Episodes

Dec 10

Potty training was going so well… until it suddenly wasn’t. Let’s discuss why potty training regression is completely normal , what it actually means, and how to get back on track without feeling like you’ve failed your puppy. You have a stretch of good days, you start to feel confident, and then all of a sudden, the accidents are back. It feels like you’re back at square one, you start asking what you did wrong, and you might even wonder what’s wrong with your puppy. Here is the truth. Regression is normal. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean your puppy forgot everything. It means you are in the middle of the process. If this episode really resonates, I also recommend Episode 79: “Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training?” where I walk through the three key points I always cover with clients who are stuck. In this episode, I talk about: What potty training actually looks like (progress in NOT a straight line) The most common reason for potty training regression. Why regression seems to happen right at the end. How a small change in routine can have a big impact on your progress. The difference between a random accident and true regression. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy: A free download that walks you through my complete process YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone! Additional Potty Training Episodes: YNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should Not Be Used When House Training Your Puppy YNP #010: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #039: Common Potty Accidents YNP #041: Raising a Puppy in an Apartment YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household YNP #072: Should You Use a Potty Bell? YNP #079: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? YNP #085: How to Handle Potty Training Overnight YNP #090: When Your Dog Hates the Rain YNP #092: Why Not to Punish Puppy Potty Accidents What’s Next? Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone! You’re just a human trying to raise a dog. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to support you through this journey.

Sep 30

Bringing a puppy home is a joyful time… except sometimes reality hits a bit harder. Welcome to the Puppy Blues . It’s common to underestimate the effect this big life change will have on our emotional well-being. I’m doing this wrong?Why is this so hard?I feel like a failure.There’s something wrong with this dog.It’s not supposed to be this way. These are all normal things to think and feel when you bring your puppy home. Feelings of anxiety, frustration, exhaustion, or even guilt are something that nearly every new puppy parent experiences. Yet we don’t seem to talk about it. In this episode, let’s discuss what the puppy blues are, why they happen, and most importantly, how to navigate them without feeling like you’re failing your puppy or yourself. You’ll learn why these feelings are normal, temporary, and something you can plan for, along with practical tips for finding your new rhythm with your puppy. Whether you’re preparing for a puppy or already in the thick of it, this episode will give you reassurance, strategies, and a roadmap to survive (and enjoy!) these early weeks. In this episode, I talk about: What the puppy blues are. Why just about every new puppy parent experiences them. Practical ways to minimize the overwhelm. How to find your new rhythm with your puppy. Where to find extra guidance. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Science Daily: A dog’s puppyhood can cause ‘puppy blues’ reminiscent of baby blues Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #005: Crate Training: How and Why to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best Friend Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #028: 5 Reasons to Use the Crate When You’re Home Your New Puppy’s Podcast: YNP #061: A Typical Puppy Schedule YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone! What’s Next? Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone! You’re just a human trying to raise a dog. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to support you through this journey.

Jun 10

Wondering what to do on your puppy’s first night home? You’re bringing your new puppy home, you’re excited, you’ve got everything ready, and you already have great plans on how your new puppy will fit right into your family. But wait, do I know what to do that first night? Maybe you’re coming home late and don’t have much time to make them feel safe and comfortable before bedtime. You’re probably wondering: Where should my puppy sleep that first night? Do I put them in the crate even if I haven’t introduced it yet? Is it okay not to use the crate? No worries, in this episode, I walk you through exactly what to do that very first night. Note: If you’ve watched my three part series: The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home , this episode fits into Phase 02: Settle In. Whether you’ve been preparing for weeks or just thought of it now (we’ve all been there!), you’ll leave this episode knowing exactly what to do, and what you don’t need to worry about (yet!). In this episode I talk about: What to expect for your puppy’s first night home. Where crate training and potty training fits in. Where your puppy should sleep that first night. What you can do to make them more comfortable without overwhelming them. What else you should be prepared for. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home : Getting a new puppy is exciting but overwhelming. This free three part video series will help you know how to Prepare , how long to let your puppy Settle In , and when it’s time to Get to Work . Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy : Know exactly what to do when to help potty training feel easier with quicker results. It includes a tracker to help you find patterns and prevent accidents. YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. Includes live support from me so you don’t have to do this alone! What’s Next? Feeling a little unsure about what to do with your new puppy? You’re not alone! You’re just a human trying to raise a dog. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty training and basic cues to building trust and confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to raise your well-mannered dog with less stress and more joy. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to support you through this journey.

Feb 20

If you are experiencing some behavior changes from regression to old behaviors to brand new ones popping up, this episode is for you. Welcome to this special replay episode. I’m wanted to bring back this important episodes for anyone with a puppy who’s entering adolescence. If you’re feeling like your once sweet, well-behaved puppy is suddenly turning into a bit of a troublemaker—you’re not alone. This is a super common struggle that many puppy owners face, and I’m here to help you navigate through it. In this replay, we’re diving deep into behavior changes that happen as your puppy grows , specifically during adolescence (around 5 to 18 months). You might have thought the hardest part was the early puppyhood days, but trust me—adolescence can be even more challenging. The behaviors that start cropping up during this phase—like jumping, counter surfing, barking in the crate, and more—can be frustrating, especially when you feel like you’ve just gotten things under control. But don’t worry, it’s completely normal, and I’m here to reassure you that you haven’t done anything wrong. In this episode I talk about: What behavior changes to expect as your puppy grows. Why these behavior changes are happening and what’s behind them. How to stay patient as your dog goes through this phase of development. How to manage your puppy’s new energy levels. Why consistency is key! Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Not-So-New Puppy Behavior Workshop : A 4-week virtual workshop designed for dogs aged 5-18 months, offering you expert guidance on those frustrating adolescent behaviors. Together, we’ll troubleshoot common challenges like barking, leash pulling, counter-surfing, impulse control, and more. YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.

Dec 23, 2024

Tug of war is a game that dogs LOVE to play. Yet I always get asked the question “Can I play tug of war with my dog?” The short answer is YES! It’s is great game for you and your pup. It’s easy to play, they love it, it burns lots of energy and tires out those heavy chewing jaws and nipping puppy teeth. So why is this a question? Well, there’s some misconceptions about tug of war that have been going around for a while. In this episode, I debunk the common myths, like the idea that it’s a dominance game or that you can’t let your dog win. The vast majority of dogs can play tug of war with no problem. There are some pups that need some rules to reduce any over stimulation or excitement. No worries, I walk you through what to watch for if this is your pup—like vocal escalation or raised hackles. Plus, I’ve got a special video for you that shows how to use tug of war to teach your dog important skills like drop it and impulse control. So, grab your dog’s favorite toy and tune in to find out how you can safely enjoy this fun game with your pup! In this episode I talk about: Can you play tug of war with your dog? Why this is even a question. Signs to look for if you need to put rules in place. How tug of war can benefit your dog. Free resource on how to teach your dog impulse control with a game of tug of war. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #087 : Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You? YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.

Nov 22, 2024

Tug of war is a game that dogs LOVE to play. Yet I always get asked the question “Can I play tug of war with my dog?” The short answer is YES! Tug of war is great game for you and your pup. It’s easy to play, they love it, it burns lots of energy and tires out those heavy chewing jaws and nipping puppy teeth. So why is this a question? Well, there’s some misconceptions about tug of war that have been going around for a while. In this episode, I debunk the common myths about tug of war, like the idea that it’s a dominance game or that you can’t let your dog win. The vast majority of dogs can play tug of war with no problem. There are some pups that need some rules to reduce any over stimulation or excitement (because tug of war is just so fun!). No worries, I walk you through what to watch for—like vocal escalation or raised hackles. Plus, I’ve got a special video for you that shows how to use tug of war to teach your dog important skills like drop it and impulse control. So, grab your dog’s favorite toy and tune in to find out how you can safely enjoy this fun game with your pup! How to Use Tug of War toTeach Impulse Control Tug of war is not only a fun game that your dog loves but you can use it to teach your dog to control their excitement (also known as impulse control). As a bonus, I also talk a little bit about “drop it” It’s a two-minute video that will give you and your pup hours of fun! In this episode I talk about: Can you play tug of war with your dog? Why this is even a question. Signs to look for if you need to put rules in place. How tug of war can benefit your dog. Free resource on how to teach your dog impulse control with a game of tug of war. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #087 : Is Your Dog Trying to Dominate You? YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.

Oct 21, 2024

Welcome to Episode 100 of Your New Puppies Podcast! I’m thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you, my amazing listeners. As I reflect back, I started to think about what I’ve learned and the things I believed before I became a dog trainer. I wanted to share some key lessons with you because unless you’ve become a dog trainer yourself, you may believe these same things. The three lessons I talk about: Even if you’ve lived with dogs before, being the one in charge of their well being and training is a very different experience. Puppies aren’t a blank slate. Dogs don’t inherently get along, just because their dogs. In celebration of 100 episodes and to thank my listeners you will receive a free gift if you join one of my digital programs. I’m offering two special promotions for a limited time! If you join my signature course, YOUR Perfect Puppy , receive a complimentary one-on-one 45 minute video session . Join 14 Days to a Stronger Recall program and receive 14 Days to a Stronger Leave It free! YOUR Perfect Puppy is my signature 4 week puppy course designed to help raise your puppy into a happy, well mannered dog. You also get 6 months inside Playtime Paws Academy which is where you get direct access to me to support you through your puppy raising journey. 14 Days to a Stronger Recall is a mini program designed to teach you the foundation you need to teach your dog to come to you every time you call in any environment. With 14 Days to a Stronger Leave It you’ll also learn how to teach your dog not to pick up everything on your walk! Note: Both 14 Days to a Stronger Recall and 14 Days to a Stronger Leave It are inside of YOUR Perfect Puppy . So, if you can’t decide, joining YOUR Perfect Puppy will get you all of the above!! If you have a questions about any of these programs or offers feel free to email me info@playtimepaws.com Join me in this celebration as we embark on the next chapter together. In this episode I talk about: How far the podcast has come. Why I love working with new puppy parents. Until we’re in it, we don’t fully understand what it’s like to raise a puppy. Why who your dog becomes is a combination of nature and nurture. Socialization isn’t about your dog learning to love other dogs, it’s about learning how to communicate. Two free gifts to celebrate 100 episodes and thank you, my listeners. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #073 : Does Your Dog’s Breed Matter? YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs. 14 Days to a Stronger Recall : Learn how to have the freedom and peace of mind when your dog comes to you every time you call!

Sep 17, 2024

The holiday season is a popular time to bring a new puppy into the family. But how we do it can make a big difference in the well being of all involved. Now before I totally burst your bubble, I’m not saying you shouldn’t get a puppy this time of year (though there are things to consider while making that decision). What I’m going to talk about here is why you shouldn’t surprise someone (kids or adult) with the actual puppy on a specific day – Christmas morning, for example. We think of it as a special magical moment where a puppy comes out of a box and our kids or family member is overwhelmed with joy. But the reality is, this can be a stressful experience for a puppy who is also meeting their new family for the first time. If you’re considering getting a puppy around the holidays, this episode will help you keep the time special while making sure it’s a joyful and stress free experience for both humans and puppies! Enjoy! In this episode I talk about: What to think about when giving a puppy as a gift. Why you shouldn’t plan a surprise with an actual puppy. The importance of building trust with your puppy during the first few days home. The importance of preparing your family before bringing a puppy home. Alternative ways to make the holiday special without surprising someone with an actual puppy. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #060 : Kids and Puppies The 3 Phases to Bringing Your New Puppy Home – Video series Book a virtual session with Debbie YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies into well-mannered, happy dogs.

Aug 16, 2024

Why your dog isn’t listening depends on a bunch of factors including what your asking them to do, where they are, what you’ve taught them previously, and more. It’s one of the most common questions I get but it’s also one of the hardest to answer. I usually need ALOT more information. From my experience, I’ve narrowed it down to 5 reasons. They are not mutually exclusive. In fact, chances are it’s a blend of a few reasons. The five reasons are: You haven’t taught them what you’re asking for. You skipped some steps in their training. You haven’t practiced in this environment. They’ve already learned they don’t have to listen. Today is just not the day. Once we can pinpoint the reason (or reasons) we can start to figure out what to do next. Enjoy! In this episode I talk about: Expectations you should have for puppies. The five reasons your dog is not listening. Examples of each reason. How to tell which reason your dog isn’t listening. What your next step is. Enjoying this podcast? Please rate and review it wherever you listen. This helps other puppy parents find it. Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #057 : How to Teach Your Dog to Listen With Distractions YNP #064 : The Downside of a Fenced-in Yard YNP #080 : Why I Don’t Teach “Off” YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies.

Jul 12, 2024

Just about every dog is going to have some trouble with the hot weather. For some dogs even a slight elevation in temperature will find them seeking out the shade and wanting shorter walks. The heat itself can be tiring for a dog so it tends to shorten walks and activity. This will result in us having to find creative ways to entertain our dog and burn some energy. For this episode I reached right into my Enrichment Database (available with YOUR Perfect Puppy) to find some activities that are perfect for a hot day. I have you covered if you want to play with water, sit in the shade with a frozen treat, or stay inside and avoid the heat altogether. Enjoy! In this episode I talk about: Dogs that are sensitive to the heat. How to recognize heat stroke in a dog. Different types of water activities to try with your pup. Different types of frozen treats to make for your pup. Indoor activities to avoid the heat all together . Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Articles on heat stroke in dogs: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heat-stroke-in-dogs https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/heatstroke-in-dogs/ Rover Round Robin : A fun family recall game you can turn into hide and seek (request the step by step directions) YOUR New Puppy : My signature new puppy course that has helped hundreds of new puppy parents raise their puppies.

Jun 5, 2024

It can be counter intuitive but when your puppy has a potty accident, we shouldn’t punish them. You may feel that you need to do something to let them know “this is wrong”. Or maybe you know that you’re not supposed to punish your puppy’s potty accidents but you’re not sure why. In general, I discourage using punishment as a form of teaching your puppy anything. But this question comes up a lot around potty training. In Episode #10: (Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy) , I talk about what to do when your puppy has an accident. Punishment is never part of it. In this episode, I’m going to talk about why that is. In this episode I talk about: Why I get this question around potty training. What I mean by “punishment” . What we are supposed to do with potty accidents. Why dogs learn better when told what to do (instead of what not to do). How puppies don’t know going potty inside is wrong (yet!). Press play and enjoy! https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/compare-pet-insurance-quotes/ https://www.pet-insurance-university.com/guide_to_pet_insurance.html Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #039 : The Most Common Potty Accidents YNP #0 79: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

May 13, 2024

How do you know if your kids are ready for a dog? And if they are, how do you prepare them for bringing that new dog home? Well lucky for you (and me) Justine Schuurmans, the expert on families, kids, and dogs, is going to answer those questions. Justine is the founder of The Family Dog and the creator of The Dial Method. Her work with families has greatly impacted how I work with kids and puppies to this day. The best part? This is part one of a two part series. Stay tuned for part two where she talks about what to do when the your kids and the dog aren’t BFFs like you planned. In this episode we talk about: Are your kids ready for a dog? Are you ready for a new dog? How much can you depend on the kids help? Why younger kids shouldn’t be in charge of walking the dog. Picking the right dog for your family’s lifestyle. How to prepare your kids for when the dog comes home. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: The Family Dog resources : This page includes the resources both Justine and I talked about inside the interview including the video that I think EVERY parent should watch along with the Pet, Pat, Pause flyer. YNP Episode #002 : Which Type of Dog is Right for You? YOUR Perfect Puppy’s course : A 4 week course to build the foundation of you and your new puppy’s life together. More about Justine: Justine is a former Nickelodeon and MTV producer and dog trainer for over 20 years, specializing in working with young families. Her mission is to help parents, kids and dogs understand each other better and live safely and happily together. She’s the founder of The Family Dog, STOP THE 77 and the creator of The Dial Method.

