The Perfect Pup

While the idea of taking your pup with you to all the dog-friendly restaurants, cafes, and stores can seem extremely enticing, some dogs just aren’t built for it.

And, that is okay!

While social media often makes us believe otherwise, not every dog has to be out in public places with you. In this article, I want to help normalize and provide an empathetic view to those who don’t feel like their dog can handle public places.

Here’s some of what we will cover:

-Train (and raise) the dog in front of you

-Don’t force your dog (or yourself) into situations

-Many dogs in public spaces have been practicing for YEARS

In the age of social media, some people feel some type of cultural pressure to take their dogs everywhere!

And if locations allow it, that’s great! But, what if your dog just isn’t cut out for it?

While adequate training is one important factor for taking your dog to public spaces, that’s not the only consideration.

Some pups have great manners overall, but just get stressed out or overwhelmed with large crowds.

Some pups have great manners overall, but just get anxious when they have to settle or relax for too long while outside.

Some pups have great manners overall, but may have a history of unfortunate experiences that happened in public spaces that trigger an emotional response.

And guess what… THAT IS OKAY!

Even though your favorite Instagram doggie account takes their pup to every dog-friendly restaurant, bar, and cafe, that doesn’t mean you have to as well.

Every dog is different and our training and rearing should be unique and personalized accordingly.

DON’T FORCE YOUR DOG (OR YOURSELF) INTO SITUATIONS

Part of our role as pup parents is to tap into the nuances and unique personalities of our dogs.

While it can take time and effort, learning to read your dog’s body language can help you understand how your dog is feeling in new (or not new) situations. 

And if your dog is clearly exhibiting excessive signs of stress, what do you gain by staying at that restaurant, cafe, or park?

 Of course, some stressors can be valuable but there is always a fine line.

Giving your dog choices and not forcing them into undesirable situations will not only improve your bond but will also help you as the pup parent not get too overwhelmed!

And forcing your pup into spaces they can’t handle often unfortunately just turns into more stress, anxiety, and negative associations in the future. It can become a vicious cycle!

While many of us want to take our dogs with us everywhere we go, it’s important to remember our dog’s needs and capabilities. Some dogs don’t enjoy crowds, extended settling while outside, or being in an unpredictable place like a dog-friendly restaurant.

Remember to train the dog in front of you, don’t force them into stressful situations, and be patient with their progress.

If you’re looking for tips on improving impulse control and behaviors like settling/place, be sure to check out 21 Impulse Control Games!

You’ll get access to easy-to-play, quick, and effective games to help improve your dog’s manners, even out in public places! Get access here ✅  https://pfrd.site/impulse-games-here

I’m here to tell you first and foremost, dog mom (or dad) guilt is totally normal.

Let that sink in for a second…

We all want to be the absolute best pup parent and provide our dogs with a healthy, happy, and fulfilled life. But, sometimes we fall short.

And that’s where the guilt comes in.

In this article, I want to help break down what guilt really means, why dog parent guilt happens, and some actionable ways to help reduce those feelings of guilt.

Here’s some of what we will cover:

-What exactly is guilt?

-Why do we feel guilty as pup parents?

-What can you do when you’re feeling dog mom (or dad) guilt?

-I feel guilty leaving my dog, what can I do? (this one is so common it’s getting its own section)

First, let’s clarify what guilt means from a clinical perspective.

Guilt is described as a self-conscious emotion that involves negative evaluations of the self, feelings of distress, and feelings of failure.

We all have goals and aspirations of being the best pup parent possible. And unfortunately, we often fall short of our own expectations.

And when that happens, guilt shows up.

While guilt can actually be a healthy emotion (it leads us to want to improve and/or repair mistakes that cause guilt), there are times when it becomes harmful and unproductive.

The reasons we feel guilty as dog moms and dads are almost endless (unfortunately), but here are some common reasons we pup parents feel guilt about our dogs.

-Leaving our dogs home alone for extended periods (this is probably #1)

-Incorrect training methods when we just didn’t know better or hadn’t yet learned what to do (using the crate as punishment, punishment-style methods, etc.)

-Having to crate our dogs when we leave or even while we’re at home

-Falling behind on grooming that negatively affects our dogs (nails too long, not frequent enough grooming visits, etc.)

-Bringing home another dog

-Having a baby and our dog getting much less attention and care

-When our dogs act bored or seemingly “sad”

-When we see them in pain and feel powerless to help them

-Getting angry or impatient with our dog’s behavior and/or training progress

-Spending less time with our dogs during holidays, busy periods of life, back to school, etc.

-Leaving our dogs while we go on vacation

While that list isn’t comprehensive, those are some very common reasons dog mom guilt pops up!

