Why Rescue Dogs Need Rules, Not Just “Love”
When clients bring a new rescue dog home, rather than allowing their rescue dog decompression time, their instinct is to shower them with total freedom. They believe “freedom” makes up for this past. There are no rules. Couch privileges on day one. Endless free treats. Zero enforcement. As trainers, we see this all the time. […]
Your Client’s Dog is Choosing, just not them (yet)
Your Client’s Dog is choosing, just not them A dog owner hires you because their dog gets distracted when they spot a dog on a walk. Another struggles with the dog pulling on leash when a squirrel races past them. A third is frustrated because their dog is fantastic at home, yet blows off their […]
Before You Teach a Single Command, Understand This About the Leash
A new client walks into your space with a dog pulling in every direction. The dog’s tongue is out, their eyes wild. There is an ungodly sound coming from their throat. That sound is a mixture of excitement and the pressure of the collar against their own throat from pulling. You can forget about the […]
The Day Training “Stops working”
(And Why That Was Actually the Turning Point) Training “stops working” right after dog owners finally commit to training their dog. Clients stop giving table scraps to the dog. Stop reacting to jumping. Ignore the barking they’ve tried to “fix” for months. And for a brief, terrible moment, everything gets worse. In response: This is […]
What’s Next? A New Way to Gain Experience with Rover Training
You’ve put in the time, dedication, and effort to complete your certification with ISCDT – Dog Trainer Program. So… what’s next? For many graduates, launching a dog training business is the obvious next step—but that doesn’t mean it’s the only option. Some trainers feel ready to start marketing their own services. Others want to keep […]
The Right and Wrong Ways to Socialize Puppies
What Science and Trainers Agree On It is important that puppies are socialized in a timely manner and that it is done properly. Trainers must provide detailed explanation to dog owners on the correct way of socializing their puppies. The margin of error is great in this area. Below I’ll explain the biology and timing, […]
A Smarter Way to Communicate with Your Dog
Hand signals play a crucial role in dog training because they align closely with the way dogs naturally interpret the world. Dogs are highly visual animals. They rely more on body language and movement than on verbal communication. While they can learn words through repetition, they often respond more quickly and reliably to visual cues. […]
7 Human Behaviors That Confuse Dogs
Dogs are brilliant, loving creatures who want to please us, but they aren’t born understanding human language or social expectations. As dog trainers, we see this disconnect often: well-meaning owners unintentionally confuse their dogs with inconsistent commands, unclear expectations, or contradictory behavior. Recently, we asked a question to our community of dog trainers and students […]
How to Deepen The Bond With Your Dog
The human bond is a powerful thing. We form connections with family, friends, and even entire communities. But our bonds aren’t limited to just people. We bond deeply with animals too—especially dogs. In fact, the human-canine connection goes back more than 15,000 years. It’s no wonder that the relationship we share with our dogs often […]
Protected: Steps to Implement SMART Goals for Dog Trainers
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