Walking your dog is a crucial part of raising and training them; thus, knowing the two types of dog walks can make a HUGE difference to your training experience. "Doggy Dan, is there more than just one way to do dog walks?" Yes… and my goal is to help dog owners tap into the power of switching walking styles to make the most out of dog walks. In this blog, I will talk about the two types of dog walks, why you need to know both, and how to know which type to use best. Read on to learn more. The T...
Jan 03, 2024•8 min•Ep. 103
When dog owners come to me for help on how to stop leash pulling, I feel for them, especially when I hear the frustration in their voices. It's understandable why having a dog pulling the leash can be such a pain! If all you want is to enjoy a quiet, peaceful walk with your dog, the constant struggle for control can be exhausting. And most of the time, the leash pulling happens at the start of the walk, making you wonder, "Is going out for a walk even worth it?" Why do dogs do this? Why is there...
Dec 28, 2023•7 min•Ep. 102
Seeing dog owners letting their dogs run wild when the car door opens is quite a familiar scene. It’s adorable at face value… but it’s a tricky if you want to have calm walks with dogs. “Doggy Dan, do you mean I also have to keep an eye on how my dogs exit the car so I can have peace while I walk outdoors with them?” Yes, you’re right. All your problems with leash pulling, aggression, overexcitement , and yes, even protectiveness will be reduced by simply ensuring you take control WAY BEFORE you...
Dec 20, 2023•6 min•Ep. 101
If I asked you to write down at least three dog-walking problems, I am sure I’d find leash pulling and misbehaving somewhere on that list. Why? Because almost 80% of those who come to me for help on walking their dog have those issues. And here’s the truth: the solution is fairly simple. The problem starts when dog owners dismiss their dog's little quirks and defiance during walks as nothing serious… until they are. Fortunately, you can flip the switch by doing one simple thing: really making yo...
Dec 13, 2023•6 min•Ep. 100
Dec 07, 2023•36 min•Ep. 99
Dogs don’t always say what they’re feeling , so it’s understandable why we want to know the reason why dogs yelp. Each sound our dog makes is crucial; it can signify hunger, distress, and pain. So it’s no surprise our dogs’ sudden yelping sounds can make us spring into protective, worrying mode. Yes, a yelping dog can be a dog in pain. But a dog letting out a high-pitched, petrifying sound isn’t always a pained dog… and it’s an essential truth owners should understand. Key Takeaways: Dogs yelp f...
Dec 07, 2023•7 min•Ep. 98
What do you do when your dog's energy levels spike from a 3 to an 8? My answer as a top dog trainer: the Calm Freeze. I know it's daunting seeing your dog transform from well-behaved and calm to rowdy and agitated in the blink of an eye. But here's an important fact I've learned from years of working with dogs and their owners: you, as a dog owner, possess the remarkable ability to transform your dog's behavior from hyperactive and agitated to calm and relaxed. And the Calm Freeze has been prove...
Dec 01, 2023•7 min•Ep. 97
The reason why dogs need timeout is because they don't naturally understand human language. If you want to give consequences or correction for a specific dog behavior, you must speak a language your dog totally understands. And that’s where timeouts come in. The thing about timeout for dogs is that it's so simple. And because it's so simple, it's also so easy to overcomplicate and done wrong. Some dog owners don't tap into the power of using timeouts to correct behavior. Some also fail to apply ...
Nov 23, 2023•8 min•Ep. 96
The reason for using a short line for dogs boils down to this: control . It sounds extreme, but in dog psychology , the one in control is the one in charge. And when your dog runs under tables and around the garden uncontrollably, and you're having a hard time catching them, you're not in control! The short line for dogs helps you regain control without raising your voice, resorting to harsh strategies, and losing your composure (news flash: in your dog's eyes, a rattled dog owner is NOT a worth...
Nov 15, 2023•8 min•Ep. 95
A whistle for dog recall training is a very important tool that some dog owners overlook. Of course, I recommend you go for solutions that work best for you and your dog. If you've put in all possible effort to train your dog to come when called , and still haven't had any success, the dog recall training whistle is a tool that you absolutely must not underestimate. In this blog, we're going to talk about using a whistle, and why it's a need especially if you want to have dog training success. L...
Nov 09, 2023•9 min•Ep. 94
Training tips for aggressive dogs flood the internet, all promising miraculous results! There’s a mix of positive reinforcement , showering dogs with treats, and even giving dogs really scary punishments! While all these solutions work for a while, I know one thing from my experience as a top dog trainer: you need to get to the heart of the problem to see real progress. The key to addressing snappy behavior in dogs goes beyond mere techniques. In this article, I'll explore why even non-aggressiv...
