The Perfect Pup

While online learning is valuable beyond compare, there’s something to be said about education through physical books (or ebooks if you must 😜). On that note, I wanted to share 3 of the best dog training books that I think EVERY pup parent should read!

These books not only will help improve your dog’s behavior, but they’ll ultimately help you better understand what’s going on in your pup’s head!

1- Don’t Shoot the Dog - Karen Pryor: https://amzn.to/3uDMO9f

2- Culture Clash - Jean Donaldson: https://amzn.to/3OY24pr

3- Zak George's Dog Training Revolution: The Complete Guide to Raising the Perfect Pet with Love: https://amzn.to/3c44oN8

4- How Dogs Work - Raymond Coppinger: https://amzn.to/3Iw3dCn

5- The Other End of the Leash - Patricia McConnell: https://amzn.to/3Ixz3yM

6- Meet Your Dog - Kim Brophey: https://amzn.to/3ywwgRN

While it's not a book, our 30 Day Perfect Pup course is full of helpful information and resources for training a well-behaved dog. AND it's 100% free. Sign up here: https://pfrd.site/signupnow

Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts, thanks for listening!

Imagine wearing a jacket all day long in the middle of July… That’s essentially what our dogs do! 

And unfortunately, dog heat stroke is a serious problem and can sneak up on you quickly!

So, in this article, I’m going to give you 15 dog summer safety tips to help your pup stay cool, protected, and safe, even during the hottest days.

And even if you live in a cooler area, you never know where travel might take you. So let’s get right into it! ⬇️

-Walk at cooler times of day

-Use shoes/boots when it’s really hot

-Always bring water & a bowl

-Take frequent breaks

-Give your dog frozen treats

-Be aware of critters like snakes, fleas & ticks, chiggers, etc.

-Don’t leave your dog in the car

-If your dog must be left outside, provide shade and water

-Use an elevated or cooling bed

-Swimming and water activities

-Keep lawn and garden products out of your dog’s reach

-Brush more frequently

-Use sunblock (really)

-Screens on windows in your home

-Keep your dog’s hair trimmed (but not shaved)

Bonus Hacks for City Living

-Find pet-friendly restaurants and businesses to ask for water

-Opt for shady streets

-Clean paws after being outside

Need paw balm for your pup?! Check out Butter Up here: https://pfrd.site/pawbalm

Every year millions of pets are lost or run away. And unfortunately, not having a dog microchip makes it 2.4x LESS likely that you’ll be reunited with your pup!

And to make matters worse, the 4th of July and the following days typically lead to about a 30% uptick in lost dogs. 

But, it’s not all gloom and doom. Microchips are extremely easy to get, relatively cheap, and can keep your pup safe for their entire life!

So, we’re gonna dive into all things dog microchips to help you keep your pup safe!

 Here’s some of what we’ll cover in this guide 🐶

-What is a dog microchip?

-How do dog microchips work?

-How big is a dog microchip?

-Do dog microchips have GPS?

-Where are dog microchips placed?

-How to lookup & register a dog’s microchip

-Should you microchip your dog?

-How much does dog microchipping cost?

-What are some dog microchipping side effects?

Dog microchips are an extremely useful and beneficial tool for pup parents. By microchipping your dog, you vastly increase your odds of being reunited with your pup if they run away or are lost.

And while there have been reported side effects, those effects are generally mild and don’t last for long. 

No matter where you live or your dog’s breed, choosing to microchip your dog is a smart choice!

Do you have an experience where you (or someone you know) benefitted from having their dog microchipped? Tell everyone about it in the comments below!

And if you’re a new pup parent trying to learn the ropes of raising a pup, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup! It’s an online, free (no cc required), and effective video training course to help you raise a well-behaved dog! 

Sign up for free here: https://pfrd.site/course-here

PLEASE leave a review, it helps the podcast get found by more pup parents like you!

Some things in life are never fun. Like, cleaning up dog vomit.

