It’s ok! We’re here to help. We speak a little dog and can help translate for both of you. It’s probably just a miscommunication! And we are here to help get you both speaking the same language! Woof!
Connect with the PAWpundance training team and other members of the dog community to discuss better ways to communicate with your furry house guest.
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Let’s talk about a dog’s incredible sense of smell!
If I put a mark on your nose and held up a mirror, you’d understand the mark is on your nose—not the mirror—because your sense of self is visual. A dog, though? They’ll paw at the mirror, unable to make the same connection. Now, if I held up two urine samples, you wouldn’t know which is yours—but your dog would know in an instant! For dogs, the world is understood through their nose, which gives them a unique sense of self.
“Scent” dogs aren’t born ready to work; they’re trained to refine their remarkable noses. Think about it like wearing glasses: remember the first time you put them on, and suddenly, those tree blobs turned into distinct leaves? You saw the world more clearly! And when we don’t have our glasses, we can feel lost. The same is true for dogs; as we help them understand the world through scent work, they become more confident and less disoriented.
Take Snowball, for example. She’s a senior pup (over 10 years old) and a rescue from a difficult situation—a former puppy mill dame who suffered abuse, neglect, and extreme separation anxiety. When we started working with her, Snowball wouldn’t let her caregiver out of sight, even at their lake home. But as she progressed with her scent training, she grew more confident. Now she happily explores the yard, even sniffing around while they garden. Seeing her curiosity bloom during our “Easter Egg Hunt” game has been heartwarming. Every time I talk with her “mama,” we’re amazed at how far this “old gal” has come. She’s living proof of what’s possible, even for an older pup!
Want to try the “Easter Egg Hunt” game with a puppy? Here’s how: if your pup can do a sit-stay, perfect! If not, just pop them in another room while you hide the treats. Then say, “Find it!” to let them search. Start easy, with just a few treats and simple hiding spots. Each time, make it a little trickier. The goal is easy wins that build confidence and curiosity!
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We want to see your furbabies!
We’re here to assist with any questions you may have about training, behavior, and more. At PAWpundance, we believe in blending knowledge with a bit of fun—expect plenty of paws, puns, and maybe even a dance or two! Together, let’s enjoy some laughs and build stronger relationships with our pups.
Our Philosophy:
We’ve invited another species to live in our homes, and our dogs are much more than accessories; they’re our guests. They don’t speak our language, and like in the movie E.T., we don’t want to be the intimidating figures trying to coerce a scared, confused being. Instead, we want to be like ...
Eye Contact, Eye Contact, Eye Contact!
Reward every glance. Start by reinforcing brief glances, then encourage your pup to hold your gaze a bit longer. Gradually phase out your part of the eye contact—your pup will learn to watch you and adapt to your movements naturally. This approach helps them learn to walk with you without relying on leash cues.
Remember, the leash is purely for safety—not for communication.
Take a look at this video with Meghan and Buckee. Buckee is watching Meghan closely, and she rewards him by making eye contact, smiling, and offering treats. Meghan also looks forward occasionally, teaching Buckee to walk with her in sync.
Notice that Buckee is a reactive pup, so the leash is essential for safety, especially if he responds to something unexpectedly. However, it’s only used for physical control when necessary. When Buckee refocuses, Meghan reestablishes instructional control, and they continue their walk together. She does a fantastic job of engaging with him! In ...
Loose-Leash Walking Tip:
Where you reward makes a big difference! Try using the hand on the same side as your dog when giving treats or praise.
When you reach across your body to reward with the opposite hand, it draws your dog’s nose in front of you, encouraging them to move ahead and potentially start pulling.
In the video of Meghan and Domino, Meghan holds the leash with her left hand while Domino walks on her right. She rewards him by petting and giving treats with her right hand. This keeps Domino walking by her side on a loose leash, rather than in front, pulling her along.
Next time you’re out walking with your pup, try rewarding with the hand on the same side as your dog.
https://twitter.com/wholedogjournal/status/1295508215740932098?s=21
How to teach you pup to be a good dining companion! What a great skill!
https://twitter.com/wholedogjournal/status/1292609106637987840?s=21
This is about counter-surfers, but I love the description of trying to shame dogs. This author, Pat Miller helped me understand this concept in her book the Power of Positive Dog Training.
If you’re still on Twitter, the Whole Dog Journal is a great group to follow. Lots of fantastic info!