Nov 02, 2023•9 min•Ep. 93
Doggy Dan, why is my dog overexcited? Also, how to calm overexcited dogs? I often get this question from dog owners dealing with dogs that are always all over the place, jumping on the couch, on them, and on other dogs. They bark, run, and lunge all because they are excited… something that causes a lot of stress not only to their owners but to other dogs as well. These overexcited dogs often get shouted at or barked at because they're constantly invading space, always not listening. In other wor...
Oct 26, 2023•9 min•Ep. 92
If you are wondering how to deal with an overprotective dog, you MUST know that these animals are NOT naturally inclined to cause harm. In fact, dog aggression from overprotectiveness is a case of a dog’s desire to keep harm away from you and the property they’re protecting. But when is a protective dog too much? And how do you deal with an aggressive, overprotective dog? In this blog, we’re going to talk about dog aggression coming from overprotectiveness and how you, as a dog owner, can help y...
Oct 18, 2023•9 min•Ep. 91
When you deal with a fear biter, you have to understand that this dog’s tendency to bite is not fueled by the desire to simply bite. These fear biters are fierce protectors. When dog owners come to me and ask about aggression due to fear , I tell them when they deal with a fear biter, they have to halt the training until they solve the problem on a deeper level. Because most of the time, fear-based aggression that causes biting is not a matter of lack of training but a lack of tactic. In this bl...
Oct 11, 2023•8 min•Ep. 90
The question of how to handle a bossy, dominant dog is common among dog owners who are exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed by their bossy dogs. Bossy, dominant dogs have a distinct characteristic : they always want to be in charge over every dog they encounter. They love challenging authority, they display brute strength, and they don’t hesitate in showing aggression. One can say “Oh, but that’s just a dog’s personality!” Though it can be true, dominant behavior not corrected can lead to more...
Oct 04, 2023•9 min•Ep. 89
If you’re eager to know how to help fearful dogs, I know where you’re coming from. Fearful dogs are exhausted. You can read their exhaustion through their habits and body language: they can’t easily sleep, they’re reactive, and they’re triggered by the littlest things. If you own a dog that is highly fearful , you already know telling them “Please, calm down” doesn’t work. So what do you do as a dog owner to truly pacify your dog’s fears? I’m sharing an IMPORTANT dog trainer tip I’ve learned thr...
Sep 27, 2023•9 min•Ep. 88
Any loving dog owner gets concerned about the factors that cause dog stress. After all, we just want the best for our pets, from their physical to mental health. You can attribute the cause of dog stress to multiple factors: unhealthy upbringing, violent history, a chaotic environment, and strained relationships with owners and other dogs. But what most dog owners usually overlook is a stress trigger that affects more dogs than we know it: dog owner stress. Yes, you read that right: your stress ...
Sep 25, 2023•10 min•Ep. 87
If anyone comes to me for tips on how to get dogs to listen more, I always ask them to do this: “Think of the most connected, most effective conversations you’ve had with a loved one. Were they done with shouting, or were they filled with calm, understanding energy?” Surely, you would say the latter. And it’s true. As a parent, the most effective conversations I've had with my children are ones done in absolute calmness. No anger. Without raised voices. No hurtful words. And like what I mentione...
Sep 14, 2023•10 min•Ep. 86
If you’re here because you’re wondering how to teach boundaries to dogs, I’m here to commend you! I know it’s tough. When our dogs start to show their puppy eyes, denying their requests becomes so hard. But there is power in SAYING NO. When dog owners say NO, it paves the way for better obedience training, and dogs that are calmer and easier to take care of. Additionally, dog owners who say NO are less likely to deal with aggressive, restless, stressed, and anxious dogs who don’t listen. “How is...
Sep 06, 2023•10 min•Ep. 85
The best way to know how to walk a dog is to understand this crucial principle: In every walk, there’s a follower, and a leader. And most of the time, the leader is NOT you. “What do you mean, Dan? Are you saying that even if I hold the leash, I’m still not in control?” That’s right! Which explains why dogs tend to pull ahead of you on the leash, or become so uncontrollable during the walk — stopping to sniff wherever they want, lunging at other dogs — they think they’re the CEO of the walk, and...