So, what can you do?!

Besides giving yourself some empathy and compassion, there are some critical reminders and actions you can do to help reduce your pup parent guilt! ⤵️

From a psychological standpoint, remedies for unnecessary guilt may include reflecting on factors that were beyond your control, acknowledging what you know now that you didn’t in the past, and considering whether your standards for yourself are too unforgiving. 

I think that last part is massive… Considering whether your standards are too unforgiving.

When it comes to dog parent guilt, above all, know that it’s normal. Guilt and associated feelings are to be expected, and it’s good to give yourself some slack. The puppy blues are real!

And while it can sound annoying to hear, it will get better! Puppies can be extremely difficult in the early stages.  But, if you stick to a training plan, like the free 30 Day Perfect Pup course, and stay consistent you will see improvements in your dog’s behavior and likely your own feelings toward your pup.

PS- Sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup (free) here: https://pfrd.site/signupfree-here

While we often think of food as a dog’s strongest reinforcement, your attention (eye contact, petting/scratches, talking, etc) can be almost as strong as a reinforcer for your pup!

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years to instinctively look for and work for our attention.

But, your attention can sometimes accidentally reinforce “bad” behaviors you do not want your dog to do… 😲

In this article, we’ll discuss how attention can be a reinforcer, why dogs care about our attention, and of course, how to more intentionally use your attention to improve good pup manners!

Here’s some of what we will cover:

-Why do dogs care about our attention?

-Your dog decides their reinforcers

-Unintentional attention reinforcement

-Interrupt & redirect to the “right” behavior

A reinforcer is something delivered after a behavior that causes the future rate of that behavior to maintain or increase.

While you could in theory make a pages-long list of dog reinforcers, here are a few:

-Attention (even just looking at our pups)

-Treats or food

-Verbal praise

-Petting/belly rubs

-Fetch 

-Tug

The list goes on! 

And while some dogs don’t care as much about attention from humans as others, almost all of those reinforcers come from us…

We throw the ball. We give the treats. We rub the bellies. We give the praise.

Of course, there are reinforcers that we don’t provide (barking can be one), but most of them rely on human interaction!

A reinforcer is something delivered after a behavior that causes the future rate of that behavior to maintain or increase.

But what if that reinforcer is delivered, albeit unintentionally, after a non-desirable behavior occurs? Unfortunately, the laws of learning still apply!

Let’s look at a few examples.

And let me say, these are extremely common so do NOT feel bad if you do these. My goal is to get you thinking about when/how this may occur in your home. Being aware of dog training “mistakes” is the first step in fixing them!

If your dog jumps up and you put your hands on them to try to push them down, a reinforcement was just applied. Your dog wanted your attention (that’s why they’re jumping, in most cases) and you gave it to them by touching them.

So, that jumping is likely to be repeated and/or increase in frequency.

If your dog sits begging at the table and you say “oh buddy, you’re so cute but not today”, a small reinforcement was just applied. Your dog wanted your attention (ultimately to get food) and you gave it to them by speaking to and engaging with them.

So, that begging for food is likely to continue (and then certainly will if you give in and provide the table scraps).

If your dog demand barks and you come up to them and try to engage with them to figure out what they want, a reinforcement was just applied. Your dog wanted you to pay attention to them, and you did it!

So, that demand barking is likely to be repeated and/or increase in frequency.

See the pattern? 

Even when you may not think you are reinforcing a behavior, you just might be… With your attention!

If you’re looking for more in-depth training techniques, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup with Zak George! 

It’s a 100% free (no credit card required) online video course that covers behaviors like teaching yes & no, leave it, leash walking, potty training, and more. Sign up for free here: https://pfrd.site/classhere-signup

While jumping can seem cute when you have a small puppy, it drastically changes when that little pup turns into a full-grown dog. Understanding why dogs jump on you is key to overcoming this challenging behavior!

Our dogs typically jump on us for 5 reasons, and we’re gonna dive into each one in this article!

Here is a quick overview of why dogs jump up on you:

-Dogs jump to greet you

-Nervous or scared dogs may jump

-Sometimes, jumping can be aggressive

-They just want access to something

-Dogs jump up when they’re excited

And of course, we will discuss 3 tips to help reduce your dog jumping up on guests, strangers, or you!

Let’s get right to it 👇

A study found that dogs were 13 times more likely to jump on you when you come home vs jumping up on you when you were holding food.

This is often the biggest culprit for a jumping pup.

There are a few reasons why your dog wants to jump to greet you, here are a few.