But, by using a simple item like puppy pads, you can make that clean-up about 37x easier. Actually, you can make that clean-up almost non-existent.

Let me tell you why, where, and how puppy pads are just about the most underrated life hack known to dog parents!

In this video, we’ll cover the following:

-Why I always have puppy pads

-Where I keep puppy pads

Why I Always Have Puppy Pads - Even When Not Potty Training

A few weeks ago as my wife and I lay in bed, probably watching Ozark, I heard the noise that no pup parent ever wants to hear…

The regurgitating-are-you-about-to-cough-or-throw-up noise that only dogs can make.

It’s the type of noise that will get your attention no matter what. Even if you’re in a deep sleep!

I quickly pulled a puppy pad out from my nightstand drawer, tossed it to my wife, and she placed it under my dog Scout’s mouth.

Scout proceeded to throw up…

RIGHT ON THE PUPPY PAD! 🙌

It was a moment that typically would have been dreadful but was actually slightly blissful. And that was only because I had a puppy pad handy and ready!

Moments like this happen WAY more frequently than you might think, especially when you have a puppy. 

Having puppy pads readily available can protect your carpets, couches, and comforters from nasty messes!

But those aren’t the only places… ⬇️

Where I Keep Puppy Pads

Now that we’ve established that puppy pads are an absolute life-saver, where should you keep them?!

There are everyday places like near a crate, dog bed, or puppy play area but there are some unique spots that’ll save you some cleaning time, too!

Here are spots I love to keep puppy pads at all times:

-Car, usually in the glove box, middle compartment, or another convenient area

-Dog bag, whatever you take when you go to the park or on a walk with your pup

-Purse/backpack, the space a potty pad takes up will be well worth the benefits of having it on you when you least expect the need for it

-On a bedside table/nightstand, see the story above 😜

-In your main living room area, essentially wherever you spend the most time in your home… It’s almost certain your pup will vomit, poop, or throw up in that area at some point

Hopefully you get the point! Having puppy pads readily available in common areas of your home, car or bag will save you in the long run.

Final Thoughts on Puppy Pads for Mess Clean Up

Puppy pads are first and foremost for potty training a puppy, but they can serve as a quick clean-up tool too!

I highly highly recommend you snag some puppy pads here (up to 15% off): https://pfrd.site/pads-here

Or, don’t… and risk all kinds of nasty messes ending up on places you don’t want them 😉

After about the 73rd puppy bite of the day, I looked down at my bloodied hands and wondered aloud… WHY do puppies bite so much?!

I tried all the puppy biting tips but nothing seemed to be working. 😫 What a challenge!

Like many things in life, understanding the why behind our dog’s behaviors can actually help us more effectively train and raise a well-behaved pup!

So, let’s break down why puppies bite, how they interact with the world around them, and of course, some other FAQs around puppy biting.

Now, here are 9 major reasons puppies bite so much ⬇️

1- Overtired

2- Overexcited

3- Frustrated

4- Saying “No”

5- Playing

6- Teething

7- Some breeds bite more

8- Telling you they need to potty

9- It’s how they explore the world

While it is painful to deal with, puppy biting is normal behavior. Our young dogs explore the world with their mouths!

So if you’re dealing with the puppy biting stage, focus on reducing the behavior over time.

Give proper chewing outlets.

Provide plenty of redirection for unwanted biting.

Take your puppy for puppy play dates.

For even more puppy biting tips, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup!

This course taught by Zak George has a full section devoted to the challenges of puppy biting.

Sign up for the 100% free (no cc required) online training course here: https://pfrd.site/class-biting

When have you noticed your puppy bites the most?! Any other theories as to why puppies bite so much? Tell me in the comments below!

In the vast majority of cases, crate training is extremely beneficial. But is it necessary..?

Many pup parents questioning the necessity of crate training are at their wit’s end with their puppy whining and barking in the crate.

And to that I say, trust the process. If you set out with a desire to have a crate-trained puppy, don’t give up just yet.