May 9, 2024

If you’re a parent, how do you know if your kids are ready for a dog? And if they are, how do you prepare them for bringing that new dog home? Well lucky for you (and me) Justine Schuurmans, the expert on families, kids, and dogs, is going to answer those questions. Justine is the founder of The Family Dog and the creator of The Dial Method. Her work with families has greatly impacted how I work with kids and puppies to this day. The best part? This is part one of a two part series. Stay tuned for part two where she talks about what to do when the your kids and the dog aren’t BFFs like you planned. In this episode we talk about: Are your kids ready for a dog? Are you ready for a new dog? How much can you depend on the kids help? Why younger kids shouldn’t be in charge of walking the dog. Picking the right dog for your family’s lifestyle. How to prepare your kids for when the dog comes home. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: The Family Dog resources : This page includes the resources both Justine and I talked about inside the interview including the video that I think EVERY parent should watch along with the Pet, Pat, Pause flyer. YNP Episode #002 : Which Type of Dog is Right for You? YNP Episode #095 : When Things Go Wrong Between the Kids and Dog? With Justine Schuurmans (Part Two) YOUR Perfect Puppy’s course : A 4 week course to build the foundation of you and your new puppy’s life together. More about Justine: Justine is a former Nickelodeon and MTV producer and dog trainer for over 20 years, specializing in working with young families. Her mission is to help parents, kids and dogs understand each other better and live safely and happily together. She’s the founder of The Family Dog, STOP THE 77 and the creator of The Dial Method.

Apr 19, 2024

It can be counter intuitive but when your puppy has a potty accident, we shouldn’t punish them. You may feel that you need to do something to let them know “this is wrong”. Or maybe you know that you’re not supposed to punish your puppy’s potty accidents but you’re not sure why. In general, I discourage using punishment as a form of teaching your puppy anything. But this question comes up a lot around potty training. In Episode #10: (Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy) , I talk about what to do when your puppy has an accident. Punishment is never part of it. In this episode, I’m going to talk about why that is. In this episode I talk about: Why I get this question around potty training. What I mean by “punishment” . What we are supposed to do with potty accidents. Why dogs learn better when told what to do (instead of what not to do). How puppies don’t know going potty inside is wrong (yet!). Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #039 : The Most Common Potty Accidents YNP #0 79: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Feb 7, 2024

You may know that you’re not supposed to punish your puppy’s potty accidents but maybe you don’t know why. In general, I discourage using punishment as a form of teaching your puppy anything but this question comes up a lot around potty training. Since, you know I never miss an opportunity to discuss the why behind training I’d like to take the opportunity to answer the questions “why are we not supposed to punish potty accidents?” In this episode I talk about: Why I get this question around potty training. What I mean by “punishment” . What we are supposed to do with potty accidents. Why dogs learn better when told what to do (instead of what not to do). Puppies don’t know going potty inside is wrong. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #039 : The Most Common Potty Accidents YNP #0 79: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training? Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jan 17, 2024

Is your dog trying to dominate you? The short answer is no, they are not. And though that might not come as a surprise to you, what isn’t always clear is why it’s not true. Especially because this theory that dogs want to dominate us or some dogs are more “dominate” than others still comes up a lot in dog training. That’s why I want to talk about where this dominance and alpha theory came from, how it’s been debunked, and why it still persists even though we now know better. I believe this information is important because helps us better understand our dog and how they see the world so we can better communicate with them and teach them how we want them to behave in our human world. As always, the resources I talk about in this episode are listed all below. In this episode I talk about: Where the dominance and alpha theory came from . How we now know that there’s no such thing as an “alpha” dog in a natural wolf pack. Why dominance and alpha theory is still (incorrectly) used. What is actually happening when we think we see a “dominate” or “submissive” dog. Why I think it’s so important to understand the difference. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: International Wolf Center : An article by the organization that conducted the ordinal study on why they no longer use the term “alpha”. Dave Mech (pronounced “meesh”) : An article and video by the scientist that wrote the book that made the “alpha” theory popular on why it’s no longer accurate. YNP #038 : The One Thing You Need to Know About Dog Behavior. YNP #040 : How to be Your Dog’s Pack Leader Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jan 4, 2024

If you have a dog that refuses to go outside in the rain. you know how annoying and time consuming it is. It’s even worse when you’re trying to potty train a young puppy that isn’t going to hold it until it stops raining. For most dogs they will learn to tolerate it but for others it may always be a struggle. We know we should stay positive to try and change their association but when you’ve been outside for the 10th time in the rain and they still haven’t gone it’s hard not to let that frustration show through. Different things will work for different dogs. That’s why in this episode I just run through a bunch of things to try to improve your pup’s relationship to being wet and cold so you can both spend more times inside the toasty warm house. In this episode I talk about: Finding the right rain gear . Creating a special place in your yard. Using a potty cue. Change their association with the rain and rain gear. Why does your dog love to swim but hates the rain (or their bath). Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Nov 29, 2023

Teaching your dog to wear a muzzle might not be something that you have thought of. Muzzles have a bad rap and a lot of times we think of them as a last resort type of tool. Where muzzles can benefit us and our pups in a lot of ways. Muzzle training our dog entails exposing our dogs to wearing a muzzle in a positive, stress-free way (see resources below on how to do this). That way when we find ourselves in a situation where one may be necessary our dog already knows the drill. And when we take away that bad stigma and don’t hesitate to use one, it can bring all stress levels down making everything go smoother. Plus, there’s reasons that have nothing to do with biting or aggression. As always, the resources I talk about in this episode are listed all below. In this episode I talk about: Why every dog should be exposed to a muzzle regardless of their temperament . Specific situations where we can reduce the stress of all involved by exposing our dog to a muzzle first. Reasons to muzzle train that have nothing to do with aggression. Reasons to use a muzzle while working on behavior modification. Reasons not to hesitate to muzzle train your reactive dog . Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: American Kennel Club : Dog Muzzles: When, Why, and How to Correctly Use Them Vet.Cornell.edu : Muzzle Choices Michael Shikashio : A video on how to Accumulate your dog to a muzzle (this is the guy to follow for ANY muzzle or aggressive dog content). Michael Shikashio : How to find the right fit for your dog. Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Nov 8, 2023

Socialization is the most important training you can do for your puppy. It’s also the most overlooked and misunderstood part of your puppy’s training. When done correctly as a puppy, socialization creates a confident, well adjusted dog. And who doesn’t want that for their puppy? I’ve gathered the 4 most common misconceptions about socialization to help you better understand what socialization is all about. Each topic has it’s own podcast episode where you can learn even more. As always, the resources I talk about in this episode are listed all below. In this episode I talk about: What socialization is . How socialization is about more than dogs. How your puppy’s experience matters. How age matters. When socialization is about dogs. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #074 : How to Socialize Your Puppy Without Leaving Your House. YNP #063 : My 7 Guidelines for Socializing Your Dog YNP #021 : Balancing Vaccines and Socialization YNP #013 : Dog Park vs. Dog Daycare YNP #058 : How to Recognize Appropriate Dog Play Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Oct 11, 2023

Is your dog trying to dominate you? The short answer is no, they are not. And though that might not come as a surprise to you, what isn’t always clear is why it’s not true. Especially because this theory that dogs want to dominate us or some dogs are more “dominate” than others still comes up a lot in dog training. That’s why I want to talk about where this dominance and alpha theory came from, how it’s been debunked, and why it still persists even though we now know better. I believe this information is important because helps us better understand our dog and how they see the world so we can better communicate with them and teach them how we want them to behave in our human world. As always, the resources I talk about in this episode are listed all below. In this episode I talk about: Where the dominance and alpha theory came from . How we now know that there’s no such thing as an “alpha” dog in a natural wolf pack. Why dominance and alpha theory is still (incorrectly) used. What is actually happening when we think we see a “dominate” or “submissive” dog. Why I think it’s so important to understand the difference. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: International Wolf Center : An article by the organization that conducted the ordinal study on why they no longer use the term “alpha”. Dave Mech (pronounced “meesh”) : An article and video by the scientist that wrote the book that made the “alpha” theory popular on why it’s no longer accurate. YNP #038 : The One Thing You Need to Know About Dog Behavior. YNP #040 : How to be Your Dog’s Pack Leader Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Sep 22, 2023

Potty training can be overwhelming. The good news is, one of the first things we can check off the list is getting our puppy to sleep through the night. Potty training overnight is a little different than during the day. Even though they can hold it longer overnight, they still aren’t going to make more than 4 hours or so at first. Our goal is to take them out as little as possible while still minimizing the risk for accidents. I give you the steps to make this happen. I’ve seen puppies as young as 10 weeks sleep through the night but most will be closer to 16 weeks. Hopefully, this episode will get you closer to that uninterrupted night’s sleep! Remember the one thing that trumps all else???? Say it with me WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE YOUR PUPPY OUT! In this episode I talk about: How long your puppy can “hold it” overnight . What to do before bed to prepare for overnight potty breaks. Why I recommend setting an alarm. How to let your puppy sleep longer while lowering the risk of overnight accidents. Additional tips to make overnights a little easier. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #079 : Are you Still Struggling With Potty Training? Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Aug 8, 2023

Potty training can be overwhelming. The good news is, one of the first things we can check off the list is getting our puppy to sleep through the night. Potty training overnight is a little different than during the day. Even though they can hold it longer overnight, they still aren’t going to make more than 4 hours or so at first. Our goal is to take them out as little as possible while still minimizing the risk for accidents. I give you the steps to make this happen. I’ve seen puppies as young as 10 weeks sleep through the night but most will be closer to 16 weeks. Hopefully, this episode will get you closer to that uninterrupted night’s sleep! Remember the one thing that trumps all else???? Say it with me WHEN IN DOUBT, TAKE YOUR PUPPY OUT! In this episode I talk about: How long your puppy can “hold it” overnight . What to do before bed to prepare for overnight potty breaks. Why I recommend setting an alarm. How to let your puppy sleep longer while lowering the risk of overnight accidents. Additional tips to make overnights a little easier. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy YNP #079 : Are you Still Struggling With Potty Training? Playtime Paws Academy : A membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jul 21, 2023

When we thing of what our dog’s walk should look like we think of them walking by our side without being distracted by anything and only sniffing when we say it’s ok. Spoiler alert! There is NO “should”. I’m here to let you off the hook. Your walk doesn’t have to be perfect. As long as your dog is 6 feet from you, you and your dog are enjoying the walk, and everyone around you is safe, then I don’t care what your walk looks like. No we don’t want them dragging us down the street (then we wouldn’t be enjoying the walk) but we also don’t need them in a “heel” position the whole time (then they wouldn’t enjoy the walk). It’s about finding the balance that works for you and your dog. In this episode I talk about: What my rules for what your dog’s walk should look like. What my rules aren’t. Why every dog should know “heel”. Why I encourage your walk to NOT be perfect. A note about puppies and when your dog should have strict rules. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #011 : Reasons to Leave Your Retractable Leash at Home YNP #050 : Three Most Common Leash Walking Questions Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jul 7, 2023

When we thing of what our dog’s walk should look like we think of them walking by our side without being distracted by anything and only sniffing when we say it’s ok. Spoiler alert! There is NO “should”. I’m here to let you off the hook. Your walk doesn’t have to be perfect. As long as your dog is 6 feet from you, you and your dog are enjoying the walk, and everyone around you is safe, then I don’t care what your walk looks like. No we don’t want them dragging us down the street (then we wouldn’t be enjoying the walk) but we also don’t need them in a “heel” position the whole time (then they wouldn’t enjoy the walk). It’s about finding the balance that works for you and your dog. In this episode I talk about: What my rules for what your dog’s walk should look like. What my rules aren’t. Why every dog should know “heel”. Why I encourage your walk to NOT be perfect. A note about puppies and when your dog should have strict rules. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #082 : Let’s Update Your Dog’s Microchip www.Canva.com : A free design tool to help you make your lost posters. Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jun 29, 2023

A microchip is a tiny device that is placed below your pet’s skin. It has a unique 15 digit code that you register along with your contact information. This way if your pet ever gets lost, shelters, veterinarians, police stations, and others can scan the microchip and access your contact info and help return your pet to you. Think of it like a tag that can’t get lost or fall off. Microchipping your dog is a pretty standard and safe practice nowadays. Most breeders and rescues automatically chip their dogs before sending them to their forever homes. In certain place like the UK, Canada, and some cities within the US require your dog to be microchipped. That is how effective it is at keeping dogs (and cats!!) out of shelters. Unfortunately, one problem persists. It is extremely common for a lost pet to stay lost simply because the microchip information is out of date or not registered in the first place. That is exactly what we’re going to prevent happening to you and your pets! I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to make sure your dog’s microchip is registered and up to date even if your unsure if your dog has one or what the number is. In this episode I talk about: Why you should microchip your dog. How to figure out if your dog is microchipped. Where to go to find the number (or get your dog microchipped). How to register or update your information. Where to go if you don’t know where or if the microchip is registered. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: Animal Humane Society: List of websites where you can register your pet’s microchip Microchip Registry Look Up (www.petmicrochiplookup.org): A registry where you can find where your microchip is registered. Playtime Paws Academy : A digital membership for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jun 12, 2023

When we thing of what our dog’s walk “should” look like we think of them walking by our side without being distracted by anything and only sniffing when we say it’s ok. I’m here to let you off the hook. As long as your dog is 6 feet from you, you and your dog are enjoying the walk, and everyone around you is safe, then I don’t care what your walk looks like. ​ In this episode I talk about: What my rules for what your dog’s walk should look like. What my rules aren’t. Why every dog should know “heel”. Why I encourage your walk to NOT be perfect. When your dog should have strict rules. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #011 : Reasons to Leave Your Retractable Leash at Home YNP #050: Three Most Common Leash Walking Questions Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

May 8, 2023

Most of the time we want to use the cue “off” to tell our dogs to “get down”. For example, when they jump on us or our guests or when they jump on the table or counter. I have nothing against teaching this cue, I just approach it in a different way. If we think about it, what we really want to teach our dog not to jump up. So, if we need to use the word “off” that means they’re already preforming the behavior we don’t want. BUT if we teach our dog a habit of keeping four paws on the ground then the cue “off” becomes irrelevant. So this the behavior I like to focus on. Essentially we want to teach our dogs that all the attention, fun, play, food, etc. only comes when four paws are on the ground so they never even think about jumping up! In this episode I talk about: Why I don’t teach off (not that I have anything against it). Why to focus on the behavior not the cue. A different way to look at this type of training. Examples of alternatives to teaching “off”. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #008 : When Your Dog Jumps Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Apr 15, 2023

Potty training is hard. It can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. Even then you can still have a random accident here and there up to a year. It’s a process that we can’t rush our puppy through. We can set them up for success as much as we can but it usually takes as long as it takes. If you’ve been It can be very disheartening especially when the kids don’t want to play with the puppy anymore. That’s why I’m giving you my three favorite games that I teach my clients to help with a nipping puppy. Each one is designed to give you a way to interact and play with your puppy while keeping sharp teach away from sensitive fingers. Each of these games are great for kids and adults. The the games I teach are: Puppy Soccer Freeze Tag Flirt Pole (this one is actually a toy which I have pictured below) In this episode I talk about: Why puppies nip and bite. To prevent nipping it’s sometimes about changing the game. My three favorite games to play with a nipping puppy. How to teach your puppy each game. When to involve the kids. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #046 : Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still be Struggling Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Mar 6, 2023

Nipping is one of the biggest struggles every puppy parent goes through. It can be very disheartening especially when the kids don’t want to play with the puppy anymore. That’s why I’m giving you my three favorite games that I teach my clients to help with a nipping puppy. Each one is designed to give you a way to interact and play with your puppy while keeping sharp teach away from sensitive fingers. Each of these games are great for kids and adults. In this episode I talk about: Why puppies nip and bite. To prevent nipping it’s sometimes about changing the game. My three favorite games to play with a nipping puppy. How to teach your puppy each game. When to involve the kids. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #046 : Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still be Struggling Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jan 22, 2023

A strong recall is one of the most important behaviors your dog can have. That is why I wanted to replay this episode about how to get a stronger recall. This is a special training that I do inside my digital products ( YOUR Perfect Puppy and Playtime Paws Academy ) I talk about how I approach recall as a habit that you and your dog need to develop (not just a command to teach). This part is overlooked so often when teaching recall I wanted to replay this episode once again to make sure that you get to listen. If you have already listened to Episode 51 you will probably pick up on even more if you give it another go. I also go over the most common mistakes that I see and small adjustments that you can make to get that stronger recall. In this episode I talk about: The way I approach recall (not as a command to teach). Common mistakes to avoid. Small adjustments that make a big difference. Due to popular demand, 14 Days to a Stronger Recall is now available as a stand along program (find more info below). Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: 14 Days to a Stronger Recall YNP #004 : 3 Things You Can Do Now to Teach Your Dog to Come Every Time Rover Round Robin : A family game that also reinforces recall. Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Dec 9, 2022

