Lack of progress in training is very frustrating for every dog. But do you even assess progress the right way? As a dog trainer, I evaluate progress through two key parameters. In this episode I share why it doesn't matter at all if your dog has a bad training session, how you need to help your dog succeed during every single moment of training, and what you should do to reflect on how far you have already come! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com...
Oct 09, 2024•22 min
Is your dog refusing food in training? Do they routinely turn their nose up on the most delicious treats? There are FIVE main reasons for this ... and they are NOT what you'd think! Today we dive into WHY your dog may be noping out of treat training - and how to help them appreciate food rewards Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free Free trial | SpiritDog Academy...
Oct 02, 2024•29 min
Using treats in reactivity training doesn't work for you because your dog refuses food completely around triggers? That is actually a very common issue ... with one easy, ingenious solution! In this episode I share the #1 question that will determine whether your dog can be trained with food - as well as how to do it! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Sep 25, 2024•18 min
This week I discuss four non-negotiable life skills that EVERY dog owner needs to teach their dogs. These skills will set your dog up for success in situations that could otherwise be very stressful or even traumatizing! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Sep 18, 2024•21 min
You sent me a lot of emails and this week I answer your questions about socialization! We discuss "over socialization", how to socialize young puppies, setbacks in socialization during the teenage stage, why you need "boring" dogs for socialization and much more. Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Sep 11, 2024•22 min
In this episode I share actionable tips for socializing your dog! Starting at home ... and advancing all the way to the dog park. As you work through the 4 stages of socialization exercises, you will learn how to make sure your dog has a positive experience around all people and dogs. Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Sep 04, 2024•22 min
"Socializing" is a big buzz word in dog training ... but what does it actually mean? What is a well-socialized dog? And why are many socialization classes counter-productive? In this episode I discuss my thoughts around socialization and the frequent mistakes I see. In the next part I will share actionable socializing exercises you can do with your dog! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Aug 28, 2024•22 min
When we are tackling a big training project, it is easy for us to lose track of the most important thing: To have FUN with our dogs! In this episode I explain why FUN is the foundation of your relationship and how to make sure that you never miss out on daily fun with your dog. Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Aug 21, 2024•17 min
In this episode I share my thoughts around a question that's pressing for all dog owners: "How long until my dog's behavior is fixed?" I discuss the three components that impact how long training will take ... and give you a way to reframe thinking about training timelines, too! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Aug 14, 2024•23 min
Why does SpiritDog Training exist? What is the driving force behind it ... and what's my mission for dog owners worldwide? This is a philosophical episode that dives into the really big questions - that we should all answer for ourselves! Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Aug 07, 2024•22 min
A lot of dog owners worry about reinforcing unwanted behaviors by offering treats. For example: a dog freaks out at the window, the owner scatters treats and the dog stops barking and starts eating ... is that actually making them MORE likely to flip out? (Hint: no!) In this episode I explain why not every treat is a reward - and how you can navigate stressful situations skillfully with treats. Want to get started with our training programs for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jul 31, 2024•26 min
Are you trying to fix your dog's reactivity with a "Look at me" approach? And your dog is fine as long as they are engaged with you ... but as soon as you take your eyes off them, they flip out again? In this episode I explain what the big misconception about engagement training for reactivity is - and how you can break through the training plateau! Want to work through our reactivity training program for free? Visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jul 24, 2024•20 min
"How do I become a dog trainer?" is a question I get several times a week. In today's episode, I share three insights into working as a dog trainer that you probably did not expect! From honing training skills over people training to not spending a lot of time with one's own dogs ... I don't hold any secrets back in this one! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jul 17, 2024•19 min
Is your dog reactive ... but only sometimes ? Only towards some people ... some dogs ... or in some situations? Selective and situation-specific reactivity can be really puzzling for dog owners. In this episode I explain how to make sense of it ... and how to work with dogs who are not always reactive. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jul 10, 2024•16 min
A topic that has been requested many times ... how do you navigate family disagreements and training? What about family members who are not committed to training ... family members who give you well-meaning (but useless) advice ... or family members who are fighting you regarding training? In this episode I share my experiences on navigating all of these with you! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jul 03, 2024•21 min
In this second episode on breed-specific training, I discuss why you may be WRONG in believing that your dog needs a breed-specific training approach. Falsely holding out for this can actually harm your training progress! So let's break down the difference between breed-specific training issues ... and "run of the mill" training issues. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jun 26, 2024•19 min
Are your criteria too muddled? Are you able to be black and white in training? Or do you try to teach unrefined behaviors ... and hurting yourself with it in the long run? Today I explain why you should NOT be a wishy washy trainer! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
Jun 19, 2024•17 min
It's a huge misconception that in order to teach our dogs how to do something right, we wait for them to get it wrong. If you attempt to train like this, you and your dog will be frustrated and disapppointed. In this episode I discuss why you already have the teaching skills you need deep within you ... and the questions you need to ask yourself to apply the knowledge to dog training! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.c...
