For puppies, the world is new, strange, and sometimes frightening. As we covered in our last blog, all puppies go through fear periods during which new phobias can develop. While first priority should be socializing puppies to people and other animals, this is also the prime time to address other fears. We asked our trainer what sorts of things scare puppies in her experience. Here are ten common puppy fears, ranging from potentially debilitating to […]
Suddenly Spooked: Your Puppy and Fear Periods
It can happen seemingly out of nowhere. One moment, your puppy is the exuberant bundle of energy that your family brought home. The next, they’re a nervous in situations that never bothered them before. What happened? Is your puppy broken? No need to panic! Your puppy may just be going through one of their fear periods! What is a fear period? Fear periods are stages in a puppy’s growth where they become increasingly sensitive to […]
Teaching Your Puppy Good Leash Manners
When picturing dog ownership, walking with your dog is probably one of the first things that comes to mind. After all, not only is walking great exercise for your dog (and for you!), but it’s also built-in bonding time. It’s truly a shame that for so many people, walks are a frustrating tug-of-war. It doesn’t have to be this way! By learning to communicate with your puppy and teaching them expectations, you can create more […]
5 Crate Games You Can Play with Your Puppy
A crate is one of the most helpful tools when it comes to training your puppy. It’s a way of keeping your puppy safe from hazards when you cannot watch them, a potty training tool, a secure method of transportation, and a haven for when your puppy is feeling overwhelmed, all rolled into one! However, in order to serve any of these roles, your puppy must first become comfortable in the crate. Here are some […]
Helping a Dog with Separation Anxiety
In our last blog post, we discussed best methods to help prevent separation anxiety with your new puppy. Prevention is the first line of defense for any behavioral issue. However, what do you do if your dog is already showing signs of separation anxiety? Here are some tips to help you ease dog separation anxiety. A Quick Look Dogs that have separation anxiety can show symptoms ranging from behavioral (destruction, potty accidents) to physical (vomiting, […]
Preventing Separation Anxiety in Puppies
We love our dogs, and our dogs love us. Under ordinary circumstances, this bond is one of the most wonderful things in the world! However, just like for humans, a bond that becomes too codependent becomes unhealthy. Anywhere between 20%-40% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety… and this number may have grown significantly since the pandemic! Here are some steps you can take to prevent separation anxiety from ever becoming an issue for your puppy! […]
Good Dog! Bad Dog! Understanding How Dogs Learn
Everyone thinks they’re great at communicating with their dog – and for the most part, they’re right! Dogs have evolved to be incredibly attuned to our emotions, and the average dog can learn up to 165 human words. However, humans have a more nuanced understanding of cause and effect than animals, which can lead to confusion. Today we’re taking a dive into canine psychology and animal behavior to help you better reinforce the behaviors you […]
Obedience and Generalization: What it is and why it is important to dog training
Has this ever happened to you? You are out and about with your puppy and you give them a command that they should know by heart and your puppy simply… does not do it. “But they do it perfectly at home!” you may think. Has your puppy forgotten all of their training? Do they just not listen to you anymore? Don’t worry! You aren’t starting from square one and your puppy is (probably) not ignoring […]
Reducing Fear of Noises in Dogs
Phonophobia, or fear of loud noises, is a common behavioral problem for dogs. In fact, it may affect anywhere between a quarter and half of the dog population! Whether you’re looking to raise a confident puppy or help an adult dog that has developed this fear, owners can take steps to reduce fear of noises in dogs. Here is how! Start Young As with most training, the younger that you can start to work with […]
How to Prepare For Your Puppy Part 2: Planning for a Smooth Transition
In our last blog post, we discussed the ways to make your home physically ready for a new puppy. By having the right supplies on hand and puppy proofing your house, you will be ready to go on day one! However, perhaps equally important is your mental preparation and to plan for your your puppy. Here are some things to plan out before your puppy gets home. Have a Medical Care Plan Having a quality […]