A lot of new puppy owners wonder if it’s OK to use a pen in addition to or instead of a crate. The idea of giving your puppy or young dog room to move around and play is a very appealing one. BUT there are some drawbacks to giving them this extra space. A emphasize using the crate because I believe it is an essential tool to have throughout your dog’s life. A pen can be an extra accessory but we have to make sure that we are using it correctly. In this episode I talk about: The biggest difference between using a crate vs using a pen. The drawbacks during potty training. How to use a pen after potty training. Three common follow up questions I receive when talking about using a pen. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #005 : Crate Training: How (and why) to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best Friend YNP #028 : 5 Reasons to Use the Crate When You’re Home YNP Special Edition : Q&A Tuesday: Crate Training YNP #072 : Should You Use a Potty Bell? YNP #056 : Potty Training for a Working Household Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Oct 8, 2022

Every dog needs a collar and leash. There are many options out there so let’s talk about them. Each of these tools has it’s advantages and disadvantages and there’s no one perfect solution that works for every dog. In part one I talked about the different types of leashes . In this episode (part two) I talk about the most common types of collars and harnesses that are available. I also share my recommendations and which ones I think you should avoid. By the end you’ll have a better idea of what will work for you and your dog. Here are the different types of collars and harnesses I talk about: Flat Collar: This is the most common type of collar. It usually holds some kind of identification. You may or may not use this one for walks as well as everyday use. There is a slightly different version that has similar uses which I talk about next. I recommend the flat collars that have a quick release (which is the type of clip you see in the picture). Most flat collars have this type of clip. What I don’t want you to use the type collar where you have to loosen and tighten the collar to get it on and off. There are many ways for these collars to get caught up and you want to be able to get them off quickly. Martingale Collar: This collar is very similar to the flat collar. The difference is that there is an extra piece that when a leash is attached and they pull the collar pinches together to make it just small enough so they can’t pull out of the collar. It’s NOT a choke collar (in fact if it chokes your dog then it’s too tight). It’s made for safety reasons so your dog can’t pull back and out leaving you standing there with a leash and collar and no dog! This is the everyday collar I recommend. As with a flat collar, you may or may not use this for walks and I recommend using one with the quick release clip. Harness: Harnesses are also very recognizable. I favor this tool for everyday walking. For some dogs a harness can encourage pulling and you loose a little control compared to a neck collar. That being said, I’ve seen enough neck injuries to still recommend a harness over a neck collar for walks. If you have a heavy puller there are some separate tools for that. So let’s talk about them… Head Collar or Gentle Lead: This tool is specifically designed to help with leash pulling. When your dog pulls forward the collar pulls their head around taking away their leverage. It’s very effective. The biggest drawback is dogs hate it. They don’t like the strap that sits around their nose. Some dogs will get used to it but for the most part they tend to reject it. Front Clip Harness: This is the tool I recommend for leash pullers. Essentially it’s a regular harness with a clip in the front as well as the back. You don’t need the double leash like in the picture but some do come designed that way. It works in a similar way to the head collar. When your dog starts to pull forward they get turned around and lose their leverage. It’s very important to get the fit right for these, otherwise it’s just the harness that spins around, not the dog. What I don’t recommend: E-collar, pinch collar, choke collar. Each of these tools are designed to make your dog uncomfortable to stop a behavior. In my experience these cause more behavior problems than they fix. Those are the tools I talk about in part two. Head over to Episode #75 for part one where I talk about the different types of leashes. In this episode I talk about: The most common types of collars and harnesses. Which tools I recommend and why. My recommendations for young puppies. Which collars I don’t recommend and why. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #075 : Different Leash Walking Tools (Part 01: Leashes) Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Sep 26, 2022

Every dog needs a collar and leash. There are many options out there so let’s talk about them. Each option has it’s advantages and disadvantages and there’s no one perfect solution that works for every dog. So in this episode (part one) I talk about the most common types of leashes that are available. In part two I talk about the different types of collars and harnesses. I also share my recommendations (which may or may not be right for you) and which ones I think you should avoid. By the end you’ll have a better idea of what will work for you and your dog. Here are the different types of leashes I talk about: Standard Leash: The standard leash is the most common type of leash and the one I recommend for everyday use. The material can vary but that is your personal preference. I do recommend a light weight material and clip for puppies. Long Line: The long line is the other type of leash that I recommend. It’s not an every day leash but it has lots of training uses. Anytime you want to give your dog more freedom but still have the control of a leash to keep them safe. For example, your back yard (even if it’s fenced in for a young puppy) or a park when you want to play a game of fetch. I find 30 feet is long enough to give your dog some freedom but not too long where the leash is hard to handle. Slip Lead: I used to use a slip lead to teach loose leash walking. I don’t anymore because they need to be used correctly to be safe and effective. It’s very easy to use them incorrectly and then they become a choke collar which is dangerous and ineffective. I now use other loose leash walking tools that are easier to learn and are still effective. I’ll talk about them in part two. Retractable Leash (a.k.a. Flexi Leash): I do NOT recommend a retractable leash. They are one of those tools that seems like a good idea but in practice they are not. In fact, I have an entire episode about it. YNP #011 : Reasons to Leave Your Retractable Leash at Home Those are the tools I talk about in part one. Stay tuned for part two where I talk about the different collars and harnesses that are out there. In this episode I talk about: The different types of leashes. Which leashes I recommend and why. My recommendations for young puppies. Which leash I don’t recommend and why. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #011 : Reasons to Leave Your Retractable Leash at Home Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Sep 9, 2022

Socialization is the most important training you can do for your Puppy. We want to get our puppy out from the very beginning. There are also lots of things we can do every day at home in addition to the outside world. Bonus: Socialization tires a puppy out! In this episode I talk about: A quick review on what it means to socialize your puppy. Why socialization is so important. 5 ways to socialize your puppy without leaving your home. Lot of examples and ideas to keep you and your puppy busy for a long time. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #021 : Balancing Vaccines and Socialization YNP #063 : My 7 Guidelines to Socializing Your Puppy Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jun 27, 2022

Something I get asked often is how I feel about using a potty bell. If you listened to my complete guide to potty training then you know that I don’t mention using a bell at all but does that mean I don’t want you to? No go ahead…well, maybe… While I’ll show my clients how to use the bell if they ask, I find myself talking them out of it more often than not. I’m not against using a bell, I just find that it doesn’t work in the way we may think. BUT as long as our expectations are in the right place a potty bell might work for you. So stick around until the end when I tell you exactly how to teach your dog to ring a bell to go outside. In this episode I talk about: Why I may hesitate to teach the bell. Why a bell might not work the way you think it will. Conversations I have with my clients before teaching the bell. Reasons a potty bell might work for you. How to teach your dog to ring a bell to go outside. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #010 : Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Jun 3, 2022

Something I get asked often is how I feel about using a potty bell. Stay can be a useful command (“Stay” so I can take your picture). It can be used for safety (“Stay” while I clean up this glass that just broke). I also use it all the time to focus an overstimulated dog. With just a few adjustments you can build a foundation to a stronger and longer Stay. In this episode I talk about: How to set your dog up for success. What’s wrong with the Stay-Come exercise. How to reset them when they break. Stay is a one syllable word. What makes Stay different from other cues. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #012 : The Most Important Part of Your Dog’s Obedience Training Playtime Paws Academy : A brand new program for dog and humans in any s

Dec 10, 2021

Teaching your dog “Stay” is one of the easier cues to teach your dog…if we do it right. And of course most of us are doing it wrong. Stay can be a useful command (“Stay” so I can take your picture). It can be used for safety (“Stay” while I clean up this glass that just broke). I also use it all the time to focus an overstimulated dog. With just a few adjustments you can build a foundation to a stronger and longer Stay. In this episode I talk about: How to set your dog up for success. What’s wrong with the Stay-Come exercise. How to reset them when they break. Stay is a one syllable word. What makes Stay different from other cues. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #012 : The Most Important Part of Your Dog’s Obedience Training What’s Next? Feeling stuck because your puppy just won’t stay put no matter how many times you practice? You’re not alone AND you’re not doing anything wrong. You might just need some extra guidance. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. ​ You’ll build the core behaviors that matter most — like stay, attention, and impulse control — using real-life training that actually fits into your day. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, an entire library of enrichment activities, and training refreshers Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to help you get a “stay” you can actually count on.

Nov 8, 2021

Nov 5, 2021

Maybe you’ve never heard of raw feeding your dog. Maybe you have but you’re not quite sure what it means. This episode can start to answer some of your questions. Raw feeding is something that I’ve dabbled in but I am NO expert. Since I do get questions about it all the time, I’ve decided to bring in Kasie Maxwell Grujcic to help teach us more about it. Kasie has been raw feeding for 30 years and is the founder and owner of San Francisco Raw. If you are new to raw feeding this is a great opportunity to hear from the perspective from someone who’s been doing it for a while. This episode is Part 1 of a two part series. In Part 2 we focus on raw feeding puppies. In this episode we talk about: Kasie’s story. A brief history of traditional dog food. What is raw feeding? How it’s easier than most people think. The different ways of raw feeding. How to start. Press play and enjoy! Other resources provided by Kasie: Raw supportive vets worldwide: https://rfvs.info/find-a-vet/ Local supplier resources for ingredients: www.eatwild.com Nationally available prepared raw foods (alternative to Answers Pet Food which Kasie no longer recommends): https://www.kurepetfood.com/ Nationally available prepared raw foods: https://rawdogfoodandco.com/ Raw food consultants: https://freshfoodconsultants.org/canine-consultants Puppy feeding guide: https://perfectlyrawsome.com/raw-feeding-puppy-guides/ Raw feeding myths: http://rawfed.com/myths/ Related articles from Kasie’s blog: https://sfraw.blog/2016/09/14/baywoofs-september-nutrition-issue-featured-article-starting-puppies-on-a-raw-food-diet-by-kasie-maxwell/ https://sfraw.blog/2017/05/10/making-using-raw-goat-milk-slurry-for-naturally-reared-puppiesyoung-dogs/ https://sfraw.blog/2018/02/25/perfect-canine-poop-qa-whats-a-normal-stool-for-a-raw-fed-dog-question-about-constipation/ Ways to contact Kasie: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sfraw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sfraw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatgroovyeats/ (how she feed her own dog) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briarandbones/ (her cats) Website: http://sfraw.net/ Direct scheduling link: https://sfraw.as.me/Kasie

Sep 14, 2021

“Practice makes perfect.” We all know that one. Well it’s just as true for our dogs. When we teach our dogs how to sit we know to start at step one and work them up to a reliable sit in any situation. When we want to change a behavior (like barking, digging, leash walking, or counter surfing) it’s no different. We don’t usually think of it as something we have to intentionally practice but this is exactly what is going to change it. When you teach someone algebra, first they need to know how to add and substract. Our dogs are no different. We think about how we want the behavior to change in the moment and try to work there when really we have to back up a whole bunch of steps and practice in easier more controllable situations. In this episode I talk about: What intentional practice means. The difference between changing a behavior and just reacting to it. Why it’s important to work in controlled environments. Why practicing when the behavior isn’t happening is important. How to resist the easy button. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #027 : How to Handle a Shy Dog YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Aug 17, 2021

In part one we talked about demand barking. Here in part two I go into detail about alter barking. Alert barking is when your dog is barking at something. A dog out the window, a noise like a doorbell, your neighbor who’s washing their car, etc. ​ In this episode I talk about: Summary of what we talked about in Part 1 . What is alert barking. The different techniques to handle alert barking. Examples of different scenarios and how to handle them. How to recognize when they are barking out of fear. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #027 : How to Handle a Shy Dog YNP #063 : My 7 Guidelines for Socializing Your Dog YNP #066 : How to Stop a Dog From Barking (Part 1) See Part 1’s show notes for links to these episodes: Episodes to help with barking while crate training Episode to help with barking because of separation anxiety Episode to help with barking while on a leash Other resources: YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Jul 30, 2021

I’m back to burst some bubbles (POP!). Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my fenced-in yard just like most dog owners. But just like with most things that make our lives easier there’s a downside. I’m here to help you minimize them! My goal is to make sure that you and your dog can use your backyard in the best way possible. And that means there’s some training that needs to happen before you just let them loose! This applies if you have a puppy or a full grown dog! In this episode I talk about: Why letting a puppy have the run of the backyard too soon can backfire. How to handle a dog that already has bad habits. How a fenced-in backyard can ruin your recall. How to work on a stronger recall in your backyard. When it’s time to let your dog run around unsupervised. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #019 : The Downside of a Fenced-in Backyard (Part 1) YNP #051 : How to Get a Stronger Recall YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. Enter your text here…

Jul 9, 2021

Allison is back with some more great tips on how to take better photos of your dog! Back in Episode 52 Allison In this episode Allison talks about: How to approach a photo session with your dog. How to photograph two dogs together. How to handle a dog that won’t sit still. How to photograph a dog with a dark face. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #052 : ​ How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog with Allison Shamrell Allison’s Free Facebook Group: How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog Allison’s Instagram: @takebetterphotosofyourdog Allison’s website: Allison Shamrell Pet Photography YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. ​

Jun 24, 2021

May 28, 2021

Socializing your dog, especially when they are young is SUPER DUPER important. If you have listened to me at all then this is not news to you. You know that you have to expose your dog to many different people, places, environments, sounds, textures, and, yes, dogs. This creates that confident, well adjusted dog that you can take anywhere and not have to worry about them. BUT we need to do it right. That is why I developed my 7 Guidelines for Socializing a Dog. Not only do we want to expose our dog to all these different things and situations but we need to make sure that we create a good association! In fact that is guideline #1! In this episode I talk about: Why socialization is important to do at a young age (3-16 weeks!). How to handle a shy dog. How to handle it when things go bad. How you, the human, need to act. How to create a good association. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #021 : Balancing Vaccines and Socialization YNP Episode : How to Socialize Your Puppy During Social Distancing YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Mar 12, 2021

Your puppy’s schedule will vary depending on many factors. Including age, exercise needs, and your schedule. When I’m asked about what a typical day looks like I know that I’m actually being asked things like: “How many times should I take my puppy out?” “How much exercise should my puppy get?” “How much time is too much time in the crate?” To help answer these questions and give you a place to start, in this episode, I talk about what a typical day might look like for a 10-week old puppy and how it will change as your puppy gets older. In this episode I talk about: What your puppy’s schedule will revolve around depending on their age. How exercise and enrichment vary depending on your puppy’s age. How your puppy’s schedule will change as they get older. Examples from clients on the daily schedules that work for them. Bedtime and wake time. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Feb 22, 2021

Your puppy’s schedule will vary depending on many factors. Including age, exercise needs, and your schedule. When I’m asked about what a typical day looks like I know that I’m actually being asked things like: “How many times should I take my puppy out?” “How much exercise should my puppy get?” “How much time is too much time in the crate?” To help answer these questions and give you a place to start, in this episode, I talk about what a typical day might look like for a 10-week old puppy and how it will change as your puppy gets older. In this episode I talk about: What your puppy’s schedule will revolve around depending on their age. How exercise and enrichment vary depending on your puppy’s age. How your puppy’s schedule will change as they get older. Examples from clients on the daily schedules that work for them. Bedtime and wake time. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #056: Potty Training for a Working Household YNP #018: Ditch the Bowl and Make Mealtime an Event YNP #042: 10 Ways to Play With Your Dog YNP #059: How to Teach Your Dog to Fetch Rover Round Robin : Instructions to a fun, structured, family game that also reinforces recall. 11 activities to do with your dog The flirt pole : Found under toys section of my recommended supply list. YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. What’s Next? Still wondering if your puppy’s schedule is “right”? You’re not alone! You’re just like any human trying to raise a dog. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. From potty breaks and crate routines to balancing naps, training, and enrichment, I’ll help you create a schedule that works for you and your puppy . And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you to help you stay on track as your puppy grows. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to help you feel confident in your day-to-day routine.

