you have to leave your home.  Having a dog can make both of these situations even more complicated.When faced with an emergency you will have a lot of things to think about.  Planning ahead can take the stress out of the situation that you are dealing with.In this Episode I walk you through making a list of people, places, and things that you may need in these types of emergencies when it comes to taking care of your dog.  Keep this list in a safe place so it’s ready for you when you need to use it.My hope for you is that this will be the best time you ever wasted.  Links mentioned in this Episode:YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One YNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet SittersNow Released: YOUR Perfect Puppy's online course

A fenced-in backyard is considered a very valuable resource for a dog owner.  It makes owning, potty training and exercising your dog SO much easier.  Or does it?With anything that makes our lives easier there is always a downside.  I know this, because I share this struggle with you.In this episode I talk about a very recent experience I had with my own dog.  Lucy’s behavior started to worsen out of nowhere and I started to get worried and frustrated all at the same time.Until i realized what was happening.  Lucy was BORED OUT OF HER MIND.  My fenced in backyard allowed me to get lazy and now Lucy and her behavior were showing it.With an acre of room and her sister to play with she had plenty of exercise but was lacking any other stimulation.This is why, fenced in yard or not, it is still important to get into the habit of walking your dog right away.In this episode I share my own struggle and tips on how we can work on it together.Photo by Aaron Bookout on Unsplash I did take my own advice!Immediately after recording this episode I regretted it (

So often, we get stuck in the idea that our dogs need to eat out of a bowl.  BORING!! Our dogs are programmed to work for their food so let’s use that in our favor. We already feed our dogs so let’s make it an event!  Our dogs have a blast AND it also help in our endless journey to burn off some of our dog's energy!  By having them work for their food our dog is occupied for longer than the typical 30 seconds it takes for them to eat out of a bowl.  This will relieve boredom and give them some mental exercise in the process (it’s also entertaining for us too)Now, what in the world do I mean?  In this episode I talk about three different examples of how to make meal time an event.  Use these examples to get your creative juices flowing and even a Google or Pinterest search to get more ideas on how to ditch the bowl.First example:  Use a Kong.Most of us know what a Kong is if not here is a photo.  You can find them in any pet store and they come in all different sizes and toughness.  This is one of the best ways to create a meal time event.  Instead of stuffing the Kong with peanut butter we stuff it with their meal.  One step that some of us miss is we have to teach your dog to use the Kong.  I talk about how to do this. Second example: Use a treat ball.A treat ball is one of my (and my dog's) favorite ways to eat their meal.  Despite the name it's not just for treats!  There a a bunch of different treat balls on the market.  You can also make some yourself.  Just search for DIY food puzzles or treat balls. Here are a couple of videos of Miriah and Boris enjoying their treat ball!! The possibilities are endless!I give a few more examples in the episode to help you start to think outside the bowl.Have your own ideas!  Share below!

We know that finding the right dog food for our dog is important.  It can also be overwhelming.  Most of us want to be able to walk into a pet store, pick up a bag and make the right decision.  Unfortunately, it's not that simple.There is a lot of different information out there about which dog food.Deciphering what is true and what is based on common beliefs that may or may not be outdated is next to impossible.To help you out, this in this episode I go over 5 myths associated with commercial dog food.  Most of these myths came from a small amount of truth BUT through a game of telephone, the misconceptions grew.  The worst of it, are some of the dog food companies take advantage of these myths to continue to sell us low-quality food for our pets.The 5 Dog Food Myths (and what the truth is)#1: Find a dog food your dog likes and stick with it. (not always)#2: Dog food has a long shelf life (sorta)#3: Grain-free means low carb (nope)#4: Higher price means higher quality (not even close)#5: The first ingredient should be meat (Yes! But that’s not the whole story) Decoding Pet Food Labels Free 5-day course delivered to your inbox.As mentioned in this episode I have a FREE dog food label mini-course! It’s a 5-day video series that goes through all the different parts of the label, from the description on the front to the ingredient list on the back.  Ready to learn more about the food you are feeding your pet? Sign up below to receive this FREE series.  You can also learn more about what's inside the lessons here. 

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” - Benjamin FranklinThe best way to stop your dog from jumping up on people is not to allow him from to do it from day one.The best way to stop your dog from sleeping on the bed with you is to teach him to sleep in his own bed from day one.I know, it sounds so simple. When your dog is a puppy it’s easy to let him jump because at that point it’s cute, not annoying. And right now he doesn’t take up that much room in the bed.It is so easy to let certain behaviors happen when they are small and cute but we end up having to fix bad habits laterIn this Episode, I talk about using preventive training and house rules to think ahead and make training easier.Biggest takeawayAsk yourself and your family the following questions and start enforcing the house rules from day one.Will this behavior be appropriate in the future?Will this behavior be appropriate when our puppy is full grown?Will this behavior be appropriate with small children, grandma, guests, etc?It can be tough to enforce these rules when all you want to do is play and snuggle and give your puppy whatever they want, but I promise you, your family AND your puppy will thank you for it.Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeEpisode #008: When your Dog Jumps: How to Prevent and Correct Jumping up on PeoplePhoto by Tim Trad on Unsplash

