We’ll admit, when we first learned “touch”, the importance was baffling. Why would we want our dog to touch their nose to our hand? However, now, it is by far one of our favorite cues to teach a dog. Not only does it reinforce a nice, gentle mouth but it’s great to move a dog …Read More

What is “find”?  Well, it’s a super simple and easy behavior; lowering his or her head. Sometimes we see humans scratch theirs when we suggest this but it is much more natural for a dog to drop their head to the floor in the face of a stressful situation than to do a “sit/stay”; staring and …Read More

“Sit” is one of the first things folks practice when they bring home a new puppy or dog. However, practicing in your living room, treat hovering over your pup’s head does not make for a perfect “sit” when you are chatting with your next door neighbor who keeps petting your jumping dog. Because humans like …Read More

We know the type, bouncing in mid-air while guests are trying to take off their coats or throttling themselves at every person you pass on the street, it is so embarassing!  The best way to teach a dog to “sit” when people approach is to practice with A LOT of people, in a multitude of …Read More

Did you know that every minute you interact with your dog, he or she is learning what is acceptable or not?  Too often, folks want to react after a dog has been naughty but miss SO many opportunities when their dog is being good.  Here’s a few things to get you started or a good …Read More

It is very important not to rush this as it will only frustrate you and teach your dog the definition of “stay” is getting up.  Get your dog into a sit. Mark with a “yes” and then give quick flashes of the flat palm (stay hand signal) while simultaneously saying the word “stay”. Count to …Read More

Does your dog constantly whine while you eat dinner?  Is your puppy a jumping maniac when guests walk in the door despite you saying “sit”?  Are you prying your dog’s jaws open to see remnants of Wrigleyville vomit even after you said “leave it”?  It is frustrating, isn’t it? Your dog’s job is to politely …Read More

Dog trainers often instruct clients to “manage” their dogs as the first step in any training routine.  I love learning and as a student of kayaking, yoga, cooking or whatever catches my interest; I sometimes scratch my head at another instructor’s lingo. It reminds me how important it is to define shop talk and terms …Read More

Whether your dog fancies other dog’s poop or you live in a neighborhood peppered with trash, you can teach your dog to avoid all things nasty on the street. I constantly struggle with whether or not to teach my clients “leave it”. Why? After we introduce the cue and practice a couple times, the very …Read More

Whether you frown or smile when snow falls, you have to remember your beloved dog(s) during winter months. With a few simple tips, you can keep your dog happy, healthy and training momentum strong even when life is thrown off by frigid temperatures. Health and safety are priority.  Many Chicago residents live without a yard. …Read More