Jan 6, 2021

When we imagine kids and puppies we think that they go together like peanut butter and jelly (or my preference – chocolate). The reality isn’t so sweet. Your puppy and your kids LOVE each other. But sometimes it’s that same love and excitement that causes scratches, tears, and a disheartening relationship. When we have kids and a puppy in the same house it takes a lot more management and referring than most expect. We can have that amazing relationship that we imagined when you got the puppy for the kids, but it does take some work to get there. Be sure to check out all the resources below that I mention throughout the episode. In this episode I talk about: What the kids/dog relationship looks like vs what we imagine. Why there can be more tension with the kids than with adults. My recommended house rules for families with young kids. Other tips to manage and make sure the puppy and kids stay best friends. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: The Family Dog : One of the most powerful videos about the kid/dog relationship and why we need to respect it. If your puppy is ever going to have contact with kids, watch this 2.5 minute video. Rover Round Robin : Instructions to a fun, structured, family game that also reinforces recall. 11 activities to do with your dog The flirt pole : Found under toys section of my recommended supply list. YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. What’s Next? Feeling unsure how to manage the chaos of kids and a new puppy? You’re not alone AND you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just like any human trying to raise a dog with little humans. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. You’ll learn how to create a safe, fun, and low-stress relationship between your puppy and your kids with real-life tools, boundaries, and games that everyone will love. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of family friendly enrichment activities to help you navigate real-life challenges as they come up. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to help make this stage a little easier for your whole family.

Dec 28, 2020

Debbie here! I just wanted to jump into your podcast feed one more time this year. First I want to thank you, my listeners once again for being a bright spot in an otherwise stressful year. I also thought it would be fun to take a look back at this year’s most popular episodes and also talk about what’s to come in 2021. No training advice in this one. Just a little conversation between us humans. Press play to listen! Resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #046: Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still Be Struggling YNP #050: The 3 Most Common Leash Training Questions ​ YNP Episode: How to Prevent Separation Anxiety During Stay-at-Home YNP #053: Tips to Introduce Your Dog and Cat YNP #051: How to Get a Stronger Recall Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: The Not-So-New Puppy Workshop YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Dec 20, 2020

If your dog listens to you inside your house that doesn’t mean they know what you want outside on their walk. Even if you are asking for the same thing. Dogs are very contextual and need to be taught how to listen even when there distractions. The good news is, if your dog listens to you in your kitchen then you already know how to teach your dog to listen with distractions! If you want your dog to listen to you in a new environment you have to reteach them the same skill like they have never learned it before. Then it’s about practice, practice, practice. In this episode, I talk about how to teach your dog to listen with distractions! Press Play and enjoy! In this episode I talk about: How to think about distractions. Practice, practice, practice. How to know when to increase or decrease the distractions. How to prepare for the unexpected. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #054: How to Use Training Treats Properly YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Dec 9, 2020

When you are new at watching dogs play it can be confusing. Dog play is actually play fighting so if you haven’t made a career out of knowing dog body language it’s easy to get concerned even when dogs are having a grand old time. Learning dog body language is like learning any new language. It takes study, time, and a whole lot of practice. As a dog parent we do want to have a “conversational dog” understanding. You aren’t going to learn everything in one podcast episode. My goal is simply to give you more confidence when your pup is playing to know if they are having a good time and let them go it if it’s time to break it up and let it rest. In this episode I talk about: Signals that two dogs give to let us know they are playing When it’s OK to give them a break What to do when you think one dog is not playing nice What to do if you are not sure A word about dog parks As promised, below are a couple videos to demonstrate some of the signals and signs I talk about inside the episode. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #013: Dog Park vs. Dog Daycare YNP #034: Introduce Your New Puppy to Your Current Dog YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Nov 20, 2020

If your dog listens to you inside your house that doesn’t mean they know what you want outside on their walk. Even if you are asking for the same thing. Dogs are very contextual and need to be taught how to listen even when there distractions. The good news is, if your dog listens to you in your kitchen then you already know how to teach your dog to listen with distractions! If you want your dog to listen to you in a new environment you have to reteach them the same skill like they have never learned it before. Then it’s about practice, practice, practice. In this episode, I talk about how to teach your dog to listen with distractions! Press Play and enjoy! In this episode I talk about: How to think about distractions. Practice, practice, practice. How to know when to increase or decrease the distractions. How to prepare for the unexpected. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #054: How to Use Training Treats Properly YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy.

Nov 6, 2020

How do you handle potty training when all the adults in the housework full time? This is a question I get asked a lot. Mainly because my listeners know I do not like the use of potty pads (for more on that, check out Episode 009 ). If you are going to be out of the house longer than your puppy can hold regularly, how do you handle that without using potty pads? My short answer is “get help!” I know, it’s not what you want to hear. And you may think, “wait, SO MANY people have dogs and work, how do they do it?” I address that too. At the very least I highly recommend working out a schedule to give your pup potty breaks – which might mean getting help from a sitter, neighbor, or friend – until at least 6 months (longer depending on your dog). That is the minimum age a puppy can be left alone for an extending period. I think it’s of great benefit for both you and your puppy to go beyond that and I explain why in this episode. Press Play and enjoy! In this episode I talk about: What I mean by a working household. Why I highly recommend you get help instead of using potty pads. Why it’s about more than potty training. Remember you have a puppy not a dog (yet). Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #009: Why Indoor Pads Should NOT be Used When House Training Your Puppy YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One Facilities YNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet Sitters YOUR Perfect Puppy : 4-week online training course for you and your new puppy. What’s Next? Feeling overwhelmed trying to raise a puppy while working full-time? You’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re just like any human trying to raise a dog. That’s exactly why I created YOUR Perfect Puppy — my digital program that gives you a clear plan to follow and direct support from me every step of the way. Whether you’re navigating crate training, potty breaks, or how to keep your puppy engaged with a busy schedule , I’ve got you covered. Plus, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment ideas to help you through every stage of puppyhood, even the chaotic ones. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . I’d love to help make things feel a little more doable.

Oct 21, 2020

Does it feel like your trainer just tells you to stuff your dog’s belly full of treats and say then they’re trained? Treats are an essential tool to raising our well-mannered dog but the lesson on HOW to use the treats properly gets lost. And we really want to avoid that place where your dog will only listen if you have a treat in your hand. In this episode I talk about: Why we use treats. What’s the difference between high value and low value treats (and when do we use them). How to know when to come away from the treats. How to ween your dog off the treats but still have a dog that listens. Press play and enjoy! Other resources from this episode: YNP #031: Reward Your Dog Without Treats

Oct 9, 2020

Does it feel like your trainer just tells you to stuff your dog’s belly full of treats and say then they’re trained? Treats are an essential tool to raising our well-mannered dog but the lesson on HOW to use the treats properly gets lost. And we really want to avoid that place where your dog will only listen if you have a treat in your hand. In this episode I talk about: Why we use treats. What’s the difference between high value and low value treats (and when do we use them). How to know when to come away from the treats. How to ween your dog off the treats but still have a dog that listens. Press play and enjoy! Other resources from this episode: YNP #031: Reward Your Dog Without Treats

Jul 30, 2020

We all have a hundred (ok, ok hundreds) of photos of our dog. But how many are keepers? If you are anything like me you have 600 pictures and 2 end up as keepers In this episode, let’s welcome Allison Shamrell to give us all her best tips on how to get better photos of your dog, even if all you have is a cell phone! This is a fun episode and I learned so much from Allison and I know you will too! What we talk about: How to take better photos with just your cell phone What obedience commands will come in handy How to take a great action shot You can learn even more from Allison here: Allison’s Free Facebook Group: How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog Allison’s website: Allison Shamrell Pet Photography

Jul 15, 2020

We all have a hundred (ok, ok hundreds) of photos of our dog. But how many are keepers? If you are anything like me you have 600 pictures and 2 end up as keepers In this episode, let’s welcome Allison Shamrell to give us all her best tips on how to get better photos of your dog, even if all you have is a cell phone! This is a fun episode and I learned so much from Allison and I know you will too! What we talk about: How to take better photos with just your cell phone What obedience commands will come in handy How to take a great action shot You can learn even more from Allison here: Allison’s Free Facebook Group: How to Take Better Photos of Your Dog Allison’s website: Allison Shamrell Pet Photography

Jun 18, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

May 22, 2020

Separation anxiety is always been something dog owners need to be aware of. How to be alone is something that we have to teach our dogs. In a perfect world we start this when they are puppies with crate training and the natural rhythm of our lives as we need to go to work, school, family functions or just out to dinner. But right now we aren’t doing any of those things. As we are spending so much more time with our dogs a concern that has come up recently is how our dogs will react when we do start leaving the house again. In this episode, I address exactly that. I have you some ideas on how to ease your dog or puppy back into being alone (or maybe being left alone for the first time). I talk about specific considerations during this time of COVID-19. If this is something you are struggling with I also recommend you check out Episode 022: How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety.

May 8, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Apr 22, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Apr 8, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Apr 3, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Apr 1, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Mar 30, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Mar 22, 2020

***This episode was recorded on March 22, 2020 and uses the best information available at that time. With information is constantly changing, please keep informed and stay safe according to the most accurate, science based, up to date information available.*** In the best of times, it’s important to know how to socialize your puppy. Even though these are not the best of times, socialization is no less important. How are you supposed to socialize your puppy when you’re not allowed to socialize yourself?!?! Well, the situation isn’t perfect but we can make the best of it. In this episode, I talk about what you can focus on during social distancing and adjustments you can make to still get these essential life experiences in for your puppy. In short, we are going to work with what we got! Press play and enjoy!

Mar 20, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Mar 4, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Feb 13, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Jan 30, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Jan 16, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Jan 3, 2020

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Dec 18, 2019

Especially with a new puppy, you’ll hear 20 times a day, play with your puppy, exercise your puppy, stimulate your puppy so they don’t get bored, bond with them to create a strong relationship… OK OK, we get it’s important but after 160 games of fetch things get a little…well, boring. In this episode, I’m going to go through 10 ways to play with your dog. And this is just to get you started, it doesn’t stop here, not even close. In reality, there are hundreds of ways to play with your dog. I want you and your dog to get creative and take it from here. With the cold weather settling in here in NJ I decided to concentrate on indoor activities. It’s easy to take things outside and get all the exercise and entertainment you need. It’s when you’re stuck inside that things get harder. No matter what activity we do with them, we are entertaining, stimulating, and bonding with them. It’s tiring them out that can sometimes seem impossible. That is why I also focused on ways that will up the exercise and tiring out factor. At the end of the day (literally) what we want is a tired and happy dog! Your dog will probably have their favorites. I hope you can find something you love, your dog loves AND gets everyone to sleep! Let’s get those creative juices going!! Press play to listen and enjoy!!

Dec 4, 2019

There is only one thing that you need to know about dog behavior to teach or stop any behavior! Yup, when it comes down to it, our dogs are very simple creatures. In this episode, I am revealing my secret. This is what I use to solve 90% of my client’s training issues. I have centered my life around dog behavior. And everything I have learned and observed comes down to this one thing. SPOILER ALERT… The one thing you need to know about dog behavior ***Dogs do what works for them…always; and they don’t feel guilty about it.*** That’s it. If your dog is exhibiting some behavior then it is working for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing it. The trick is to understand what’s working. We can use it to our advantage to teach a behavior. For example, you want to teach your dog to sit, you give them a treat every time their butt hits the floor when you say “sit”. Now, that behavior works for them so they are going to repeat it. Or we want to stop a behavior. For example, your dog barks at you and you give them attention by looking at them or even telling them “no.” That behavior now works for them and they will repeat it. To change the behavior we have to take the attention away. The top 4 most common things your dog is looking for is Attention Food Release extra energy Relieve boredom These are not the only things but they are the place to start. The concept is easy, it’s applying that gets tricky. Sometimes it’s super obvious (your dog jumps on the counter and gets to the food) or not so obvious (your puppy is whining in the crate for attention, not to go potty). This episode is chock full of examples on how to apply this. Now you know my secret. This is the same place I always start when trying to teach or stop a behavior. It takes practice, but if we take a hard look at our dog’s behavior (and ours) you will see the pattern. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Nov 20, 2019

There is only one thing that you need to know about dog behavior to teach or stop any behavior! Yup, when it comes down to it, our dogs are very simple creatures. In this episode, I am revealing my secret. This is what I use to solve 90% of my client’s training issues. I have centered my life around dog behavior. And everything I have learned and observed comes down to this one thing. SPOILER ALERT… The one thing you need to know about dog behavior ***Dogs do what works for them…always; and they don’t feel guilty about it.*** That’s it. If your dog is exhibiting some behavior then it is working for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing it. The trick is to understand what’s working. We can use it to our advantage to teach a behavior. For example, you want to teach your dog to sit, you give them a treat every time their butt hits the floor when you say “sit”. Now, that behavior works for them so they are going to repeat it. Or we want to stop a behavior. For example, your dog barks at you and you give them attention by looking at them or even telling them “no.” That behavior now works for them and they will repeat it. To change the behavior we have to take the attention away. The top 4 most common things your dog is looking for is Attention Food Release extra energy Relieve boredom These are not the only things but they are the place to start. The concept is easy, it’s applying that gets tricky. Sometimes it’s super obvious (your dog jumps on the counter and gets to the food) or not so obvious (your puppy is whining in the crate for attention, not to go potty). This episode is chock full of examples on how to apply this. Now you know my secret. This is the same place I always start when trying to teach or stop a behavior. It takes practice, but if we take a hard look at our dog’s behavior (and ours) you will see the pattern. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Nov 2, 2019

There are three types of training that you need to turn your puppy into a well-rounded, well-behaved, and well-mannered dog. When we think of training our dog we usually think about teaching our dog to “listen to me” I want him to come when I say come and stay when I say stay. Or we don’t even think about training until a bad behavior starts and we want to correct it. In this episode, I talk about three different types of training that you need. My goal is to get you to approach training your dog a little differently. Instead of it being something that you do when needed it’s actually something that you do from the day you bring your dog home and then every day for the rest of their lives. Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Here is a summary of each type I talk about. Skills training This is the type of training that we think of. It involves formally training your dog to do something on command. The most common example is obedience training. This is the training we gravitate to because it’s really easy to see. We tell our dog to do something and we do it. The feed back is obvious. Plus, we are vocal creatures. Preventative training Preventing bad habits before they start. This is where the simple act of putting your shoes away is training your dog. You are preventing them from discovering inappropriate chewing Habit training Where preventative training is stopping bad habits before they start, habit training is creating everyday good habits. All Three There isn’t one of these that is more important than the other. In fact they all work together and most of the time you will be using more than one. So, you don’t have to know which one you are doing when. The point here is that training is more than just teaching your dog to “listen to us.” Sometimes training is done in the everyday subtle things like closing the front door or putting the remote on a high shelf or playing with our puppy when they pick up their own toys to chew on. I also want to make sure that you understand that just about everything we do with our puppy means something. this can help in those moments that you feel that nothing is happening and your puppy isn’t learning. Remember those little things count just as much as big stuff. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Oct 23, 2019

There is only one thing that you need to know about dog behavior to teach or stop any behavior! Yup, when it comes down to it, our dogs are very simple creatures. In this episode, I am revealing my secret. This is what I use to solve 90% of my client’s training issues. I have centered my life around dog behavior. And everything I have learned and observed comes down to this one thing. SPOILER ALERT… The one thing you need to know about dog behavior ***Dogs do what works for them…always; and they don’t feel guilty about it.*** That’s it. If your dog is exhibiting some behavior then it is working for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing it. The trick is to understand what’s working. We can use it to our advantage to teach a behavior. For example, you want to teach your dog to sit, you give them a treat every time their butt hits the floor when you say “sit”. Now, that behavior works for them so they are going to repeat it. Or we want to stop a behavior. For example, your dog barks at you and you give them attention by looking at them or even telling them “no.” That behavior now works for them and they will repeat it. To change the behavior we have to take the attention away. The top 4 most common things your dog is looking for is Attention Food Release extra energy Relieve boredom These are not the only things but they are the place to start. The concept is easy, it’s applying that gets tricky. Sometimes it’s super obvious (your dog jumps on the counter and gets to the food) or not so obvious (your puppy is whining in the crate for attention, not to go potty). This episode is chock full of examples on how to apply this. Now you know my secret. This is the same place I always start when trying to teach or stop a behavior. It takes practice, but if we take a hard look at our dog’s behavior (and ours) you will see the pattern. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Oct 18, 2019

