Training tips

Notes from the training floor.

Short, practical write-ups on the questions we get asked most often in sessions — grounded in force-free, evidence-based methods, not quick fixes.

Chewed furniture and a trashed living room can mean two very different things — and the fix for one can make the other worse.

Your dog doesn't need to understand your explanation of a mistake. What matters most is what immediately follows their behavior.

A recall cue should be valuable. Using it constantly for baths, nail trims, and the end of every walk can quietly weaken it.

Baby gates, leashes, closed doors, and careful setups aren't shortcuts. They prevent unwanted rehearsal while training catches up.

Good socialization isn't a race to meet every dog in town. Puppies need safe, positive exposure to the wider world.

A dog can hold a sit while remaining completely wound up. Teaching calmness is a different skill from teaching position.