The Keep it Simple Stupid DOG Training Podcast

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If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
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The holidays can be a lot of fun for people.

For dogs, they can be a whole lot of chaos.

Guests coming through the door, kids running around, food everywhere, extra noise, changed routines, and people wanting to interact with the dog can turn a normally manageable situation into a mess pretty quickly.

In this episode, I walk through practical ways to make the holidays easier on both you and your dog.

A few of the biggest takeaways:

• Have a management plan before guests arrive instead of hoping everything goes well.
• If your dog is crate trained, use the crate in the main living area so the dog can settle without being completely isolated.
• Train the crate before the holiday. Do not pull it out for the first time when 15 people show up at your house.
• Use stuffed Kongs or other interactive feeding toys to give the dog something positive to do while settling.
• Set rules for guests and children before the dog comes out.
• Ask guests to play hard to get and allow the dog to approach them instead of chasing the dog around trying to make friends.
• Do not let guests hype the dog into overstimulation.
• Give the dog breaks when they need them.
• Watch for stress signals such as yawning, lip licking, turning away, avoidance, whale eye, a tucked tail, barking, whining, or trying to escape the interaction.
• If your dog simply is not ready for the environment, daycare, boarding, a trusted friend, or another quiet arrangement may be the better choice.

The goal is not to force the dog to participate in every minute of the holiday.

The goal is to advocate for your dog, manage the environment, and create situations where the dog actually has a chance to succeed.

Related K.I.S.S. Dog Training Resources

7 Proven Ways to Prep Your Dog for Visitors and Holidays Without Stress
https://kissdogtraining.com/a-dog-trainer-in-shawnee-ks-helps-with-7-proven-ways-to-prep-your-dog-for-visitors-and-holidays-without-stress/

How to Crate Train Your Dog Without Anxiety
https://kissdogtraining.com/%F0%9F%90%BE-how-to-crate-train-your-dog-without-anxiety/

In & Out of Crate — Training Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTTp-BVIGK0

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is getting ready to fill their house with guests, food, noise, kids, dogs, and holiday chaos.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

Is private in-home dog training better than a group class?

Sometimes.

But the bigger question is whether you are doing them in the right order.

In this episode, I break down what private in-home training does well, where group classes can become difficult for dogs that do not yet have a solid foundation, and why I think group classes can be incredibly valuable later in the training process.

A few of the biggest takeaways:

• Problem behaviors are often best addressed where they actually happen.
• In-home training lets you work on things like jumping at the front door, pulling on leash, potty training, separation issues, reactivity, overstimulation, and attention in the dog’s normal environment.
• Private sessions make it easier to start in a low-distraction environment and build skills gradually.
• Training can progress from inside the house to the backyard, front yard, neighborhood walk, and eventually public environments.
• A dog that has never learned to work around distractions may struggle badly in a room full of other dogs and people.
• Group classes are not bad. In fact, they can be an excellent finishing school once the dog already understands the basics.
• Practicing familiar skills in a room full of dogs, people, noise, and movement adds an entirely new level of difficulty.

The point is not that one type of training is always better than the other.

The point is order of operations.

Build the foundation first. Then add the distractions.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with someone trying to decide whether private training or a group class makes the most sense for their dog.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

Why does your dog keep jumping up on people?

Because it works.

Jumping gets attention, and from the dog’s point of view, yelling, pushing, talking, and reacting can all still count as attention.

In this episode, I break down why jumping becomes such a strong habit and how to start teaching your dog something better to do instead.

A few of the biggest takeaways:

• Teach your dog that sitting is their version of saying please.
• Build a front-facing default Sit with the Turnaround Game.
• Practice the same behavior on leash so stopping begins to produce an automatic Sit.
• Train in layers: house, backyard, front yard, walks, and then public environments.
• Use crates or gates to manage front-door excitement instead of allowing the dog to rehearse jumping every time somebody visits.
• Use Leave It as a redirection cue when you can see the dog getting ready to make the wrong choice.
• Practice proper greetings frequently enough that meeting people eventually becomes boring instead of overwhelming.