There are three types of training that you need to turn your puppy into a well-rounded, well-behaved, and well-mannered dog. When we think of training our dog we usually think about teaching our dog to “listen to me” I want him to come when I say come and stay when I say stay. Or we don’t even think about training until a bad behavior starts and we want to correct it. In this episode, I talk about three different types of training that you need. My goal is to get you to approach training your dog a little differently. Instead of it being something that you do when needed it’s actually something that you do from the day you bring your dog home and then every day for the rest of their lives. Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Here is a summary of each type I talk about. Skills training This is the type of training that we think of. It involves formally training your dog to do something on command. The most common example is obedience training. This is the training we gravitate to because it’s really easy to see. We tell our dog to do something and we do it. The feed back is obvious. Plus, we are vocal creatures. Preventative training Preventing bad habits before they start. This is where the simple act of putting your shoes away is training your dog. You are preventing them from discovering inappropriate chewing Habit training Where preventative training is stopping bad habits before they start, habit training is creating everyday good habits. All Three There isn’t one of these that is more important than the other. In fact they all work together and most of the time you will be using more than one. So, you don’t have to know which one you are doing when. The point here is that training is more than just teaching your dog to “listen to us.” Sometimes training is done in the everyday subtle things like closing the front door or putting the remote on a high shelf or playing with our puppy when they pick up their own toys to chew on. I also want to make sure that you understand that just about everything we do with our puppy means something. this can help in those moments that you feel that nothing is happening and your puppy isn’t learning. Remember those little things count just as much as big stuff. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Oct 11, 2019

There are three types of training that you need to turn your puppy into a well-rounded, well-behaved, and well-mannered dog. When we think of training our dog we usually think about teaching our dog to “listen to me” I want him to come when I say come and stay when I say stay. Or we don’t even think about training until a bad behavior starts and we want to correct it. In this episode, I talk about three different types of training that you need. My goal is to get you to approach training your dog a little differently. Instead of it being something that you do when needed it’s actually something that you do from the day you bring your dog home and then every day for the rest of their lives. Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Here is a summary of each type I talk about. Skills training This is the type of training that we think of. It involves formally training your dog to do something on command. The most common example is obedience training. This is the training we gravitate to because it’s really easy to see. We tell our dog to do something and we do it. The feed back is obvious. Plus, we are vocal creatures. Preventative training Preventing bad habits before they start. This is where the simple act of putting your shoes away is training your dog. You are preventing them from discovering inappropriate chewing Habit training Where preventative training is stopping bad habits before they start, habit training is creating everyday good habits. All Three There isn’t one of these that is more important than the other. In fact they all work together and most of the time you will be using more than one. So, you don’t have to know which one you are doing when. The point here is that training is more than just teaching your dog to “listen to us.” Sometimes training is done in the everyday subtle things like closing the front door or putting the remote on a high shelf or playing with our puppy when they pick up their own toys to chew on. I also want to make sure that you understand that just about everything we do with our puppy means something. this can help in those moments that you feel that nothing is happening and your puppy isn’t learning. Remember those little things count just as much as big stuff. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Oct 9, 2019

There is only one thing that you need to know about dog behavior to teach or stop any behavior! Yup, when it comes down to it, our dogs are very simple creatures. In this episode, I am revealing my secret. This is what I use to solve 90% of my client’s training issues. I have centered my life around dog behavior. And everything I have learned and observed comes down to this one thing. SPOILER ALERT… The one thing you need to know about dog behavior ***Dogs do what works for them…always; and they don’t feel guilty about it.*** That’s it. If your dog is exhibiting some behavior then it is working for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing it. The trick is to understand what’s working. We can use it to our advantage to teach a behavior. For example, you want to teach your dog to sit, you give them a treat every time their butt hits the floor when you say “sit”. Now, that behavior works for them so they are going to repeat it. Or we want to stop a behavior. For example, your dog barks at you and you give them attention by looking at them or even telling them “no.” That behavior now works for them and they will repeat it. To change the behavior we have to take the attention away. The top 4 most common things your dog is looking for is Attention Food Release extra energy Relieve boredom These are not the only things but they are the place to start. The concept is easy, it’s applying that gets tricky. Sometimes it’s super obvious (your dog jumps on the counter and gets to the food) or not so obvious (your puppy is whining in the crate for attention, not to go potty). This episode is chock full of examples on how to apply this. Now you know my secret. This is the same place I always start when trying to teach or stop a behavior. It takes practice, but if we take a hard look at our dog’s behavior (and ours) you will see the pattern. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Sep 27, 2019

There are three types of training that you need to turn your puppy into a well-rounded, well-behaved, and well-mannered dog. When we think of training our dog we usually think about teaching our dog to “listen to me” I want him to come when I say come and stay when I say stay. Or we don’t even think about training until a bad behavior starts and we want to correct it. In this episode, I talk about three different types of training that you need. My goal is to get you to approach training your dog a little differently. Instead of it being something that you do when needed it’s actually something that you do from the day you bring your dog home and then every day for the rest of their lives. Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Here is a summary of each type I talk about. Skills training This is the type of training that we think of. It involves formally training your dog to do something on command. The most common example is obedience training. This is the training we gravitate to because it’s really easy to see. We tell our dog to do something and we do it. The feed back is obvious. Plus, we are vocal creatures. Preventative training Preventing bad habits before they start. This is where the simple act of putting your shoes away is training your dog. You are preventing them from discovering inappropriate chewing Habit training Where preventative training is stopping bad habits before they start, habit training is creating everyday good habits. All Three There isn’t one of these that is more important than the other. In fact they all work together and most of the time you will be using more than one. So, you don’t have to know which one you are doing when. The point here is that training is more than just teaching your dog to “listen to us.” Sometimes training is done in the everyday subtle things like closing the front door or putting the remote on a high shelf or playing with our puppy when they pick up their own toys to chew on. I also want to make sure that you understand that just about everything we do with our puppy means something. this can help in those moments that you feel that nothing is happening and your puppy isn’t learning. Remember those little things count just as much as big stuff. Press play to listen to the full episode with more details and examples. Enjoy!

Sep 12, 2019

Raising a puppy is something we have to learn. It’s not natural for us humans. So just like with learning anything new we are going to make a few mistakes along the way. First we have to know what mistakes we are making in the first place. In this episode, I talk about 4 mistakes I see new puppy owners make (and what to do instead). Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Let’s take a quick look at each one. #1. Give too much freedom too soon When we first imagined having a dog we thought about a dog wandering around the house, sleeping on the couch or freely playing the back yard. Then when we bring our puppy home we end up giving them too much freedom too soon. What I mean is within the first couple weeks home you give the puppy the run of the first floor of the house or let them run around in the back yard (yes, even if you have a fenced-in yard). This is too much freedom for a new puppy! You will have that dog that freely runs around your home but right now you have a puppy and there is some work to get there. What to do instead: Right now they are learning EVERYTHING about your world and how to live in your house. Think of their freedom as something they earn by building trust and a bond with you, not something they automatically get when they move into your home. Until they earn that freedom, keep your puppy’s world small, and closely supervised. The more freedom we give our puppy the more trouble they get into. #2. Underestimating the importance of socialization Socialization is THE most important training you can do for your puppy. So many new puppy owners aren’t aware of just how important it is or they simply misunderstand it. When I say socialization most think about letting their puppy play with other dogs. This is true, but interacting with other dogs is only a small part of socializing your puppy. Socializing teaches your puppy to interact properly with EVERYTHING in their environment. It goes from sounds, textures, smells, climbing stairs, being handled, as well as interacting with people and other dogs. The other part that is greatly misunderstood is that you can’t put off socialization. Socializing has the greatest impact between the age of 3-16 weeks. This isn’t something we can change. It’s how a puppy’s brain grows and matures. This also happens to be the time so many dog owners are keeping their dogs inside and avoiding interaction with the outside world. Usually at the advice of their own vet or breeder because of vaccinations. I talk all about balancing socialization and vaccinations in Episode 21 . An under-socialized dog has trouble adjusting to new people and places. A well-socialized dog is a confident dog that can go anywhere with you. You can’t over-socialize a dog but you can very easily under-socialize a dog. The Socialization lesson inside YOUR Perfect Puppy (my 4 week puppy course) is by far the biggest lesson because it’s SO important. What to do instead: If you have a puppy at home get your puppy out there experiencing new people and places AT LEAST 3 times a week (every day if possible). If you have one coming soon, be ready to hit the ground running. #3. Ignoring behaviors hoping that they grow out of them The dangerous part about this one is that there is some truth to it. As your dog matures they will be less likely to cause trouble. Their energy decreases, their need to chew, explore, and rebel also decrease. BUT when they are puppies they are discovering everything and learning how to live in our world. So if we let the behavior go it can turn into a habit that will last into their adulthood. There is so much work to do and so much energy that goes into raising a puppy it’s really tempting to let behaviors go and cross our fingers. Unfortunately, there is a good chance we are creating more work for ourselves later. What to do instead: Address any unwanted behavior that comes up by teaching them the proper way to act or to prevent the behavior completely. #4. Mistake boredom or lack of exercise for bad behaviors. When a dog is bored or has too much energy they will find ways to entertain themselves. When it comes to puppies this can lead to a slew of bad behaviors like excessive nipping, chewing, barking for attention, etc. When this happens we get stuck in a loop of putting band-aids on the specific behaviors when the simple solution is to help your puppy burn off their energy in constructive ways (a walk, training, a game of fetch, a few hours at daycare, etc.). What to do instead: When your puppy starts misbehaving, take a step back and think about how much exercise and stimulation they got today. It can’t hurt to take them for a walk or simply give him something constructive to do to distract them from the unwanted behavior. Press play below to listen to the full episode (or find Your New Puppy anywhere you listen to your podcasts) Want to skip the mistakes and start off on the right paw? Raising a puppy isn’t supposed to be perfect but it doesn’t have to feel like guesswork either. You’re just a human trying to raise a dog. Inside YOUR Perfect Puppy I walk you through everything you need to confidently guide your pup through those chaotic early months — including how to avoid the most common (and costly) missteps. With four weeks of on-demand lessons plus direct access to me for all your questions, you’ll feel supported every step of the way. And because puppyhood doesn’t stop after four weeks, you’ll also get ongoing access to Playtime Paws Academy — my membership community with weekly live calls, a private forum, and an entire library of enrichment activities to help you navigate anything that comes your way. Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . Let’s raise your puppy with fewer regrets and way more tail wags.

Aug 7, 2019

Where should your dog sleep? This is a simple question with multiple answers. On one had I have a strong recommendation where your dog should be sleeping. On the other, it really doesn’t matter as long as you make the decision and then stick with it. To make this more clear I’m will split my answer into two parts: Should your dog sleep in or out of the crate? Where in the house should your dog sleep (including on the bed)? In this episode, I talk about when I have a recommendation, when it’s up to you and things to conciser when deciding. Here is a preview of what I will talk about. Should your dog sleep in or out of the crate? This is where I have a strong recommendation depending on your dogs age and behavior. During potty training, your puppy should be sleeping in a crate. Even if you know they can sleep through the night without an accident while in the crate, doesn’t mean they won’t have one if they are out of the crate. Throughout adolescence (18-24 months) they should still be in their crate or at the very least a puppy-proofed room. The more access they have to the house the more trouble they can get into. And when you are sleeping, I’m going to guess you aren’t supervising. Where in the house should your dog sleep? Beyond those two recommendations, your dog can sleep outside your bedroom, inside your bedroom but not on the bed, or on your bed. There is no right or wrong answer but there are some things to conciser. No matter where you decide your dog will adjust and be perfectly happy. The key here is to decide early, and stick with it! Once you let the dog up on the bed with you it is going to be a hard habit to break. Listen to the whole episode to get all the details. Enjoy!

Jul 24, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Jul 10, 2019

My dogs aren’t perfect, so what? You would think because I’m a dog trainer I would care more. But that’s exactly why I know that it’s OK.

Jun 26, 2019

There are so many dog supplies out there it can be overwhelming. Over the years I have developed a list of my go-to supplies that I use and recommend to my clients. In this episode, I talk about what my favorite dog supply is in each of these 8 categories and why they have become my go-to. All supplies can be found on Amazon.com, Chewy.com, or BarkBox.com. Disclosure: I only recommend products I have used and loved and all opinions expressed here are my own and are NEVER paid for. That being said, this post may contain affiliate links that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. A full list of my recommended supplies. 1. Training treat: Freeze dried liver I never met a dog that could resist these liver treats. You can break them down into small training pieces or even sprinkle some on top of a picky eaters food. There is only one ingredient and they are made in the USA. 2. Leash pulling tool: Front clip harness I prefer using harnesses for leash walking in general. Especially if you have a heavy puller. The traditional collar can put a lot of pressure on the neck. With the leash clipped in the front (you don’t need a double leash like the picture below) when they start to pull they get turned around so it’s hard for them to get the leverage they need to pull hard. 3. Food bowl: Treat ball I may be cheating a little bit with this one. It’s not actually a food bowl, but it is my favorite way to feed your dog. Instead of inhaling their dinner from a bowl, they knock around a ball and their food comes out. You have to feed your dog anyway, let them occupy themselves for 20 minutes instead of 20 seconds. 4. Chew toy: Kong Similar to the treat ball above you can stuff the Kong with your dog’s dinner or some homemade healthy wholefoods (skip the store bought stuffing). Now your puppy is occupied, chewing, and eating something healthy or their own food! 5. Teething chew: Ice cube Simple, free and can entertain your dog for hours (weather permitting). Best part is, they are already in your freezer. 6. Bone: Deer antler Antlers can be a little pricey but they last a loooong time. I like to use these as the special bone they only get in their crate during crate and potty training. 7. Crate: Life stages crate A crate is an essential tool for any new puppy owner. There are lots of types out there. The life stages crate comes with a divider so it can grow with your puppy. You can also buy an oversize crate and remove the divider once your puppy is potty trained. 8. Dog supply company: BarkBox* There aren’t many companies I get excited about but this one is an exception. BarkBox is a monthly subscription box full of treats and toys. The toys are high quality, the treats are healthy and they take great care in making the details fun! They are a fun, cheeky company that also does lots of work with rescue and shelter pets. *This link uses a referral code that any current BarkBox customer can give you. If you have a friend that already uses BarkBox, use their code and they will get a free box. I have my free box going to a shelter pet. Listen to the full episode below and enjoy!

Apr 17, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Apr 10, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Apr 3, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Mar 20, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Mar 6, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Feb 6, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Jan 23, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Jan 9, 2019

The thought of raising two puppies together can create a lot of warm, fuzzy, and fun images. They will keep each other company, entertain each other, exercise each other, and create perfect Instagram moments of snuggling together in their bed. We go into it aware that it will take more work. Of course, it makes sense, there are two puppies instead of one. What we don’t realize until we get them home is that it doesn’t take twice the work, it takes THREE times the work as raising one puppy. When a client asks me: “How to do I train two dogs at the same time?” My answer is: “You don’t.” Not until you train each one separately so they understand what you are asking. Then you can bring them together and train them as a pack. That is where three times the work comes in. AND it doesn’t stop at skills training. There are many activities you will need to do with your puppies both separately and together. There are also many reasons for this which I talk about within the episode. Litter-mate syndrome You need to have a relationship and bond with each dog on their own and with both dogs as a pack. Prevent separation anxiety from each other by giving them time apart. Teach them to have the confidence to deal with any environment with and without their sibling there. This is A LOT of work to train and prevent behavior problems. Enough that most dog trainers recommend that you don’t ever get two dogs from the same litter. It can be done, if you are prepared for it. If you already have two puppies or if you are set on getting two, I give you some examples on how to tackle all of this work . If you are still thinking about getting two puppies, I give you the advice I usually give my clients who really want two dogs. Enjoy!

