There are two types of dogs when it comes to water and going for a swim. Some dogs LOVE water and swimming, and others don’t want anything to do with it. How we teach swimming [...]

Understanding the science of dog training is going to help you help your dog with clarity. In Episode 158 of Shaped by Dog, we covered training and using positive interrupters, and a [...]

I have owned nine puppies and had many rescue dogs new to my home, and all have become amazing adult dogs. It might seem I was lucky, but the truth is that I followed a process! [...]

It’s important to realize when a puppy might not be interacting appropriately with another puppy or dog. Some puppies can be bullies, play far too roughly, or be overly exuberant [...]

If you took an obedience class back in the 80s, you could have learned to say things like AH-AH, NO, and HEY to stop your dog from doing something. And if you learned that [...]

If you spend time on social media, you will have seen videos where somebody has a family dog and a young toddler or a baby in very precarious situations. It’s unnecessarily [...]

The best thing we can do for our dogs is protect them from unpleasant events. Fireworks displays can be beautiful for us but can be traumatic for dogs. It’s not just dogs; [...]

There’s a good chance that you’ve seen how to train a sit by luring your puppy or dog with a treat above their nose. I teach a sit 10 different ways, and none involve a lure. [...]

Do you take your dog on vacation or for road trips? It will help make your holiday great if you plan ahead and prepare your dog for car rides, consider safety for your [...]

Dog training games deepen the bond we have with our dogs, grow trust, build confidence and give our dogs beneficial skills for daily life. A life skill that is important [...]

We’re now in part three of our series on dogs being able to respond when they are far away, and I’ve got a training plan for you. It’s super important for your dog’s safety [...]

We can use food, toys, or activities our dogs love, like swimming or running, as rewards in dog training. To get an unbelievable transfer of value from that reinforcement, we [...]

One of my most favorite things to talk about is mindset because, to me, it’s everything in life. Mindset is nothing to do with dog training, yet it has everything to do with how [...]

Do you have superstitious behavior like wearing a lucky shirt or lucky socks? Dogs can have superstitious behaviors too, and often, we contribute! We don’t want inadvertent [...]

There are two ways to work on your dog listening around distractions, but many people only learn one. The first way is to get your dog into a controlled position like a sit or [...]

How well does your dog respond to your cues at a distance? Would your dog sit or down when they are off leash and far away? It’s a skill that can be life saving for dogs! It only [...]

Does balanced dog training really exist? Being a balanced trainer is part of my background in dog training. In many discussions about dog training methods, you will frequently [...]

Teaching your dog to lay down on cue is a great life skill for many situations. There are 10 different ways to train your dog to drop. Having a dog who downs immediately when [...]

If you’ve ever said, “why won’t my dog just listen,” or “he does this at home,” or “he’s being stubborn,” or wondered why your dog just does not listen, this episode is for you. [...]

Have you ever felt behind in your dog training? Have you ever wondered if you will ever catch up? Have you ever wondered if it was just too late to train your dog, or if your [...]