The biggest mistake is waiting until guests are standing at the front door and then trying to fix everything in the moment.

This takes consistency, frequency, and a routine the dog understands.

Videos Demonstrated in This Episode

Turn Around Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q22z2FpnHZ8

Turn Around Game on Leash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyUhcFLlYW0

Proper Greet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF45VmAtEVI

The episode specifically walks through these exercises so you can see how the front-facing Sit progresses from basic attention work to leash work and finally to greeting another person.

More Help With Jumping

Downward, Dog! — How to Deal With a Dog That Jumps Up
https://www.amazon.com/Downward-Dog-How-Deal-Jumps-ebook/dp/B0725GWYDR

This is my book specifically about jumping-up behavior and building the behavior you actually want instead.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody whose dog turns every greeting into a full-contact sport.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

Rescues are full. Shelters are packed. Dogs are being adopted and then returned only weeks later.

Why?

There is no single answer, but a lot of the problems start before the dog ever comes home.

In this episode, I talk about some of the most common reasons dogs are relinquished and what owners, trainers, veterinarians, rescues, and shelters can do differently to help keep more dogs in their homes.

A few of the biggest issues:

• People underestimate how much time a dog actually requires.
• The financial cost can be much higher than expected once you include food, veterinary care, preventatives, crates, daycare, training, grooming, and everything else.
• Puppies require real schedules for potty training, socialization, exercise, and supervision.
• Behavior problems such as pulling, jumping, reactivity, destruction, barking, and aggression can become overwhelming when owners do not have a plan.
• Major life changes, illness, assisted living, or the death of an owner can leave a dog without anywhere to go.
• Dogs with aggression issues may improve tremendously, but management and owner responsibility remain critical.
• Frustrated owners sometimes isolate the dog instead of addressing the problem, which can make everything worse.

Dog ownership is not just about wanting a dog.

It is about being prepared for the dog you actually bring home.

That means looking honestly at your schedule, finances, family, lifestyle, expectations, and the amount of work you are willing and able to do.

One of the best things you can do is talk to a qualified trainer before getting the dog. Sometimes that conversation confirms you are ready. Sometimes it helps you choose a dog that actually fits your lifestyle. And sometimes the smartest answer is to wait.

Recommended Reading

So, You Want a Dog, WTF Now?

I wrote this book because it is the information I wish people had before bringing a dog home: what ownership really costs, how much time it takes, what to expect, and what questions you should be asking before making the commitment.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training eBooks and audiobooks:
https://kissdogtraining.com/merchandise/

The animal-welfare community, veterinarians, trainers, rescues, fosters, and dog owners are all dealing with the same problem from different directions.

We are not going to eliminate every relinquishment.

But better preparation, communication, realistic expectations, patience, and consistent routines can keep more dogs in the homes they were meant to stay in.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about getting a dog before they make that decision.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

This episode is all about answering real dog training questions from clients.

Why does K.I.S.S. Dog Training only do in-home training?

Why do I usually put two weeks between training sessions?

And how do I decide whether a dog needs puppy training, standard dog training, or a more complex behavior program?

Why In-Home Training?

Most of the problems people call me about happen in the dog’s actual world: inside the house, at the front door, in the backyard, or out on a neighborhood walk.

That is where I want to see the dog.

Private in-home training also gives us a chance to build a foundation before asking a dog to work around the distraction of several other dogs and people in a group setting.

I am not against group classes. I just think they often make more sense as a finishing step after the basic skills are already in place.

Why Two Weeks Between Sessions?

Because the real training happens after I leave.

You need time to practice, make mistakes, ask questions, build routines, and figure out what is and is not working.

In a typical progression, we may start with management, crate work, hand feeding, and attention. Then we add leash skills, Stay, Leave It, and recall. Later we move into neighborhood walks, controlled dog distractions, and eventually busier public environments.