Welcome to Part Two of the two-part series on helping you find the right dog care for you.  In part one (Episode #14) I talked all about facilities.  In this episode I talk about Pet Sitters.Who will take care of your dog when you can’t is a very common concern for most dog owners.  With good reason.  There is a high level of trust that has to happen for you to feel comfortable to leave your dog in someone else’s hands.  Good news is there are a lot of options out there nowadays.  The bad news is there is a lot of options out there nowadays.There are a few things to consider when deciding which option is right for you and your dog.  Remember that your comfort is just as important as your dog’s comfort.  If you are nervous about leaving your dog then your dog will be nervous about being left.  Even if you are clear about which service you want, now you have to find the place or person you trust.  The only way to really do that is to talk to them and ask lots of questions.  Remember this is your dog you will be leaving with them, don’t be shy about getting all the information you can.In this episodeI talk about your different options when considering a pet sitter.   Most pet sitters will do home visits.  Home visits are where the sitter comes and takes care of your dog while he stays in his home environment.  Some pet sitters will even take your dog into their home and stay while you are away.In this episode I talk about both options plus how to find the pet sitter that is right for you and your dog including:Decide on what your priorities areDo your researchCall and ask questionsSchedule a meet and greetDo a test run.Don't forget to check out part one (episode 14) where I talk all about facilities.Dog Care QuestionnaireTo help you through this process I have provide you with a questionnaire you can use as a starting point to ask lots of questions and figure out which pet sitter is going to be the best for you and your dog.The questions are split into two categories: Pet sitters that come to your home and pet sitters that will take your dog into their home.  The questions are designed to give you a head start.  They center around getting a clear picture of what is happening inside a facility once you drop your dog off.  Use these questions exactly or modify and add questions depending on your priorities and needs.   Episode #015 Free Tool:  Dog Care Questionnaire for Pet Sitters Get Your Free Tool Resources mentioned in this EpisodeRover.comPetsit.comPetsitters.org

Welcome to Part One in two-part series on helping you find the right dog care for you.Who will take care of your dog when you can’t is a very common concern for most dog owners.  With good reason.  There is a high level of trust that has to happen for you to feel comfortable to leave your dog in someone else’s hands.  Good news is there are a lot of options out there nowadays.  The bad news is there is a lot of options out there nowadays.There are a few things to consider when deciding which option is right for you and your dog.  Remember that your comfort is just as important as your dog’s comfort.  If you are nervous about leaving your dog then your dog will be nervous about being left.  Even if you are clear about which service you want, now you have to find the place or person you trust.  The only way to really do that is to talk to them and ask lots of questions.  Remember this is your dog you will be leaving with them, don’t be shy about getting all the information you can.In this episodeI lay out the following steps and why they are important to help you find the facility that is right for you and your dog.Decide on what your priorities areDo your researchCall and ask questionsGo visitDo a test run. Don't forget to check out part two (episode 15) where I talk all about pet sitters.Dog Care QuestionnaireTo help you through this process I have provide you with a questionnaire you can use as a starting point to ask lots of questions and figure out which facility is going to be the best for you and your dog.The questions are designed to give you a head start.  They center around getting a clear picture of what is happening inside a facility once you drop your dog off.  Use these questions exactly or modify and add questions depending on your priorities and needs.   Episode #014 Free Tool:  Dog Care Questionnaire for Facilities Get Your Free Tool

Welcome to Part One in two-part series on helping you find the right dog care for you.Who will take care of your dog when you can’t is a very common concern for most dog owners.  With good reason.  There is a high level of trust that has to happen for you to feel comfortable to leave your dog in someone else’s hands.  Good news is there are a lot of options out there nowadays.  The bad news is there is a lot of options out there nowadays.There are a few things to consider when deciding which option is right for you and your dog.  Remember that your comfort is just as important as your dog’s comfort.  If you are nervous about leaving your dog then your dog will be nervous about being left.  Even if you are clear about which service you want, now you have to find the place or person you trust.  The only way to really do that is to talk to them and ask lots of questions.  Remember this is your dog you will be leaving with them, don’t be shy about getting all the information you can.In this episodeI lay out the following steps and why they are important to help you find the facility that is right for you and your dog.Decide on what your priorities areDo your researchCall and ask questionsGo visitDo a test run.Don't forget to check out part two (episode 15) where I talk all about pet sitters.Dog Care QuestionnaireTo help you through this process I have provide you with a questionnaire you can use as a starting point to ask lots of questions and figure out which facility is going to be the best for you and your dog.The questions are designed to give you a head start.  They center around getting a clear picture of what is happening inside a facility once you drop your dog off.  Use these questions exactly or modify and add questions depending on your priorities and needs.   Episode #014 Free Tool:  Dog Care Questionnaire for Facilities Get Your Free Tool

  Both Dog Parks and Dog Daycares are a place for your dog to get exhausted while playing with their friends.  Beyond that, you and your dog’s experience are quite different. Where dog parks are free, daycares cost money.  You get to stay and interact and play with the other dogs and people at a dog park but a daycare allows you to take a break while your dog is having fun. The biggest difference is the socialization and safety of your dog.  Like anything that is free, a dog park involves more caution and risk.  With dog parks, any owner can show up.  Daycares carefully monitor the dog’s health and behavior that participate in the play. Biggest Takeaway If you take anything away from this episode it’s this:  If your goal is to socialize your dog then a daycare is a place to go and you should avoid the dog park.  If you have a dog that is already well socialized, then a daycare still works.  A dog park can too, as long as you use common sense and caution. In this episode, I go through the pros and cons of each so you can decide what is best for you and your dog.