Dec 26, 2018

We are always told “prepare for emergencies.” The problem is the nature of an emergency is they are unpredictable and the situations are usually not something we expect. All we can do is do our best to prepare so when it happens we at least have a head start. The type of emergencies I talk about in this episode is any situation where you either, can’t make it back home or you have to leave your home. Having a dog can make both of these situations even more complicated. When faced with an emergency you will have a lot of things to think about. Planning ahead can take the stress out of the situation that you are dealing with. In this Episode I walk you through making a list of people, places, and things that you may need in these types of emergencies when it comes to taking care of your dog. Keep this list in a safe place so it’s ready for you when you need to use it. My hope for you is that this will be the best time you ever wasted. Links mentioned in this Episode: YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One YNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet Sitters Coming Soon: YOUR Perfect Puppy ‘s online course Photo by Patrick Carr on Unsplash

Dec 12, 2018

We are always told “prepare for emergencies.” The problem is the nature of an emergency is they are unpredictable and the situations are usually not something we expect. All we can do is do our best to prepare so when it happens we at least have a head start. The type of emergencies I talk about in this episode is any situation where you either, can’t make it back home or you have to leave your home. Having a dog can make both of these situations even more complicated. When faced with an emergency you will have a lot of things to think about. Planning ahead can take the stress out of the situation that you are dealing with. In this Episode I walk you through making a list of people, places, and things that you may need in these types of emergencies when it comes to taking care of your dog. Keep this list in a safe place so it’s ready for you when you need to use it. My hope for you is that this will be the best time you ever wasted. Links mentioned in this Episode: YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One YNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet Sitters Coming Soon: YOUR Perfect Puppy ‘s online course Photo by Patrick Carr on Unsplash

Nov 28, 2018

A question I get ALL the time is about taking your puppy outside before they are fully vaccinated. This question usually comes up during potty training but my answer has nothing to do with potty training. In short, your puppy needs to get out and start experiencing the world BEFORE they are fully vaccinated. I know this can come into direct conflict with your veterinarian’s advice. I am not telling you to ignore your vet! As the title of this episode suggest it is all about balancing your puppy’s physical health and their behavioral development. In this episode I talk about: What socialization is. What science tells us about when socialization is the most important. Why the advice of “keep your puppy inside until fully vaccinated” is still around even though it’s not what is best for your puppy. Suggestions on how to balance the risks of keeping your puppy physically and mentally healthy. Don’t take my word for it. In the episode, I talk about the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and their statement on puppy socialization. Their website is https://avsab.org/ You can get the statement I reference right here or by going directly to their website (which I recommend, they have lots of great information on dog behavior). ​

Apr 11, 2018

We are always told “prepare for emergencies” or “make an emergency preparedness plan.” The problem is the nature of an emergency is they are unpredictable and the situations are usually not something we expect. All we can do is do our best to prepare so when it happens we at least have a head start. The type of emergencies I talk about in this episode is any situation where you either, can’t make it back home or you have to leave your home. Having a dog can make both of these situations even more complicated. When faced with an emergency you will have a lot of things to think about. Planning ahead can take the stress out of the situation that you are dealing with. In this Episode I walk you through making a list of people, places, and things that you may need in these types of emergencies when it comes to taking care of your dog. Keep this list in a safe place so it’s ready for you when you need to use it. My hope for you is that this will be the best time you ever wasted. Links mentioned in this Episode: YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One YNP #015: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part Two Pet Sitters Now Released : YOUR Perfect Puppy ‘s online course

Dec 15, 2017

A fenced-in backyard is considered a very valuable resource for a dog owner. It makes owning, potty training and exercising your dog SO much easier. Or does it? With anything that makes our lives easier there is always a downside. I know this, because I share this struggle with you. In this episode I talk about a very recent experience I had with my own dog. Lucy’s behavior started to worsen out of nowhere and I started to get worried and frustrated all at the same time. Until i realized what was happening. Lucy was BORED OUT OF HER MIND. My fenced in backyard allowed me to get lazy and now Lucy and her behavior were showing it. With an acre of room and her sister to play with she had plenty of exercise but was lacking any other stimulation. This is why, fenced in yard or not, it is still important to get into the habit of walking your dog right away. In this episode I share my own struggle and tips on how we can work on it together . Photo by Aaron Bookout on Unsplash I did take my own advice! Immediately after recording this episode I regretted it ( 😉 not really) because, I had to take my own advice, right? So even though it looked like this outside: My actual front yard. I tapped into my inner Jersey girl, toughened up, put on my snow boots, grabbed the girls’ leashes, and went out the door. I’m SO glad I did. Once I was out there and moving, it wasn’t as cold as I thought AND apparently snow changes the smell of everything because the girls acted like they haven’t seen that tree outside a hundred times before. Leash walking resources https://positively.com/dog-behavior/basic-cues/loose-leash-walking/ ​ https://ferndogtraining.com/episode20/

Dec 1, 2017

Nov 15, 2017

We know that finding the right dog food for our dog is important. It can also be overwhelming. Most of us want to be able to walk into a pet store, pick up a bag and make the right decision. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There is a lot of different information out there about which dog food. Deciphering what is true and what is based on common beliefs that may or may not be outdated is next to impossible. To help you out, this in this episode I go over 5 myths associated with commercial dog food. Most of these myths came from a small amount of truth BUT through a game of telephone, the misconceptions grew. The worst of it, are some of the dog food companies take advantage of these myths to continue to sell us low-quality food for our pets. The 5 Dog Food Myths (and what the truth is) #1: Find a dog food your dog likes and stick with it. (not always) #2: Dog food has a long shelf life (sorta) #3: Grain-free means low carb (nope) #4: Higher price means higher quality (not even close) #5: The first ingredient should be meat (Yes! But that’s not the whole story) Decoding Pet Food Labels Free 5-day course delivered to your inbox. As mentioned in this episode I have a FREE dog food label mini-course! It’s a 5-day video series that goes through all the different parts of the label, from the description on the front to the ingredient list on the back. Ready to learn more about the food you are feeding your pet? Sign up below to receive this FREE series. You can also learn more about what’s inside the lessons here . [tcb-script src=”https://playtimepaws.mykajabi.com/forms/159494/embed.js”][/tcb-script]

Nov 9, 2017

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” – Benjamin Franklin The best way to stop your dog from jumping up on people is not to allow him from to do it from day one. The best way to stop your dog from sleeping on the bed with you is to teach him to sleep in his own bed from day one. I know, it sounds so simple. When your dog is a puppy it’s easy to let him jump because at that point it’s cute, not annoying. And right now he doesn’t take up that much room in the bed. It is so easy to let certain behaviors happen when they are small and cute but we end up having to fix bad habits later In this Episode, I talk about using preventive training and house rules to think ahead and make training easier. Biggest takeaway Ask yourself and your family the following questions and start enforcing the house rules from day one. Will this behavior be appropriate in the future? Will this behavior be appropriate when our puppy is full grown? Will this behavior be appropriate with small children, grandma, guests, etc? It can be tough to enforce these rules when all you want to do is play and snuggle and give your puppy whatever they want, but I promise you, your family AND your puppy will thank you for it. Resources Mentioned in the Episode Episode #008: When your Dog Jumps: How to Prevent and Correct Jumping up on People Photo by Tim Trad on Unsplash

Oct 18, 2017

Welcome to Part Two of the two-part series on helping you find the right dog care for you. In part one ( Episode #14 ) I talked all about facilities. In this episode I talk about Pet Sitters. Who will take care of your dog when you can’t is a very common concern for most dog owners. With good reason. There is a high level of trust that has to happen for you to feel comfortable to leave your dog in someone else’s hands. Good news is there are a lot of options out there nowadays. The bad news is there is a lot of options out there nowadays. There are a few things to consider when deciding which option is right for you and your dog. Remember that your comfort is just as important as your dog’s comfort. If you are nervous about leaving your dog then your dog will be nervous about being left. Even if you are clear about which service you want, now you have to find the place or person you trust. The only way to really do that is to talk to them and ask lots of questions. Remember this is your dog you will be leaving with them, don’t be shy about getting all the information you can. In this episode I talk about your different options when considering a pet sitter. Most pet sitters will do home visits. Home visits are where the sitter comes and takes care of your dog while he stays in his home environment. Some pet sitters will even take your dog into their home and stay while you are away. In this episode I talk about both options plus how to find the pet sitter that is right for you and your dog including: Decide on what your priorities are Do your research Call and ask questions Schedule a meet and greet Do a test run. Don’t forget to check out part one (episode 14) where I talk all about facilities. Dog Care Questionnaire To help you through this process I have provide you with a questionnaire you can use as a starting point to ask lots of questions and figure out which pet sitter is going to be the best for you and your dog. The questions are split into two categories: Pet sitters that come to your home and pet sitters that will take your dog into their home. The questions are designed to give you a head start. They center around getting a clear picture of what is happening inside a facility once you drop your dog off. Use these questions exactly or modify and add questions depending on your priorities and needs. Episode #015 Free Tool: Dog Care Questionnaire for Pet Sitters Get Your Free Tool Additional Resources mentioned in this Episode Episode 14 : YNP #014: How to Choose the Right Dog Care – Part One Rover.com Pet Sitters International National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

Oct 12, 2017

Do a test run. Don’t forget to check out part two (episode 15) where I talk all about pet sitters. Dog Care Questionnaire To help you through this process I have provide you with a questionnaire you can use as a starting point to ask lots of questions and figure out which facility is going to be the best for you and your dog. The questions are designed to give you a head start. They center around getting a clear picture of what is happening inside a facility once you drop your dog off. Use these questions exactly or modify and add questions depending on your priorities and needs. Episode #014 Free Tool: Dog Care Questionnaire for Facilities Get Your Free Tool

Sep 28, 2017

Both Dog Parks and Dog Daycares are a place for your dog to get exhausted while playing with their friends. Beyond that, you and your dog’s experience are quite different. Where dog parks are free, daycares cost money. You get to stay and interact and play with the other dogs and people at a dog park but a daycare allows you to take a break while your dog is having fun. The biggest difference is the socialization and safety of your dog. Like anything that is free, a dog park involves more caution and risk. With dog parks, any owner can show up. Daycares carefully monitor the dog’s health and behavior that participate in the play. Biggest Takeaway If you take anything away from this episode it’s this: If your goal is to socialize your dog then a daycare is a place to go and you should avoid the dog park. If you have a dog that is already well socialized, then a daycare still works. A dog park can too, as long as you use common sense and caution. In this episode, I go through the pros and cons of each so you can decide what is best for you and your dog.

Sep 20, 2017

You don’t have to be a dog person to know about basic obedience. It’s usually the first thing you think of when someone says “training a dog”. It is popular for very good reasons. I could list a hundred reasons for you and your dog to go through some kind of obedience training. In this episode, I name a few but I mostly talk about what, in my opinion, is the most important part of your basic obedience education. YOU are the most important part of your dog’s obedience training. Learning the commands is only half the story. Developing the relationship and bond is the other. You can’t have one without the other. If you have ever had a dog or have known a dog that only listens to one person in the family or if you have ever known a dog that knew all his commands but still didn’t behave properly then you know what I’m talking about I feel that if you approach your training as a relationship building exercise then you are going to get the most out of it. Obedience training isn’t a cure-all but it can create the foundation of your relationship and all training to come. Have you taken an obedience class? Tell us your experience. What was the best thing you got out of it? What do you wish was different? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Sep 13, 2017

I find so many dog owners go right for their retractable leash. And I get it! I did the same thing when I got my first dog. Retractable leashes make so much sense in theory; make it short when I want to, give them freedom when I want to. It’s like 10 leashes in one!” Except they are anything but convenient for the safety and training for your dog. If you don’t already have a retractable leash you have most likely thought about buying one. You might even think that it’s the type of leash you’re “supposed” to get. EVERYONE has one. I’m here to tell you to resist the peer pressure!! This episode is short and sweet. I go through many different reasons why you should grab your regular ol’ leash and leave the retractable leash at home next time you head out the door with your dog. Once you make the switch, I promise you will understand. The main reasons you should leave your retractable leash at home: Control Safety Bonding Resource control Enjoy!!