Trying to cram all of that into a few days does not give the dog—or the owner—enough time to actually learn it.

What Kind of Training Do I Offer?

K.I.S.S. Dog Training generally works in three areas:

• Puppy training — socialization, potty training, crate work, hand feeding, and early foundation skills.
• Standard dog training — common problems such as leash pulling, jumping, recall, and reactivity.
• Complex cases — bite histories, city-mandated cases, separation anxiety, and other situations that need a slower, more detailed process.

Complex cases usually begin with a phone evaluation and a detailed behavior history before we ever start in-home work. Those cases also usually need more time between sessions because we are dealing with a marathon, not a sprint.

The common thread through all three is simple:

Training takes time, practice, consistency, and realistic expectations.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who has a dog training question of their own.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

Why do dog owners fail at training?

Sometimes owners are not putting in the work. Sometimes their expectations are unrealistic. Sometimes they picked the wrong dog for their lifestyle. And sometimes the dog-training industry has done a lousy job of explaining how much time this process actually takes.

In this episode, I break down 10 of the most common reasons dog training falls apart.

A few of the biggest ones:

• Lack of consistency and frequency. Ten three-minute training sessions can be more useful than one 30-minute marathon. Build training into normal daily routines.
• Unrealistic expectations. The calm adult dog you admire had to get through puppyhood and adolescence first.
• Looking for the quick fix. Training is a process. If somebody promises to fix everything in a few days, start asking questions.
• Picking the wrong dog. Breed, age, energy level, size, family structure, schedule, and lifestyle all matter.
• Making an impulse decision. A cute puppy or rescue story can tug at your heart, but bringing home a dog is a long-term commitment.
• Expecting the kids to do the work. The dog ultimately belongs to the adults in the household.
• Creating a “living room dog.” If your dog only practices inside the house, do not be surprised when everything falls apart outside.
• Banishing the dog to the backyard. Isolation often creates barking, destruction, escaping, and even more frustration.

One of my biggest recommendations is simple: talk to a good trainer before you get the dog.

Figure out what kind of dog actually fits your life instead of trying to force your life to fit the dog afterward.

I also recommend Meet Your Dog by Kim Brophey for people trying to better understand how genetics, breed tendencies, and individual needs affect the dog standing in front of them.

Free Book Offer Mentioned in This Episode

I also talk about my book:

So You Want a Dog, WTF Now?

It was written around many of these same issues: what you should think about before getting a dog and what you need to understand if you already have one and things are starting to fall apart.

As mentioned in the episode, email:

[email protected]

Tell me you listened to this podcast, and I’ll send you a coupon code to download the K.I.S.S. Dog Training eBook or audiobook version for free.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about getting a dog—or wondering why training has not gone the way they expected.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

What are dog trainers’ own dogs actually like?

Perfect?

Not even close.

In this episode, I talk about my own dogs and why I think the idea of a “perfect trainer’s dog” gives people the wrong picture of what good dog training is supposed to look like.

My dogs are good at the things that matter in my life and in my business.

They can redirect away from distractions. They can work around other dogs. They can settle in public. They can interact appropriately with people. They can come with me to client sessions, shows, patios, and other places where I need a dog that can handle the environment.

But they also have personalities, quirks, bad days, and behaviors that still need routines and management.

The Goal Is Not Perfection

I would much rather have a dog that can calmly lie on a mat while I talk to someone than one that can perform flashy tricks but cannot relax.

Good dog training is not about creating a robot.

It is about building a dog that can live successfully in your world.

That means working on things like:

• Redirection around distractions
• Recall
• Stay
• Calm behavior in public
• Appropriate social behavior
• Routines around visitors, furniture, sleeping arrangements, and everyday life

My dogs are also different from one another.

Little Bit, Liberty, and Loki each have different strengths, personalities, energy levels, and roles in my family and business. Some are better working around reactive dogs. Some are better out in public. Some are simply really good at being spoiled family dogs.

And that is okay.