Aug 30, 2023•12 min•Ep. 84
Dogs do not bark just because. Anyone who wants to know how to stop dog barking should understand behind any excessive barking is a real, serious trigger… at least in our dog’s eyes. Indeed, barking is a big behavioral issue ! But it is often misunderstood. Most dog owners and even dog trainers treat barking at face value, as if there’s nothing more to it. This is where most solutions get it wrong — they focus on stopping dog barking without addressing the root cause of the problem. Dog owners g...
Aug 23, 2023•12 min•Ep. 83
The question of how to improve dog obedience boils down to one thing: in the eyes of your dog, who is in charge? When no leadership is in place, dogs usually take on the role of the leader... and this paves the way for bad behavior issues to arise. I always tell dog owners that if they want to see a significant improvement in dog obedience , they HAVE TO BE THE LEADERS. And Rule Number Three of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules — DOING EVERYTHING ON YOUR OWN TERMS — helps dog owners become just th...
Aug 17, 2023•14 min•Ep. 82
Rule Number Two of the Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules always surprises dog owners who are new to the concept. If viewed through the lens of human psychology, Rule Number Two can make any dog owner go “But oh, isn’t that going to hurt my dog’s feelings?” After all, Rule Number Two is about delaying acknowledgement after a moment of separation from your dog. As a trainer who has seen the Five Golden Rules successfully adopted by over 88,000 dog owners , I’m here to tell you that in the eyes of your d...
Aug 11, 2023•13 min•Ep. 81
Food training for dogs is Rule #1 of my Doggy Dan Five Golden Rules, because of this simple truth: when dogs have food, they feel like they’re the richest animal in the world. It’s not their toys, not their new clothes, or their cozy bed that makes them feel great. It’s food. For dogs, it’s all about the food. In fact it’s not just about the food, it’s about CONTROLLING the food. Because FOOD is the most important thing for your dog, it is also THE MOST POWERFUL TRAINING TOOL . It’s dog psycholo...
Aug 11, 2023•16 min•Ep. 80
Using dog psychology requires a deep understanding that our dogs do not think like us. We love our dogs, and we want to communicate with them and know what they are thinking. But here’s an important truth: dogs do NOT think like humans! dog ps One of the most common dog training and dog care mistakes is that we communicate and relate to our dogs using human psychology. Typically, we view them as young children. This is where everything goes wrong because using human psychology on our dogs can on...
Aug 11, 2023•11 min•Ep. 79
What affects dog behavior can be traced back to multiple factors — dog personality , dog-owner relationship, their past history, and even the environment where they live! No dog is ever the same as another — and that’s the beauty of raising them. Each dog has a unique quirk that makes them so lovable. However, in my years as a dog trainer, I have also had dog consultations specifically for certain dog behaviors that were driving owners crazy! “I don’t want to compare, Doggy Dan, but ONLY my dog ...
Aug 11, 2023•8 min•Ep. 78
Can dogs understand humans even if they can’t speak our language? As a dog trainer, I have met thousands of dog owners whose eyes yearn to be told that yes, dogs can understand humans. Dogs don’t speak English, so it’s always a question of whether dogs can truly understand the hugs, or the “I love you!” expressions. Here’s the good news: YES, they understand us! But dogs understand humans differently. It’s amazing. But this beautiful realization also comes with a big responsibility. Read on to l...
Aug 11, 2023•7 min•Ep. 77
If you’re looking for ways on how to bond with your dog, I’d recommend focusing on these three pillars: connection, being present, and trust. Dogs have this beautiful reputation of being loyal, loving animals. And they truly are! And creating that connection with dogs through dog communication and bonding with your dog allows you to feel and see how dogs relay their love and loyalty to you. I always say this: to be able to connect with dogs is a privilege. And it’s a privilege I want every dog o...
Aug 11, 2023•8 min•Ep. 76
There are hundreds of helpful tips on how to make progress in dog training . However, there is only one POWERFUL rule on how to make dog training successful: sending a clear message to your dog. In this blog, we’re talking about the dog training benefits of delivering a clear expectation to your dog, and how sticking to it can massively impact dog training! Read on to learn more. Key Takeaways Consistency in routine, messaging, and activities can significantly predict whether your training will ...
Aug 11, 2023•8 min•Ep. 75
In the perfect world, the best dog recall training concludes with you able to let out a call and a whistle and your dog rushing towards you. But that’s not always the reality. Our dogs love to explore — sometimes leaving a significant gap between us and them. That kind of independence is good! But it’s anxiety inducing when your dog becomes too far from you and you aren’t sure your call can make them come back. It’s important that before we let our pets roam freely, we need to assure that wherev...
Aug 11, 2023•8 min•Ep. 74
