Training and Behavior

As our dogs grow, they move through distinct developmental stages, each with unique learning opportunities and behavioral changes. Knowing what to expect as your puppy matures can help you support them, manage common challenges, and make the most of their critical learning periods. Let’s take a closer look at these key milestones and ways you can best support your dog through each stage.

Neonatal Period (Birth to 2 Weeks)

What’s Happening During the neonatal period, puppies are entirely dependent on their mother for warmth, nutrition, and hygiene. Their senses of touch and smell are active, but they are otherwise unresponsive to their environment.

Your Role At this stage, puppies rely on their breeder or foster caregivers, as they’re still with their mother and littermates. Handling should be gentle and minimal, as this early exposure to touch lays a foundation for human bonding and socialization later on (Lindsay, 2000).

Transitional Period…

When it comes to training, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Start training these important skills before the stress of the holidays sets in!

The holiday season is just around the corner, and for many families, this means a house full of guests, festive decorations, and bustling activities. While we humans look forward to these joyous events, they can sometimes be overwhelming for our dogs. New faces, different routines, and lots of excitement can leave your pup feeling anxious or overly energetic.

The good news? With a little preparation, your dog can be the well-mannered, calm companion that makes holiday gatherings enjoyable for everyone. Here are 10 key skills your dog should have in time for the holidays, along with some tips on how to start practicing now!

Polite Greetings

Dogs naturally get excited when someone comes to the door. However, greeting guests by jumping or…

Training your dog to follow commands and develop good manners is a rewarding experience, but it requires the right tools and techniques to achieve lasting success. One of the most effective methods used in positive reinforcement training is a technique known as luring. Whether you're working with a brand-new puppy or an adult dog, luring can be an excellent way to teach new behaviors while keeping training fun and engaging for both you and your dog.

In this blog post, we'll dive into what luring is, how it fits into positive reinforcement training, and how you can use it to teach your dog new skills while building a strong, trusting relationship.

What is Luring in Dog Training?

Luring is a technique in which a treat or toy is used to guide your dog into performing a desired behavior. The treat acts as a "lure" to encourage the dog to follow your…

As a dog owner, you want the best for your furry family member. Whether it’s mastering basic commands, developing good manners, or addressing behavior concerns, finding an effective training method is key to ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with your dog. Among the various training techniques available today, positive reinforcement training stands out as a humane, science-backed approach that not only teaches your dog skills but also builds their confidence, emotional stability, and long-term success as a well-adjusted family member.

In this article, we’ll explore what positive reinforcement training is, the science behind it, and how it helps create confident, well-trained, and emotionally stable dogs.

What is Positive Reinforcement Training?

Positive reinforcement training is a method where desirable behaviors are rewarded to encourage the dog to repeat those behaviors in the future. The focus is on rewarding good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior. The reward can be anything that…