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Showing posts from November, 2024

Mastering Loose Leash Walking

Essential Tips for Better Walks with Your Dog Loose leash walking (LLW) is often considered one of the toughest skills to master in dog training. While it’s natural to want your dog to learn it quickly, LLW is truly a marathon, not a sprint. Training your dog to walk on a loose leash takes patience, consistency, and dedication—but with the right approach, it’s absolutely achievable. Here are essential tips and insights to make LLW an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. 1. Tools Don’t Replace Training While there are many tools on the market, like harnesses, collars, and leads, it’s important to remember that no tool alone will stop your dog from pulling. Training is the only reliable way to establish long-term LLW skills. 2. Consistency is Key Dogs learn best through consistent practice. The more consistently you reward good leash behavior, the faster your dog will grasp it. LLW requires ongoing reinforcement—each time...

How to Do Treat Testing with Your Dog

Mastering Treat Testing: Discovering Your Dog's Favorites Understanding what motivates your dog is crucial for effective training. Treat testing is a fun way to determine which treats your pup finds most appealing. Here’s how to do it! Step-by-Step Guide to Treat Testing: Gather Your Treats: Select five different treats. You can choose all solid treats, all spreadable treats, or a mix. Make sure they are safe and suitable for your dog. Set Up the Test Area: Find a quiet spot where your dog can focus. Lay the treats out in a line, spacing them evenly to prevent any overlap. Send Your Dog: Use a release word like "OK!" or "Break" to send your dog toward the treats. Observe which ones they eat first. Record the Choices: Keep track of the order in which your dog consumes the treats. Repeat the process two more times, shuffling the order of the treats each time...