Jun 12, 2024•20 min
The #1 question I always asked myself when teaching group classes "What do my students talk about in the car?" In this quick episode I discuss why your trainer should care about each and every student's happiness and their dogs' successes. If your trainer doesn't seem invested in making you proud of your dog - look for a different trainer! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
Jun 05, 2024•13 min
Did you know that no two breeds are trained the same? If you do not take your dog's breed(s) into account when planning your sessions, you won't be successful. In this episode I explain how your dog's breed impacts training decisions, and how you can tailor training to your specific dog! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
May 29, 2024•25 min
Should you teach your dog multiple things at once? Or will they get confused? How do you decide which behaviors to work on at any one time? In today's episode I will discuss whether you should train several behaviors ... and how to decide which ones! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
May 22, 2024•28 min
Living with and training a reactive dog is a taxing, tiring task! What if there was a shortcut? In this episode I discuss if there is a way to cut corners in reactivity training ... and what the results will look like. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free
May 15, 2024•21 min
We are never only training a skill ... we are always training a skill and an emotion. Out of the two, the emotion is actually the one you should be most concerned about! Today I dive into why the wrong emotion can ruin skill training (even if the dog is good at the skill) ... and how to help your dog find the right mindset. If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
May 08, 2024•21 min
As a dog trainer who uses a lot of food rewards, one of the most common questions I get us "... And what happens when you don't have a treat?" Today I unravel how to make your dog independent from having to be bribed and lured, and explain why having or not having a treat should not make a difference in a well-trained dog! If you want to start training with our library of over 1,300 training videos for free, visit spiritdogtraining.com/free...
May 01, 2024•32 min
Scent work is a fascinating dog sport. It's welcoming to dogs of all ages and physical abilities ... and it's an amazing way to bond with your dog! In this episode we interview highly accomplished scent work competitor, judge and professional bed bug detection dog handler Paige Gordon about how to get started and progress in the sport.
Apr 24, 2024•46 min
Every day I work with dog owners and help them break through behavioral and training struggles. And every day I know that if dog owners were more mindful of these 6 things ... a lot of issues would NOT happen in the first place! Today I give you a list of the 6 things I wished every dog owner did - implement these to see immediate improvement in your dog. Also in this episode I share a special gift with you ... you can now access all of my over 1,300 online lessons completely free at spiritdogtr...
Apr 17, 2024•27 min
Most dog owners with more than one dog would love to train them all at once. But is this even possible? Is it a good idea to have everyone train at the same time? What about dogs that can wait their turn? And what should you do if your dogs are so attached that you cannot separate them? In this episode I answer all of these questions!
Apr 10, 2024•20 min
Training often fails because we are not progressing skills well. But what does it actually mean to "advance a skill"? How do we break down the training process for our dogs correctly? How many steps are involved in teaching a solid behaviors? In this episode you will find answers to all of these questions!
Apr 03, 2024•28 min
Do you struggle to motivate yourself to train? Is consistency hard for you and your dog? There actually is a secret to training every day ... I call it "training momentum". In this episode I share how you can reach training momentum, and why most dog owners are only a few training sessions away from breaking through this wall!
Mar 27, 2024•19 min
Treats are reinforcements and corrective collars are punishments ... but is that really what the definition of those words is? Are you using reinforcers as skillful as you could? And did you know that the environment is constantly reinforcing and punishing your dog, too?
Mar 20, 2024•26 min