-They want to be closer to you

-They know that praise and verbal reinforcement come from your mouth and want to be closer

-Your hands (which are often higher than where your pup is) provide treats, pets, and love and they want that affection

-Your upper body (mouth, nose, armpits, etc.) holds a lot of your smells and information that your dog wants to “read”

-They’re excited (more on that later) and don’t know what else to do, jumping is natural for them

While that isn’t a comprehensive list, it should provide insight as to why your dog jumps on you when you come home.

Simply put, our dogs want to be close to us after being left alone, and jumping up makes that a reality for them! 

Plus, it’s just natural for them! Think about how they greet other dogs… it usually involves some face-to-face interaction!

Dog jumping can be a challenging behavior to overcome! It is a very natural behavior and happens for many reasons. Here, again, are some major reasons why dogs jump up on you:

-Dogs jump to greet you

-Nervous or scared dogs may jump

-Sometimes, jumping can be aggressive

-They just want access to something

-Dogs jump up when they’re excited

And while many of those reasons have similarities, each one can be approached slightly differently. 

The key to overcoming your dog’s jumping behavior is to stay consistent and only give attention and rewards when all four paws are on the ground. Here is a quick recap of some ways to reduce your dog’s jumping:

-Play the Four Paws Game

-Teach replacement behaviors like settle or place

-Stay extremely consistent, if you don’t want your pup to jump on guests then don’t let them jump on you

Training a well-mannered pup is a lifelong endeavor that takes patience and practice. If you want some more in-depth training help with videos and an eBook, be sure to check out 30 Day Perfect Pup.

It’s a 100% free (no credit card required) online dog training class taught by Zak George. Learn more and sign up for free here! https://pfrd.site/class30days

PLEASE leave a review on Apple Podcasts here.

Too often as pup parents, we try to fix or train “bad” behaviors while they are happening.

Unfortunately, we often feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, and downright frustrated in the heat of those moments.

So in this article, we’re going to discuss alternatives to better set your dog up for success. And, I’m going to give you a sports reference that just might make this concept click (it’s not actually “sports heavy” don’t worry 😜)!

Here’s some of what we will cover:

-What my high school soccer coach really understood

-Why it’s too hard to train during the “bad” behaviors

-Create a plan and practice, practice, practice

Let’s get right to it! ⬇️

In the heat of the moment, our dogs become much more difficult to communicate with.

And to make matters worse, when your pup starts doing that behavior that drives you crazy, YOU become not so good at communicating. (It’s not a personal knock, just a reality of being human.😃)

As soon as your puppy starts to jump on guests, feelings of embarrassment and frustration often flood your brain. You seem to forget about all the training techniques you spent hours learning about. It is tough!

And that’s why you need a plan… ⏬

CREATE A PLAN AND PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

While I won’t dive into specific training techniques (you can sign up for the free 30 Day Perfect Pup course for that), I will implore you to create a plan and practice behaviors NOT when they are actually occurring.

If you’re struggling with your pup jumping on guests when they come through the door, the time to train to overcome that behavior is NOT when guests are coming through the door.

Here’s what I mean. 👇

If you want your dog to lay on their bed/place when guests come in the door, you need to start by building a strong foundation for the ‘place’ behavior with zero distractions. (That will take time, by the way.)

Then, once they’ve got place down pretty well you can start to add small distractions.

Then when they’ve got that down you can add larger distractions.

At that point, you can start to set up “mock” door greetings. Try it first with someone in your household (if possible). Have them go outside, knock on the door, and then enter with you there coaching and guiding your pup on what to do.

Once they’re improving on staying in their place when someone they’re familiar with comes in the door, it’s time for the next level of “mock” door greetings.

Find a family member, friend, or easily convinced neighbor to help you practice the behavior! Explain to them in detail what will be happening and how you want them to behave in this “mock” door greeting.

If the dog jumps, tell them to turn their back or even go outside. Instruct them not to look at or pet your dog unless they are in their place. 

This type of planned-out practice is how you ultimately help train your dog to not jump on guests. While just trying to redirect or stop the jumping while it’s happening will not be as successful!

If you need help with a training plan, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup taught by Zak George! It’s a 100% free (no credit card required) online dog training course complete with videos, daily tips, and an ebook. Sign up for free here! https://pfrd.site/pupsclass-here

Treats are part of every dog’s life, but how many treats per day can your dog have?!

54% of dogs are either overweight or obese. And unfortunately, treats are often a big culprit of this problem!

So, let’s break down how many treats your dog can safely consume AND more importantly, how you can find that number for your specific pup! Because just talking about the 10% rule for treats isn’t enough!

Here’s what we will cover:

-Dog body condition score

-Calculating your dog’s caloric needs

-The 10% rule

-The treats you choose REALLY matter

A quick & important disclaimer, you should consult your veterinarian whenever looking at changing your dog’s diet.