Jul 20, 2017

Potty training is a rite of passage for all puppy owners. It’s not the pretty part of owning a new puppy but it’s the one training none of us can ignore. Sometimes we forget that our dogs don’t come pre-programmed to go to the bathroom outside. This is a habit we have to teach them. The concept of potty training and what you need to do isn’t hard. The time, the effort, and the emotional roller coaster, that’s what’s hard. And even if you do EVERYTHING right there’s still going to be accidents and speed bumps along the way. There are going to be times where you are going to wonder if you’re ever going to get your life back. When are you going to be able to sit on your couch and snuggle with your puppy without constantly worrying if he has to go outside? I promise you, that time will come. First, we have to get through the potty training process. There’s no skipping it. Yeah just have to do it. Though we can’t avoid it there are some ways to make it quicker and easier. Here I have broken down my Complete Process to Potty Training Your Puppy. By the end you will know exactly what to do when. You can read on or… You can press play below to listen to Episode 10 of Your New Puppy’s Podcast here: (A podcast is a radio show or an audio blog where you can listen to me talk instead of reading about it) I’ve also put together a 2 page cheat sheet for you with all the information and tips summarized. You can print it out and have it handy throughout the process. It also includes a potty training schedule to help you keep track of everything. The Potty Training Cheat Sheet and Schedule is free and yours to download and keep. Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy I’ve created a guide for you that summarize the steps and tips I talk about in the episode. I’ve also created a one-page Puppy Tracker for you to use to keep track of your dog’s schedule, any accidents that happen and your wins! Keeping track of these things will be extremely helpful if coordinating with multiple people in the household. It is also a great way to find patterns if things aren’t going smoothly. In the simplest terms, we are teaching our dog, the proper place to go to the bathroom is outside. Potty training is such a common thing for us; we forget that it’s not natural for our dogs. What IS natural for our dogs is to not go in their sleeping area. That’s why using a crate during potty training makes the whole process faster and more efficient. When used correctly, the crate will give him a safe and secure place when we can’t supervise which will greatly reduce accidents. I talk more about crate training in Your New Puppy’s Podcast Episode 05 . I also do NOT use indoor potty pads at all. You don’t want your puppy to have any idea that he might be allowed to go to the bathroom inside. I talk about why I don’t use potty pads in Your New Puppy’s Podcast Episode 09 . How long it takes will depend on your dog, on you, and your family. Some dogs just pick it up right away, some struggle. It will depend on how closely you will be able to stick to the process. It takes time and energy and sometimes we are going to drop the ball. What I can promise, is if you stick to this process you will see progress within a week. Let’s go over exactly what to do, when. When should you take your dog out? We want to make sure we’re getting him out before the accidents happen. We’re not waiting for him to start circling the floor or to squat to pick him up and bring him out. We want to get him out before there’s even the potential of an accident. The rule of thumb is your puppy can physically hold it one hour for every month they are old. If they are a bigger breed you can add an hour. Overnight you add an additional 2-3 hours (I talk more about overnight below). This is the MAX we are not waiting until they definitely have to go to take them out. The mantra I teach my YOUR Perfect Puppy students is “when in doubt, take your puppy out.” Which means even if there is a whisper of a thought that your puppy needs to go out you‘re taking your puppy outside. Obvious times are first thing in the morning, right before bed, or if it’s simply been a few hours. PRO TIP: If you are taking him out of his crate, be completely ready before you let him out. Your jacket’s on, shoes are on, leash and bag in hand. All you’re doing is clipping the leash on and walking up the door. If you let him out of his crate and you’re like “oh my shoes are over by the front door” or “oh my jacket’s over in the closet.” Too late, there’s a puddle on the floor. They will also need to go within 30 minutes of eating and 10 minutes of drinking. You want to control the water as well as the food. Most of us are programmed to leave fresh water down all the time. I’m telling you not to do this. I want you to be able to keep track of every single sip of water your dog drinks. You can offer you dog fresh water as often as you want, we are not keeping the water from him we are just controlling it. This is because as soon as they drink we know, within 10 minutes we have to take him out. It’s very easy to miss when he takes a drink and then there’s an accident. This is something that surprises a lot of my puppy clients. Remember this is just during potty training. Pro Tip: Change up the place you take him to go potty. For example, if you only bring your puppy into the backyard, he may start to think that your backyard is the only place he is supposed to go (instead of “outside” in general). Then if you take him anywhere (to a friend’s house, board him, etc.) he will try to hold it until he gets to his “spot” and then an accident happens. If you want him to only go in one spot in your yard, then always bring him to the one spot when you are in your yard. But you also need to take him out of your yard completely. You only have to do this once or twice a week, it doesn’t take much. The best time to do this is first thing in the morning when you know he has to go. Simple walk in a different direction on a walk or take him to the front yard instead of the back. (Concerned about his vaccines? I talk about this in Your New Puppy’s Podcast Episode 21 ) What do you do when once you are outside? You want to minimize the distractions, which is no easy feat. He’s probably gonna want to play with every leave, stick, or blade of grass he finds. Ideally it’s business first. Once he goes, then he can play. In fact, playing can be his reward. A lot of people ask me about treats. The tricky thing with treats is you have to get the timing just right. You have to get that treat in their mouth as they’re going to the bathroom. If we give them the reward when we come back in, they will see the reward for coming back inside, not going to the bathroom outside. ( Y our New Puppy’s Podcast Episode 26 is all about how timing is everything when you reward your puppy) I’ve always had great success with just verbal praise during potty training. I praise the heck out of them while they are going to the bathroom. Do not underestimate the power of your attention . It’s like gold to our puppies. What do you do when you come back in? Well, that depends. Did he go to the bathroom? If the answer is ‘yes’ then fantastic! Now he gets some supervised free time. He gets some freedom around the house because he is empty and we can relax a little bit. Note I said supervise free time. He’s still a puppy and potty accidents are far from the only trouble he can get into. Plus, you never know if there’s still a little bit left in the tank. If the answer is ‘no’ , then he goes back into his crate. I know not fun, but just because he didn’t go, doesn’t mean he’s empty. He could have gotten distracted outside or he simple hasn’t made the connection to why you’re out there. Put him back in the crate, wait 10-15 minutes and then take him back outside. Repeat this until he does go potty. Remember he’s a puppy, so what’s the most it’s going to last, an hour? Once he goes outside we reward the heck out of him and then it’s supervised free time! Using the crate We’ve taken him outside. He finally went to the bathroom He’s gotten some free time. So now what do we do the rest of the day? If you can supervise your puppy then whatever you want (I mean directly supervise, not, he’s in the room with me, not, I can hear him over there, I mean eyes on dog). Ideally you are playing, training, and engaging with your puppy to get rid of all that puppy energy. If you can’t supervise then we use the crate. This prevents accidents and keeps them safe (just to name a few of the benefits of crate training). Give them a toy or bone to occupy them and let them chill. Overnight There is no way around it, you’re going to lose some sleep. Your puppy simply can’t hold it that long yet. I mentioned above that your puppy will be able to hold it a little longer overnight, so hopefully this won’t last as long as the whole process. To be clear, just because your puppy can hold it overnight, does not mean he can hold it for the same amount of time during the day. Their bodies function differently, they aren’t moving around. and it’s been a while since they ate or drank. There are a couple of ways to get through the overnight potty breaks. If you have a couple adults in your household and one goes to bed late and then somebody else wakes up early, then you’re golden. But if you’re the only adult, or if everybody’s on the same sleep schedule, then we’re going to have to make some temporary adjustments.You have a choice. Go to bed a later and get up earlier. So during the potty training, maybe we’re getting a little less sleep. If you would rather keep your bedtime then set an alarm knowing that an overnight potty break is going to happen. If you have a super young puppy (8-12 weeks) you may have to set your alarm for an overnight break no matter what because they won’t be able to go much more than 4-5 hours. The reason for setting an alarm is so you are up and taking your puppy out before they have the chance to whine. Once they realize if they whine in the middle of the night they get let out they may start to whine even if they don’t have to go outside. PRO TIP: Have everything ready the night before and set it right next to their crate. This way when the overnight potty break happens you will create as little stimulation as possible. Minimal lights, noise, and activity. It’s all business and then back to bed. The last thing we want to do is make overnight breaks fun! PRO TIP: No food or water 2 hours before bedtime. Accidents Accidents are going to happen. You can do everything right and they will happen. How you handle an accident is key to the potty training experience. If you do it correctly, it can actually speed up the process! You will find yourself in one of two scenarios: you find the accident, or you see it happen. What you do depends on which of the two scenarios you find yourself in. Let’s talk about each one. You find the accident. If you find the puddle or pile the only thing you can do is clean it up and do better next time (this is where the puppy schedule will help us. I’ll talk about that in a second). To clean it up we use a special enzyme cleaner because we want to remove the scent. Not just the smell that we smell but the smell the dog smells because dogs will naturally go in the same area that smells like a puppy toilet. We can’t punish our dog for something that we didn’t see happen. This is all on us. Obviously if we didn’t see it, we weren’t supervising. The ONLY way to correct a behavior, including an accident, is to see it happen. So let’s talk about that. You catch him in the act. If you see the sniff, the circling, or even the squat what do you do? You startle him (maybe with a “eh, eh, eh” or clap) so he looks over to you, scoop him up and bring them outside . I don’t care if you don’t have your shoes on, I don’t care if you don’t have your jacket on, I don’t care if you get pee on you. Potty training is a messy business. I wouldn’t be telling you to do this if it wasn’t important. This is key. This is the place that your dog is gonna make the connection “we don’t do this here, we do this outside.” I have a lot of people hesitate to do this because they don’t want to scoop their dog up while they’re peeing. Get over that and just do it. No matter which scenario we find ourselves in, the most important thing we do is figure out why it happened. When you are able to see why the accidents are happening you can learn from them and make adjustments. This is where keeping a journal or schedule is important. You will start to see patterns. Maybe accidents happen on Saturdays when your schedule is different. Or maybe they are happening right when the kids get home from school. Or you realize you aren’t supervising your puppy as closely as you should. This is why, included with the free cheat sheet below I have given you a one page schedule with a section to keep track of these accidents so we can learn from them. Free Cheat Sheet The free Potty Training Cheat Sheet below summarizes all of the information and tips I went over above. There is also a puppy schedule for you to keep track of food, potty breaks, accidents and wins! Keeping a journal or calendar will help you see patterns and understand when your puppy eats, goes potty, and when accidents happen. This is essential when you have multiple people in the house hold and need to coordinate. You also want to keep track when you have a big win (no accidents today! he went to the back door!). Tracking your even little wins will remind you of how far you’ve come when you have a set back or hit a bump. Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy I’ve created a guide for you that summarize the steps and tips I talk about in the episode. I’ve also created a one-page Puppy Tracker for you to use to keep track of your dog’s schedule, any accidents that happen and your successes. Keeping track of these things will be extremely helpful if coordinating with multiple people in the household. It is also a great way to find patterns if things aren’t going smoothly. Wrap up There will be a time that you’ll be sitting on the couch at night watching TV with your dog at your feet and you’re going to be like, huh, remember that time, the only thing we thought about was does the dog have to go outside? It will happen, I promise you. Potty training is a rite of passage. Every single puppy owner goes through it. It’s one of those things that if you ever get another puppy, you’re going to forget how hard it was until its happening again. Hugs and Belly Rubs!

Jul 5, 2017

Indoor pads (or wee-wee pads) have a purpose but house training should not be one of them. Indoor pads are one of those products that seem like a good idea and great tool to make house training easier but in the long run it does anything but. Not only does it add more work in the long run but it is possible your pup may never get fully housetrained. In this episode, I talk about why I strongly discourage the use of indoor pads while housetraining. If your intention is to eventually teach your puppy to only go outside these pads can be detrimental to this training. If you plan to use indoor pads indefinitely, I give you a few reasons why that may not be a great idea either. For some indoor pads are a great option but for most, they are not. Potty training is a right of passage for any puppy owner. It’s a time-consuming process that can be frustrating at times so it’s only natural for us to grab something that might make it easier. However, I promise you if you put in the work now, it will be worth it in the end.

Jun 15, 2017

When your dog jumps on you, your family and your friends it can quickly turn into an annoying habit. Luckily there are a few things we can do to prevent or correct this behavior. Most of the time our dog jumps on us it is to get our attention. And if we are honest most of the time, that is exactly what we give them. Remember attention is attention, good or bad. So even if you are telling your dog no and pushing him off you, to your dog, that’s attention. Why does your dog jump? It usually starts when they are puppies because they are so darn cute and it seems harmless. Who can resist those big eyes, right?? Only, when our dogs grow up it may not be as cute and they don’t know the difference. If our pup has always jumped up on us for attention and if it works for them that is what they will always do, muddy paws or not. In this episode, I talk about preventing, ignoring and redirecting your dog’s jumping. I use coming home as the main example but these tips can be used in whichever scenario your dog is jumping on you. Links in this episode: Episode 4: How to Get a Strong Recall: Three Things You Can Do Now to Teach Your Dog to Come Every Time You Call. (I also want to mention I am very surprised I have gotten to episode 8 without my back up singers making an appearance.)

Jun 7, 2017

I had a lot of fun recording our first Q&A episode! You asked some great questions that have influenced the topics of many episodes and now I want to answer some specific questions. In this episode, I answer three great questions sent in by listeners. Topics include: Multiple dog household Handing a new young dog with older dogs The difference between adding a male or female dog to your pack. If you have your own questions to ask we want to hear them. You can email us directly at [yournewpuppy (@) playtimepaws.com] or if you sign up for our weekly updates you will not only get information when new episodes are released but you can reply directly to the email that is sent to you. Links discussed in this episode Episode #002: Which Type of Dog is Right for You Episode #005 : How (and Why) to Make Their Crate Your Dog’s Best Friend Episode #006: My Dog Steals my Stuff!! How to Protect your Dog and your Things Episode #007: Why Dogs Dig and What You Can Do About It Psychology Today – Aggression Between Dogs in the Same Household If you are enjoying this Podcast head over to iTunes and leave us a rating and review! This will help others find us!

May 24, 2017

Does your backyard look like someone has been digging for gold? Having a crater filled back yard is frustrating, not pretty and can even be dangerous. Digging is one of those things that dogs just love to do. It’s right up there with barking and chewing and being with us. The most common reasons why a dog digs is boredom or has too much energy and he is looking to entertain himself. Other reasons could be to cool dog, chase an animal or even escape. Because this is such a natural behavior your best bet is to redirect or distract from the digging instead of trying to just stop it. In this episode, I talk about the reasons dogs dig and some ways to help save your yard. I talk a little about using a “sandbox” which is a designated place in the yard where your dog is allowed to dig. This is what I do and it works well. In fact, here is Lucy sitting in one of her holes. It’s her favorite because it’s nice and cool and she can watch the street.

May 17, 2017

What do we do when our dog steals our stuff? We all know the scene: it’s gotten a little too quiet so you go searching for the little fuzzball that was just at your feet. You turn the corner and there he is, chomping happily away on the book you were reading earlier, or maybe it’s something that clearly came out of the garbage. First, you panic because don’t know how much he actually ate. Once you know he’s ok, it’s time to clean up the mess or mourn the possession you are now tossing in the trash. Dogs love to chew. It’s just a fact. It’s one of the basic things that all dogs do. But when our dog steals our things to chew on it can be dangerous and at the very least, frustrating. What do we do to protect our dog and our stuff? In this episode, I talk about a few things that you can start doing to stop your dog from stealing your stuff. I also go over how to teach him what he is allowed to chew on. To give you an example I have a case study for you to give you an idea of how I handled this in a real world situation. Links and Info in this episode: Episode 5 (Crate Training)

