I want to give a shout out to Jeff! He's a co-worker with my husband!
Thanks for signing on!
A bunch of the original members were my clients and they heard some of this stuff in person and the written stuff is just a refresher.
So if ANY of it is unclear, PLEASE comment.
If you have questions that are specific to you pup, please reach out!
I am at my computer writing every day during business hours (except the hours I am actually out training... which are less and less with this pandemic mess!)
So please take advantage of this. One year ago, I was training 12 hours a day, 7 days per week and I had no time to write and work like this. I will just take this not as a negative but as an opportunity to finally write and be available to a wider community.
I am ahead of the curve in terms of dog training. I am not the trainer people brought their puppies to for basic training. I was way to expensive for something so simple.
If you are in Houston, and you have been to a trainer, a behavioralist and the top PhD in town and your pup is still having problems, you call me. I don't advertise. I don't promote. And I am busy. I don't have all the degrees and certifications (yet, I have my CPDT-KA). And yet, I was asking for $10,000 up front for dog training... what the heck right?? When I finish training, my clients routinely say I did not charge enough. What are we doing??
So I encourage you to ask questions! I promise I'm not a dog whisperer! I can coach it! I am going to try to write everyday and make sure you have new videos and new information daily.
My biggest complaint was the lack of info on how to do behavior modification. So we will get into that. They always say... consult a qualified trainer or behavioralist. BS! Let's break it down.
But just like any training plan, we have to get through the basics before we get into emotional adjustment stuff!
Again, Welcome Jeff!!
Welcome to PAWpundance Dog Training Academy on Locals.com!
We’re thrilled that you’ve joined our community! PAWpundance is a place for positive, dog-loving people to come together, share experiences, and help each other grow. Locals offers an “ad-free experience,” so even a small contribution helps support our tech and keeps our community thriving.
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!