So to answer the question of whether crate training is necessary… the answer is no. At least according to the dictionary definition.

Necessary is defined as; absolutely needed, required. Example: Food is necessary to survive.

So under the literal definition, crate training a dog is not necessary. A dog doesn’t need a crate to survive. It is not absolutely needed.

BUT! 🚨

Crate training your puppy is highly recommended and extremely beneficial to your pup’s well-being.

I believe that each pup parent needs to make decisions that fit their lifestyle, home environment, and their dog. The adage ‘train the dog in front of you’ is timeless wisdom in a world of infinite opinions, information, and ideas.

So, let’s break down 17 Pros and Cons of crate training your puppy to help you make an educated decision for yourself.

17 Crate Training Pros and Cons

Pretty much all dog topics have pros and cons, and crating your puppy is no different. Here are 17 pros and cons of crate training!

PROS of Crate Training

CONS of Crate Training

For a more in-depth look at crate training, check out the Crate Training Course taught by Amber Aquart CPDT-KA!

Often the first thing new pup parents search for is puppy potty training tips (no one wants to clean pee from their carpet constantly). 

And you can find LOADS of information and tips about potty training, but there is one essential tip you can’t skip out on…

It is setting a schedule and timers and following them to a T. That is the most effective puppy potty training tip. Period.

While that may sound simple, new pup parents often forget and neglect it.

The result? ⬇️

Accidents, frustration, and a confused pup. So, let’s dive deeper into what your potty schedule should be, how to follow it, and a few other basic puppy potty training tips!

Moreso than anything else, setting a potty schedule with timers and sticking to it will provide the fastest road to potty training success.

Having a schedule is one thing, but setting timers will keep you on track with that schedule! So, if you decide you need to take your puppy out every 60 minutes, set a timer to remind you.

Once the timer goes off, take your puppy out to potty and then repeat that process.

The biggest potty training mistake pup parents make is thinking they can just guess when their puppy will need to pee. Do NOT do this. Young puppies are not capable of telling you when they need to pee!

For puppies 8-10 weeks, I would recommend setting a timer for 45-90 minutes and taking your pup out every time the timer goes off.

I gave a range there for two reasons. 

#1- Every puppy is different

#2- Size plays a role in how often your puppy will need to pee. Smaller dogs will need to go more often than larger dogs

I can already hear you saying ‘every 45 minutes, that seems like way too much work and time’. 😜

Well, let me tell you this… It is much easier to take a pup out more frequently and have successful potty breaks outside than it is to try and untrain a learned behavior of going potty inside.

Your main goal when potty training a young puppy is to give your pup as many opportunities as possible to go potty outside and be rewarded (heavily) for that.

I’ll say it again. Your focus with a new puppy should be to provide ample chances for your young pup to do their business outside, not inside!

Because remember (from above), every time your pup goes potty inside they are naturally reinforced by no longer having an urge to pee. 

As your pup ages, you can extend those timers up to around 1.5 to 3 hours. And generally speaking when a puppy is about 5-6 months old they have a mature bladder and can hold it longer.

You’ll quickly find what timing works best as your pup progresses, but avoid the trap of trying to overextend the interval between potty breaks. That’s when accidents happen!

For more in-depth potty training tips, check out the course taught by Traci Madson here! 

One of the most common questions in our private online community is “how long does it take to train a puppy”. Often, that wonder is accompanied by the realization that training a puppy can be a lot of hard work.

Naturally, we want our puppies to learn quickly. 

BUT, that’s not always the case. 

While many behaviors can be learned in 3-6 months (or more… or less), so many factors can influence how fast your puppy will learn new behaviors.

And on top of that, putting “timelines” on your puppy’s learning is a serious trap! 😨

5 Factors That Influence How Long It Takes a Puppy to Be Fully Trained

For a full text recap, be sure to head to the Pupford blog here (search this title or topic on the website for easiest access).