Manage, Modify, and Improve

One of the things I say throughout this episode is that we do not “fix” dogs.

We manage behavior. We modify behavior. We improve behavior.

There will always be distractions that are harder than others. There will always be good days and bad days.

If you can consistently take three steps forward and only two steps back, you are still moving in the right direction.

The real magic word in dog training is routine.

Practice first where things are easy, then gradually take those skills into the backyard, front yard, neighborhood, and eventually more distracting public environments.

If you can make crazy normal, you can build a pretty reliable dog.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with someone who thinks their dog—or their dog trainer’s dog—is supposed to be perfect.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

Dog math is simple:

When dogs are involved, the numbers do not always add up the way people think they will.

One dog is a lot of work. Two dogs are not just twice the work. And adding another dog does not automatically make life easier for the dog you already have.

In this episode, I break down some of the most common ways dog owners get the math wrong.

More Dogs = More Work

Adding another dog means more:

• Training
• Socialization
• Veterinary care
• Food
• Grooming
• Daycare or dog-walker expenses
• Individual attention
• Management

More dogs can absolutely work, but you need to be realistic about the amount of time, money, and mental bandwidth you are adding to the household.

A Second Dog Will Not Fix the First Dog

If your current dog is out of control, under-exercised, poorly trained, or struggling with problem behaviors, bringing home another dog usually does not solve the problem.

It can multiply it.

A much better approach is to get the first dog stable, trained, and working within good routines before bringing another dog into the family.

Two Puppies Are Not Easier Than One

Taking home two puppies at the same time can create another set of challenges.

They can become more focused on each other than on you, which can make training, socialization, and independence much harder.

If somebody chooses to raise two puppies together, they need separate training time, separate socialization, separate crate work, and plenty of opportunities to learn how to function independently.

The Financial Math Matters Too

Two dogs mean twice the veterinary visits, twice the preventatives, twice the food, and potentially twice the daycare, grooming, boarding, and training expenses.

The same goes for time.

You still have to teach each dog how to potty outside, walk on leash, respond to cues, socialize appropriately, and function in the real world.

Before adding another dog, I strongly recommend talking to a trainer first.

Look at your schedule, lifestyle, finances, current dog, the breed or genetics of the dog you are considering, and what that dog is actually going to need from you.

The best version of dog math is not “more dogs must be better.”

It is making sure the numbers actually work before you bring another dog home.

And there is one last piece of dog math that does work:

If you can keep taking three steps forward and only two steps back, you are still moving in the right direction.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody who is thinking about adding another dog to the family.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1353841/supporters/new

If your dog pulls on leash, the solution usually is not to grab the leash and immediately start walking farther.

The real answer is to teach the skills first.

In this episode, I walk through the order of operations I use for leash training—from attention work inside the house all the way to handling distractions on a real neighborhood walk. The progression is simple: build attention first, add the leash inside, move to the backyard and driveway, and only then start building an actual walk.

Start Before the Walk

Hand feeding gives us a chance to teach Sit, Down, Watch Me, the Turnaround Game, release work, and Leave It before we start competing with everything outside.

Hand Feeding Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbJO2JoPmqJv6cbmelVrTFQt_B4za1OL

Add the Leash Inside

Once those skills are working, add the leash while you are still inside the house. Practice Sit-Stay, Down-Stay, automatic front-facing sits, Leave It, and following without pulling.

Adding the Leash Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbJO2JoPmqLiJ98xLJiEIDYbchTdiH74

Stay Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsbJO2JoPmqJ5tMm40R-IEPTM6ioQdsWg

Teach Leave It Before You Need It

Leave It is one of the most useful commands you can teach because it gives you a way to redirect your dog away from distractions before things fall apart.

Leave It Part 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrAJ9umDRyE&list=PLsbJO2JoPmqJv6cbmelVrTFQt_B4za1OL&index=12

Leave It Part 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gKbvTICzhE&list=PLsbJO2JoPmqLiJ98xLJiEIDYbchTdiH74&index=2

Then Build the Walk

Move from the house to the backyard, then the front yard and driveway. Once the dog can work there, start with just a few driveways at a time and slowly expand the walk.