Your vet can give you a more accurate picture of your dog’s health, weight range, and information specific to your pup’s needs.

Generally speaking, treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s total daily caloric intake. Notice I said ‘total’. That means if you’re planning on using that 10% of treats, it should be part of the total amount your dog eats.

So that means if your dog needed 1,000 calories total you would feed about 900 calories from meals and the other 100 as treats. You would NOT do 1,000 calories of food and an extra 100 calories of treats. It’s total!

Want to try 1-calorie treats?! Check out 6 different flavor options here: https://pfrd.site/1kcal-treats

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The next time you’re tempted to think your pup is being “naughty, bad, or disrespectful”, it may help to remember that dogs are opportunists.

While there are many behaviors we perceive as “bad”, dogs often act out of a desire to fulfill their own hard-wired desires and needs. Understanding this and adopting a mindset that empathizes with our opportunistic dogs can help you raise a well-mannered pup.

Here’s what we will cover:

-A brief history lesson about dogs

-What being an “opportunist” means

-3 behaviors that showcase your pup’s opportunism

-How to train an opportunistic dog

If you're looking for more in-depth training, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup (100% free) here: https://pfrd.site/freeeclass-heree

I remember being a young dog sitter and taking the dog on a walk, seeing him sniff a dog’s butt, and alarmingly wondering to myself ‘WHY do dogs sniff butts’?!

I was 10 years old and thought it was hilarious, of course, but also could tell it probably was for a specific reason. Well, fast forward a couple of decades, and current me is going to amaze you (and 10-year-old-me) with all the facts about dogs and butt sniffing!

While I’ll do my best to hold in as many butt jokes and puns (was that one already?! 😜), there are some seriously amazing reasons as to why our pups love to sniff each other’s backsides!

Here’s what we will cover:

Let’s get our butts in gear and learn all about it! 🍑

Here are some pieces of information your dog learns when they sniff another dog’s butt:

STOP and think about that for a moment. What we humans perceive as a kind of weird behavior (the butt sniffing) is actually a tool your dog uses to get to know the other dogs around them!

To learn more about dog behavior and body language, check out the Dog Body Language Course taught by Traci Madson CPDT-KA here: https://pfrd.site/course-bodylanguage 

Dogs can play a huge role in our mental health journey. But, is it always “improvements”?!

I sat down with Chrissy Lawler, a licensed therapist & sleep expert, to discuss the good AND the bad parts of dogs and our mental health.

And while dogs typically provide SO much good in our lives, it’s important to understand some of the bad that can pop up.

Here is what we’ll cover in this podcast interview:

-Are there situations where dogs become a “net-negative” for someone’s mental health?

-How can having a dog impact a child’s or young adult’s mental health?

-Is it typically the responsibility of taking care of a dog that helps with depression & mental illness, or is it the dog itself?

-If someone is looking to get a dog to help improve their mental health, what should they consider when making that decision?

If your dog's behavior is starting to cause you more stress and challenges, be sure to sign up for our 100% free online dog training course here: https://pfrd.site/freehere-class

Wherever you interact with other pup parents, you’ve probably experienced the harness vs collar debate.

While it comes down to your preference and your dog’s needs, there are some pros and cons of both harnesses and collars you must be aware of!

In this article, I’ll break down 5 pros and cons of both harnesses and collars for your puppy or adult dog and by the end, you’ll be able to make an informed decision for your pup! 

It’s vital to understand that both harnesses and collars are not a training solution, they are just a tool!

No dog will magically walk perfectly on a leash just because you put a no-pull harness on him/her.

When used properly, a good harness (or collar) should be seen as a supplemental tool to your leash training efforts.

So please ensure your expectations are accurate when it comes to what harnesses and collars can do for your dog’s behavior!

Now, here is a simple overview of harnesses vs collars!

Pros of Harnesses

-More secure on your dog’s body

-Better control, especially with a 2-contact point harness

-Can help reduce pulling

-Less leash tangling

-Safer distribution of pressure

Cons of Harnesses

-Can be uncomfortable

-More challenging to get the right fit

-Can affect your dog’s gait (although research conflicts)

-Often don’t have tags/ID holder

-Can increase pulling

Pros of Collars

-Easy to remove and put on

-Less intrusive as it doesn’t go over your dog’s face 

-Many styles and options are available

-Holder for tags/ID

-Often easier to clean

Cons of Collars

-Has been shown to cause pressure on the eyes

-Can cause neck/back pain, no distribution of pressure

-Dogs can easily slip out (martingale helps with this)

-Can be dangerous if caught on things which can lead to choking

-More leash tangling

Want to check out my FAVORITE dog harness (I've tried too many others to count)? Head here: https://pfrd.site/best-harnesss

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