May 10, 2017

When we think of crate training, we usually think of potty training our puppy. It makes sense because these two things go hand and hand. Using a crate is the best and most efficient way to potty train our dogs. In this episode, I want to convince you that crate training goes way beyond potty training. If done correctly a crate can be an essential training tool and a way to give you peace of mind long after potty training is over. In this episode of Your New Puppy I will go over: Benefits to crate training your dog (and keep them crate trained). Pros and cons of the main types of crates. Where in your house your crate should go. How to make your dog LOVE his crate. Tips if your dog doesn’t love his crate right now. Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. Resistance to Crate Training I understand a lot of new dog owners can have resistance to using a crate altogether. A lot of people see it as a cage or think it’s unfair to the dog. Especially if you adopted them from a shelter. I hear this a lot that, “they were in a cage in the shelter. I don’t want to have them in one at home…” I want you to look at it from a different perspective. We have cribs and playpens for our children to give them a place where they can play or sleep. We have peace of mind knowing that they are safe while they’re in there. A crate is for a dog is no different. That’s why I’m going to give you some tips and pointers to make this a great oasis for your dog. That way your dog’s going to love it and you’re going to have peace of mind. It’s a win-win situation. Benefits to Crate Training Your Dog The most common reasons for crate training is to help with potty training and keep them safe (and our stuff safe) while they are still in the chewing stage. What happens is, once he’s house trained and you trust him to be in the house unsupervised, then we come away from the crate and we stop using it altogether. There are a lot of reasons to keep them used to and loving their crate way beyond puppy-hood. When you have to board your dog. Especially if you go with a traditional boarding where they’re going to be confined, even if it’s only at night, if your dog already has a good association with the crate with that, there’s an extra peace of mind knowing that he’s going to be comfortable there. When I used to board dogs in my house I didn’t require a crate (with the exception of puppies not yet potty trained) But if they were crate trained, I highly recommend bringing their crate because the dogs who slept in the crates at night made the best transition to the new environment. I very rarely had any kind of whining or anxiety. If your dog ever has to stay at the vet , either overnight or just during the day, they’re going to keep them in a kennel or crate. Knowing that they will be comfortable in the kennel can take away some of the stress that you will probably feel from having to leave them there in the first place. The few times Lucy had to stay at the vet they commented to me on how comfortable my she was while staying there. She just curled up in the kennel and went sleep. If you have people coming in and out of your house. They could be professionals working on your house or if you have a cleaning service that comes in a few times a month. If you have visitors. Not everyone likes dogs (I don’t understand it, but I respect it). Or everyone is dressed up. Maybe it’s a child that’s a little scared of dogs. It’s great to have an option where you can give your dog a bully stick or a really great toy and he can chill in this crate for a little bit and be perfectly content. If there is an emergency. It’s something we don’t always want to think about but if we ever need to evacuate our home if your dog can be kept in a crate, the options of where you can go and bring your dog with you, increase. These are things that aren’t going to happen every day, but when they do happen, it’s really, nice to have that option. Once your dog is an adult you don’t have to keep them in their crate every day but just enough that they are used to it. For my dogs, what I do is every single time I give my dogs a bully stick, they chew on it in their crate. Now as soon as my hand goes into the bully stick bin, they both run to their crates and that’s where they chew on it. Lucy, my younger girl, still sleeps in her crate every night (I’ll talk about her crate more in a minute). ​Main Types of Crates The first thing that you have to think about is which type of crate is going to work best for you. Let’s look at a few of the most common ones. Wire (Life Stages) Crate: The most popular one is the one that looks like a cage. It’s the wire crate also known as the Life Stages Crate. The biggest advantage to the wire crate is it has a divider where you can make the crate smaller when your dog is a puppy and then you move it out and the crate grows with your dog. Eventually, you can take it out and the dog has the whole crate. The reason this is important is when it comes to potty training, the size of the crate matters. You want to come give him enough room where, he can stand up, turn around, and lie down, but no more. If you give them too much room they may go to the bathroom in one corner and then sleep in the other and you DO NOT want that. Once he learns he can go to the bathroom and the crate you use lose the crate as a tool then house training just becomes a whole lot harder. (I go into potty training in detail in YNP #010: Complete Guide to Potty Training Your Puppy ) They’ll also fold down easily for storage and travel. They can be a little heavy depending on the size. With the wire crates, I also recommend putting blankets over them to kind of give them a snug feeling (I’ll talk more about this in a moment). Most versatile. Divider to change the size of the crate to grow with the dog. Folds down for storage or transport. Looks the most like a cage. Needs towels or blankets on the outside to make cozy. Plastic Kennel (Enclosed Crate) The second most popular one is the plastic Kennel. What’s nice about this one is that they’re already kind of enclosed. So they already have that nice snug feeling. The drawback is, is that they don’t fold down nicely. So if you have a large crate for a large dog they can get big and bulky to store and travel with. They also don’t have a divider where the crate grows with the dog. So you might have to buy a small one when they are a puppy and get a bigger one later. If you have a small dog, it’s really easy to carry them around in these crates. Already enclosed and snug. Airport approved. No way to adjust the size for growing puppies. Can be bulky to travel with. Soft (Travel) Crate Another one that they have is called a travel crate or a soft-sided crate. It’s incredibly light and it’s already enclosed. A lot of them have zippers on the sides where you can open up a flat and vent it but still have a nice cozy feeling. They fold down super easy to take up very little space for storage or travel. It doesn’t have the life stages option where it will grow with the dog. The other downside is because it’s only a canvas material, puppies and big chewers can chew through the material. This is my favorite option if you plan to take your dog on adventures with you. Folds down and is light for easy travel. Already enclosed and snug. No way to adjust the size for growing puppies. Puppies and heavy chewers can chew holes in the material. “End Table” Crate The last type is these really nice crates that look like furniture. It’s essentially this really nice piece of furniture that your dog can sleep in. They are expensive and there are no travel options with them. It can be a good option if you are limited on space so your end table can also be your dog’s crate. Or if you just want a nice looking crate. Attractive ​ Can second as an end table. No travel or storage option. Expensive To pick which one works best for you it all about how it’s going to fit into your life, how it’s going to work with your dog, and what you think the dogs gonna enjoy the most. There are different options out there because everybody’s situation is different. Location in your house Another decision to make is where in the house you should put the crate. This is another one I can’t answer for you. When they’re a puppy and they’re going to be in the crate more often because of potty training or you simply can’t supervise. During this time, it’s nice to have them in a high traffic area, like a kitchen or a living room because then the dog will still be with the family even if he’s hanging out in his crate napping or chewing on their bone during the day. That being said, I also know that a lot of people like their dog to sleep in the bedroom with them. And your new puppy with adjust better at night. I have also seen a lot of puppies adjust just fine not being in the bedroom at night. So… Do you keep the crate in the bedroom? Do you keep the crate in the main family area? Do you have two crates? Do you move the crate? It might be something you might have to play with to see where the dog’s going to be the most comfortable and where it works best into your schedule, your family’s lifestyle. Create yourDog’s Oasis Okay. So let’s get down to how we’re going to make this the best place for your dog to be. Your dog’s little oasis. Our goal is to give him a good association with his crate. We can do this in a few ways. To start, never ever, ever, ever use the crate as punishment. It’s really easy, when the dog’s jumping around, really active, he’s nipping and he kind of gets out of control, to get a little frustrated and put them in this crate. You want to avoid this. The crate is not a timeout tool. The crate is somewhere for him to rest and relax. What IS a good idea is to get him nice and tired before putting him in the crate. Then he’s just out and he’s sleeping and it becomes the place where he gets to rest without being disturbed. You can also scoop him up and put him in his crate whenever he’s taking a nap during the day. You can have special treats that are only for the crate. Having that special treat for just in the crate gets makes the crate an extra special crate. I mentioned before that I use bully sticks. This can also be a deer antler or a favorite toy. Feed him in his crate. You can put his food bowl right in the crate with him. I recommend using a Kong. You can stuff a Kong with their food, maybe a little bit of peanut butter or some other healthy treat like yogurt and mix it in there. It’s great because he’s occupied in his crate, he’s happy because he’s eating this fun, treat and he’s also taking more time and more energy just to eat his meal I talk about using a Kong for mealtime in more detail in Episode 18: Ditch the Bowl and Make Mealtime an Event Make it cozy! When I talked about the different crates above I mentioned making the crate snug and cozy. This is the most important step. You want to create a little cave. This is a picture of Lucy’s crate. I have to pull other dogs out of her crate all the time because everyone wants to sleep in it. I have all sides covered with a blanket to make a little cave. Then inside is a fleece bed and soft blankets to curl up in. Note: Young puppies will probably chew on the bedding. Using an old towel or possibly no bedding at all may be necessary at first. Each of these things you can do at first just to get them to love his crate. You don’t have to do it forever (or you can!). You can anything that’s gonna be enjoyable, safe and he’s in his crate. Pro tip: If you give them a squeaky toy, take it out before you go to bed. Especially if he’s going to be in your bedroom because sometimes they don’t know that at 2:00 am it’s not the time to play it with that squeaky toy. Introducing your puppy (or dog) If you just have a puppy or if you’re bringing a new dog home this is relatively easy. Follow these steps to introduce or reintroduce your dog to their crate. Only move onto the next step when your dog is comfortable with the current step. Set up the crate and leave the door open. Don’t ask them to go in, just let them get used to the crate’s presence. An option is to feed him near the crate. Play with your dog and throw toys and treats into the crate. Continue to leave the door open. Let your dog run in and get the toy and treat and come right back out. Continue to throw his toy or treats in the crate. When he goes in close the door and immediately open it. Continue to throw his toy or treats in the crate. Close the door for longer and longer periods of time (1 second, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, etc.). If you’re dog already doesn’t like the crate First we want to see why your dog is uncomfortable and it could have nothing to do with the crate. These are the most common reasons that a puppy or dog doesn’t like their crate. Something “bad” is happening when they go in their crate. If you only use the crate when you leave the house then your dog is associating his crate with you leaving. Or if you put them in the crate and then use the vacuum. Be aware of what is happening while your dog is in their crate. Remember we want make sure it’s a positive experience. They don’t hate their crate, they are getting some kind of attention for whining. Most of the time when a dog, especially a puppy is continually whining in the crate it isn’t that they hate the crate, they are trying to get your attention. Walking back into the room, a quick “it’s OK”, or worst of all, letting them out will encourage them to do it again. You need to completely ignore them whine you are initially crating training a puppy. I talk more about why puppies will whine in the crate in Episode 28: 5 Reasons to Use the Crate When You’re Home. Big picture Crate training your dog has lots of benefits. When done correctly it will become a multi functional training tool. Pick the crate and location that works best for your family. Then create a good association by making it cozy, making all good things happen in the crate, and never use it as punishment. Press play to listen to the full podcast episode. What’s Next? Want crate training to actually work — without the stress, the guilt, or the constant second-guessing? That’s exactly what we do inside YOUR Perfect Puppy , my digital program that gives you a clear, practical plan for every stage of puppyhood and direct access to me to ask questions like: “Am I doing this right?” “Why won’t he stop crying?” or “How do I know he loves his crate?” You’ll also get ongoing support through Playtime Paws Academy — with weekly live calls, a private community, and real-life solutions to help you feel confident as you raise your well-mannered pup. 👉 Click here to check out YOUR Perfect Puppy . Let’s make that crate your dog’s favorite spot and give you the peace of mind you deserve.

May 2, 2017

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about your recall command; most commonly known as “come”. I’m not going to be talk about teaching your dog the actual command. What I am going to talk about is building a few everyday habits so when it comes time to teach your dog the command, it’s going to be a heck of a lot easier. In fact, if you do this right, a formal command may not be necessary. Your dog will always want to come running when you call them. If you have a brand new puppy you are going to start these habits from day one. If you’ve had a dog for a while and maybe aren’t doing some of these things, that’s okay, because you’re just going to make today day one! In addition, I have a bonus that teaches you how to play a game with your dog that reinforces everything we are going to talk about. It’s also a great way to tire out your dog and create some family bonding! More on that in a minute. The three habits I’m going to go over are: Never call your dog to you for ANYTHING your dog sees as negative. NEVER chase your dog . Add a collar grab. Each of these 3 habits is based on the fact that we are always training our dog, whether we realize it or not . If you have noticed that your dog knows you’re leaving the house an hour before you actually do, you know what I’m talking about (sometimes I’m a little disappointed at how predictable I am). That’s because they are ALWAYS paying attention to our body language, actions, and habits. We’re going to use this to our advantage. Let’s get started. Psst: Don’t miss out on the free tool I tell you all about at the end! Press play to listen to this podcast episode or subscribe to Your New Puppy where ever you listen to your podcasts. 1. NEVER call your dog to you for ANYTHING your dog sees as negative (and every time they do come to you make it a good thing) This is where you need to be aware of your own actions. Sometimes we have to change our own habits first, which we all know isn’t easy. The recall command isn’t about getting your dog to listen; it’s about you being in competition with their environment. We don’t want him to have any idea in their head that coming to you is the wrong decision. Every single time he comes to you it’s a good thing because one day it’s going to be a choice between you and that squirrel across the street and you want to give yourself a fighting chance. For example, he’s running around, he’s playing outside, you call him to you and you bring him inside. From your dog’s point of view, he was playing and having fun and when he came running over to you he had to go inside (boo!). How about when she’s playing with something she shouldn’t have. You call him to you and then you take it away from her. Well, all she knows is she came running over to you and she got him new fun toy taken away. This goes for bath time, or clipping their nails, or giving them medicine (unless it’s wrapped in peanut butter, then feel free to call them to you). Anything that your dog is going to see as not fun, you go to your dog, do not call him to you. Before you call your dog to you, look at it from his point of view and decide can I call him to me or should I go to get him. It’s gonna take a little practice to start seeing things through your dog’s eyes. It’s something to practice and to always, always keep in mind. We want to be doing this every single day so it becomes a habit for us too. 14 Days to a Stronger Recall Teaching your dog to come to you in any environment is the key to your peace of mind and your dog’s freedom. In just 14 days you’ll be on your way to feeling the pride and joy that comes with having a strong, reliable recall with your dog. But did you know teaching your dog to come when called isn’t just teaching your dog another command. It’s developing a day habit with your dog. Your own behavior is the most powerful tool you have when teaching your dog a strong, reliable recall. Inside 14 Days to a Stronger Recall you’ll learn the skills your dog needs, the habits you need and the mistakes to avoid to have your dog coming to you in any environment. 2. NEVER chase your dog (and teach games where your dog chases you) Chase is one of those fundamental games that dogs love, love, love to play. If you watch a group of dogs playing, you will almost always see a game of chase happening. Your dog has probably tried to play this with you. DO NOT CHASE THEM. Even in play. If you play the chase game with them, you know the one, he has a toy maybe you’re running around the yard. It is a fun game to play, but you don’t want him to decide to play that game when he has something dangerous or he just got off-leash and he’s in the middle of the street. If it’s a game that he’s never played with you, then he’s not gonna think to play it in those times. What I DO encourage you to do is flip the game and get him to chase you. You get him all excited and then you run in the other direction. Then if he knows the game of chasing YOU, when he get’s off-leash, you can get him all riled up and run back to the front door. He’ll be like, “oh yeah, I know this game. We play this game all the time!!” Test this out. Next time you call your dog to you, shuffle back a couple of steps you’ll notice him pick up his speed. It’s a natural instinct for dogs to chase something that is moving away from them. Any time we can work with their natural instincts, let’s do it! It’s a great tool and a great game to have in your back pocket when you need to get your dog off the street or back on his leash or away from the fence, or the unfriendly dog that might be walking down the street. 3. Add a collar grab The last thing I want you to do is incredibly simple and you will thank me for it one day. I want you to include a collar grab into your dog’s everyday training. To do a collar grab is simply slip two fingers under your dog’s collar and then immediately release. A good time to start this when you‘re training him to sit. Before you give him the treat, reach down grab his collar and then give him the treat. You can also do this when you are playing with their toys or scratching their belly, or anytime you are handling them. Do this a few times a day so it’s something they are used to you doing and even have a good association with it. There are a couple of reasons this will help you. When the time comes and you get them to come to you, she’s not going to think twice about you reaching around and grabbing a hold of his collar to put his leash on because you’ve done it a hundred times. Any of us who has that dog that will grab a treat and run or just sit out of arm’s length from you or try to play keep away you know how this can help. If we make it part of his everyday training, then it’s something that he expects. A second, and equally important, reason why I like to have my clients do this is because it’s the most common for a dog to bite someone he knows is when you grab his collar. The reason this happens is when two dogs fight, the first thing they do is go for their neck. And when we want to get a hold of our dog we grab the collar. Think about if you saw a dog running around the street and you want to grab them for safety, whether you knew the dog or not, you’re probably going to grab his collar cause there’s nothing else on them to grab. So we want to desensitize him to it and associate it with something good. I like doing it when you teach your dog to sit because treats are usually involved. It doesn’t have to be every time, but enough where he’s used to it and he’s being desensitized to it. So when it does happen, he doesn’t get defensive. Freebie The very last thing I have for you is a PDF download that is all about a game that will help you reinforce everything we talked about. I’m always very excited to teach this game to all of my clients. I call it Rover Round Robin (for the young ones you can also call it Puppy Ping Pong). The general idea is that you have the whole family and your friends participating and you’re going to have the dog running from person to person each in turn. It’s great exercise, it’s great bonding, AND it reinforces that running to whoever is calling him is SO MUCH FUN! It’s a win, win, win! But that’s not all…there’s different ways to modify the game to teach him additional skills and up the challenge. You can start to teach your dog everybody’s name (including his own). You can turn it into a game of hide-and-seek. The possibilities are endless. I give you a whole bunch, but you can make up your own. Free Tool: Rover Round Robin This bonus includes step by step instructions on how to teach your dog and your family and friends to play the game. It also includes options to add challenges and new skills to the game. It’s a bonus that you can come back to again and again to continue to teach your dog and involve your family and friends…it doesn’t get better than that.

Apr 29, 2017

Leaving food out for you dog all the time is convenient and seems harmless on the surface, but there are many downsides to free feeding. I talk about how free feeding can affect your dog’s behavior, health, potty training and more. You will also get some tips on how to change the habit if it has already started. Feel free to share or leave a comment below.

Apr 29, 2017

Once you have decided that you are ready for a dog (if you haven’t check out episode 1 ) it’s time to figure out which dog is right for you. During this episode, I talk about 10 different traits to think about to help you decide what type of dog will best fit into your life. While I use examples of different breeds, I do this just to give you a picture of what I’m talking about. Deciding which traits and qualities are best for you isn’t about picking a specific breed. My goal for you is to just be aware that all different types of dogs exist. Remember it is possible to find a dog that you will not only love and care for but that will fit into your life so you can have the best experience possible. I believe that is essential in doing what is best for both your family and the new member you are welcoming in! The specific traits I will talk about are: Size Energy Training Shedding Grooming Noise Territorial Gender Climate Here are additional resources that you can use to research a little further. https://www.akc.org/breed-selector-tool/ https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/dog-breed-quiz-what-dog-should-i-get/ http://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds http://iheartdogs.com/the-10-best-dog-breeds-for-first-time-owners/ https://www.amazon.com/Original-Dog-Bible-Definitive-Source-ebook/dp/B005PYJXDQ/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1 Free Tool! Which Dog is Right for you Workbook! To help you out I’ve developed a tool to walk you through the different traits and qualities to figure out which ones are the most important to you. If you are interested you can request a copy below. It will be delivered directly to your inbox.

Apr 25, 2017

Want a new dog? Not sure if you are ready? Getting a new dog is a big decision and a long term commitment. Getting a dog isn’t something you can decide overnight, so we are here to help you figure it out! This episode walks you through 5 questions to ask yourself to see if you are ready for a new dog. Are You Ready for A New Dog? is the first part in a two-part series. Episode 002 will walk you through which type of dog is right for you. The five questions we will go over are: Do I have time for a dog? Can I afford a dog? Does my living situation allow for a dog? How will I care for my dog when I travel? Does a dog fit into my life now and in the future? We will talk about the different things you need to think about when answering these questions. Free Tool: Are you Ready for a New Dog Workbook. To help you answer these questions honestly, below is a workbook where you can write down your answers. This tool is designed to help you work through any challenges and solutions to the above questions. There is also room to add your own questions, depending on your specific situation.

Apr 25, 2017

Welcome to Your New Puppy’s Podcast!! Getting a new puppy (or dog) is exciting and fun but it can also be very overwhelming. No one gets a good dog by accident. It takes time and energy to get the well-behaved dog we all dream of when we decided to bring home our new four-legged family member. My goal is to guide you through all the information you need to guide you through the first months to a year and beyond, so you can get back to the fun! In this episode, I tell you a little about me, who I am as a trainer and what you can expect from Your New Puppy’s Podcast. Resources: yournewpuppy@playtimepaws.com : Use this email to let us know what you want to hear about. I look forward to talking with you!!