You are not trying to create a competition heel. The goal is a loose-leash dog that can sniff and enjoy the walk but will still redirect back to you when needed.

Books Mentioned in This Episode

The Five Steps to the Perfect Pet
Whoa Dog Whoa
How to Get Your Dog to Come Without Being a Butthead

Paperback books:
https://kissdogtraining.com/paperback-books/

eBooks:
https://kissdogtraining.com/product-category/e-book/

Audiobooks:
https://kissdogtraining.com/product-category/audiobook/

The biggest factor in all of this is consistency and frequency. Two short training walks every day will accomplish far more than occasionally trying to fix everything during one long, frustrating walk.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with somebody whose daily walk currently feels more like a tug-of-war.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/ 

SEND US A QUESTION OR TOPIC FOR A FUTURE SHOW...

If you enjoy the K.I.S.S. Dog Training Podcast and want to help support what we do, you can become a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. K.I.S.S. Dog Training is my full-time job, and producing the podcast, blogs, videos, and other educational content takes time away from that work. Your support helps me continue putting out solid, science-based, positive-reinforcement dog training information.

Support the podcast here:
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Animal welfare is under enormous pressure.

Shelters are full. Rescues are full. Veterinarians are overwhelmed. Trainers are busy. And families continue bringing dogs home without always understanding how much time, money, training, socialization, and management may be required.

In this episode, I look at the state of animal welfare in 2025 from several different directions—not to point fingers, but to ask a more useful question:

How can we do better?

People usually get dogs with good intentions. But emotional decisions can quickly collide with reality. Puppies need potty training, crate training, socialization, structure, and enormous consistency. Adolescent dogs come with their own challenges. Rescue dogs may arrive with behavioral histories nobody fully understands.

At the same time, shelters and foster-based rescues are trying to create space for the next dog coming through the door. Veterinarians are handling both medical and behavioral concerns. Trainers are often brought in only after the situation has already started falling apart.

The common thread is that we tend to be reactive instead of proactive.

Maybe more people should talk with a trainer before getting a dog. Maybe shelters, trainers, and veterinarians need to work together more closely on education. And maybe some people need to hear that waiting—or fostering instead of adopting—is actually the responsible choice.

There are no perfect dogs, perfect owners, perfect shelters, perfect veterinarians, or perfect trainers. We cannot guarantee outcomes.

What we can do is manage, modify, improve, educate, and prepare.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

So You Want a Dog, WTF?
https://kissdogtraining.com/product/wtf-book/

This book is designed to help people understand the real responsibilities, routines, costs, time commitments, and lifestyle changes involved in bringing home a dog.

Meet Your Dog — Kim Brophey
https://meetyourdogbook.com/

A deeper look at how learning, environment, genetics, and the individual dog all contribute to behavior.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training Puppy Socialization Checklist
https://kissdogtraining.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Puppy-Socialization-Checklist-1.pdf

The checklist contains more than 150 experiences designed to help owners positively expose puppies to people, places, sounds, surfaces, objects, and other parts of the world during the critical socialization period.

If you can help your local rescue by fostering, volunteering, donating, or simply helping educate somebody before they bring home a dog, please do it.

Reducing relinquishment starts long before a dog is returned to a shelter.

K.I.S.S. Dog Training
Dog Training Ain’t Cheap... Experience Counts.
https://kissdogtraining.com/

If you found this episode helpful, please take a minute to leave a review. Reviews are one of the best ways to help other dog owners find the podcast. Follow the show so you do not miss future episodes, and share this one with a trainer, veterinarian, rescue volunteer, foster, or somebody thinking about bringing home a dog.

Support the show

Mike Deathe owns Keep it Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.) Dog training. We can be reached through comments here, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kissdogtraining. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikedeathe/, Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mikedeathekissdogtraining/.  And of course at our website https://kissdogtraining.com/