Try this leash-reactive training exercise to make walking your dog safer
When training a leash-reactive/aggressive dog, the first consideration I have is that everyone from the owner, the dog, and other dogs is always safe. If you have never experienced a dog fight, they can be chaotic and terribly frightening for people. So, my first rule...
Reactivity training basics to prevent your dog from going rogue on walks
There are many terms floated around in the dog training and behavior world that center around when a dog displays less-than-favorable behavior towards other dogs on a leash. Whether you label it as leash aggression, reactivity, or leash frustration is irrelevant,...
Why ‘friendly’ dogs might still lunge at other dogs
While walking my dog, Kabuki, at the Nature Reserve, we came upon another owner walking their dog, which happens occasionally. Good dog etiquette in these situations is to shorten your leash and give each other space, since there is never a guarantee that two dogs...
How to get your dogs to consistently come when called
Training your dog to come to you when called is perhaps the single most important thing they can learn. Of all of the things I attempt to teach my bull terriers, this skill takes precedence over everything else. Bull terriers are not necessarily known for being...
Step one of teaching dogs to come when called
Of any obedience-related commands that I teach my dogs, the single most important one is a reliable recall. Teaching a puppy to come to you when called can absolutely save their lives should they escape or get away from you, so I train this more than I train anything...