Please subscribe and leave a review! Happy training!

You’re a better pup parent than you think. 

And in this article, I’ll tell you exactly why I believe that to be true.

We’ll also talk about dealing with self-doubt as a pup parent and staying positive with your efforts with your pup!

Let’s get right to it ⬇️ 

Self-Doubt As a Pup Parent

Raising a pup can be hard work. In the sense of time, effort, and even mentally.

There can be a LOT of ups and downs, frustrating moments, and moments of self-doubt.

A good friend of mine recently got a puppy and we’ve had many chats about the challenges of puppyhood. One comment he made was to the effect of “is what I’m doing even working or making a difference”.

Like many things in life, we can often find ourselves doubting our efforts. We often wonder if what we are doing is good enough, correct, or even worth our efforts.

Those feelings are very real, and can be very tough to deal with!

Moments of self-doubt about your abilities as a pup parent are common.

While self-doubt can be common, I believe that most times you are doing better than you think you are! Let’s talk about how to combat those negative thoughts and find ways to look at yourself as a pup parent in a positive way!

You’re Doing Better Than You Think

Like I mentioned before, I think you’re a better pup parent than you may feel you are! And we all need to be reminded of that from time to time!

One small note. It is vital you give your dog proper exercise and attention and that you meet their physical needs. That includes vet check-ups, proper nutrition, and using science-based training methods. Most pup parents are doing those things and the rest of this article applies to that group.

Caring Is Half the Battle

If you’re reading this article, that in itself is evidence that you care about your pup and are likely doing a great job. And caring about your pup’s well-being is half the battle!

Our dogs are animals with emotions, and I believe they can know when we are making an effort. And you making an effort is evidence that you’re a great pup parent!

Reading articles, watching videos about training techniques, and learning more about your dog’s behavior, health, and wellness is a sign you truly care about your dog.

It’s Not JUST About “Behavior”

While we focus often on behavior improvement, it’s not the only thing that matters. Your relationship with your pup is a huge part of what makes you a good pup parent.

Some behaviors can limit your ability to have a quality relationship with your pup, but generally speaking, you can forge a strong bond with your pup regardless of their behavioral shortcomings.

So, try to not let yourself get too hung up on your dog’s problem behaviors. Remember that being a good pup parent is much more than having a “perfect” dog (those don’t exist by the way).

Dogs Are Forgiving

Dogs are very forgiving creatures. I believe that’s part of why humans have developed such strong bonds with the species over history.

So even if you make mistakes (which we all do), your dog will still love you. To me, it’s comforting knowing that my pup will still be there no matter what.

Of course, we shouldn’t take advantage of that forgiveness.

BUT, knowing that your dog is forgiving should give you peace of mind as you work toward being the best pup parent you can be!

Focus on the Positives

While I personally despise the rhetoric that positivity is the “catch-all solution” to life’s problems (I do believe positivity is helpful), I think trying to look at the positive efforts you’re making is extremely helpful when you feel down as a pup parent.

While there are many many ways to raise a pup, there are generally agreed-upon ways to be a responsible dog parent! And being a responsible pup parent makes the world better for all other dogs and humans.

In this episode, I’ll break down 5 easy ways (honestly, very easy) to be a good dog parent citizen. Plus, these ideas will help keep you and your pup safe!

Let’s dive into it ⬇️

Being a responsible dog parent helps open the door to new opportunities and situations for your dog and all dogs in general.

When people choose to not be responsible dog parents, they ruin experiences, locations, and situations for other dog parents and their pups.

Here are 5 easy ways to be a responsible dog parent.

1- Pick up poop

2- Keep your dog healthy with vaccines, spaying/neutering, grooming, etc.

3- Pay attention in public

4- Don’t go places your dog can’t handle

5- Understand that not everyone likes dogs

We can all do our part to help make society a more enjoyable place for us humans and our dog counterparts.

What else do you think is important when it comes to being a responsible dog parent? Tell me in a review!