The Perfect Pup

The way we choose to train our puppies can have long-term effects on their mental well-being, and behavior!

Unfortunately, I made the mistake of trusting some “experts” who guided me to make training decisions that almost ruined my relationship with my puppy.

Let’s dive into why it happened to me and why it often happens to other well-intentioned pup parents.

My wife and I got our 2nd puppy to try and give our 1st puppy a friend and playmate. While it was a great decision overall, we were in over our heads…

We were first-time pup parents and we truly didn’t know what to expect. And we certainly didn’t know what we were doing!

Feeling overwhelmed by our puppies’ behavior, we decided to enroll in an in-person training class (this was before 30 Day Perfect Pup existed).

The group that hosted the training class was full of trainers with decades of experience, awards, and reviews. Simply put, it sounded legit to us!

On orientation day (without dogs present), we were informed that we would need to use a choke chain for our dogs. They called it something else, but it was a metal slip/choke chain.

While both my wife and I didn’t feel great about it, we figured since they were experts with lots of experience it would be fine.

Fast forward to week 1 of the actual training class.

A middle-school-sized gymnasium was filled with about 35-50 puppies and their pup parents. It was clear through observation and conversation that many of the pup parents were in the same boat as us.

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and downright unsure of what to do with our young puppies.

And you can imagine the level of chaos in the room. Puppies lunging toward other puppies, instructors trying to teach over the sound of dozens of barks, and many pup parents seeming to struggle to just keep their dogs from running every which way.

From day 1 of instruction, it was a LOT of corrections, collar pops, and generally unpleasant techniques. While there were some teachings about how and when to reward, the focus was on corrections and stopping our dog from doing “bad” things.

But we believed it would get better, and we didn’t have much of a frame of reference… so we kept going.

Looking back now, it was clear that our puppies were overwhelmed, stressed, and confused every time we went to class. 

There was little to no learning going on.

As the class progressed, our puppy Scout didn’t seem to be progressing (not surprising). Leash walking was still a challenge, she didn’t focus in class, and it seemed like nothing was working.

One of the trainer's recommendations was to put her on a prong collar. A 3-month-old puppy.

Luckily we didn’t.

Our puppies loved other dogs and puppies. They wanted to go up and interact with all of them during the class hours!

The trainers instructed us to give a collar pop/correction whenever our puppies lunged or pulled to go toward other dogs.

Fast forward to 1 year after this class, and we were struggling tremendously with Scout’s reactivity.

At the time I didn’t understand why, but now that I’ve learned more about dog behavior it was clear those constant corrections helped make Scout reactive.

It took us months (pushing on years) of hard and stressful work to overcome that reactivity.

While it is extremely frustrating to look back and realize those trainers set us up for failure, there are some lessons I learned that hopefully you can apply to your relationship with your puppy! 

While there isn’t one simple answer, generally speaking puppies calm down (at least a little bit) when they stop growing. But it’s not that simple…

Let’s find out when your puppy will calm down 👇

A quick note before we look at the factors. The question of ‘when do puppies calm down’ is truthfully a loaded question. 

Are you really wondering about when your puppy will have less energy or when your puppy will be better behaved?

Thinking that a puppy will just magically be calm, attentive, and behave properly when they ‘calm down’ over time will lead you to a world of disappointment. A “calm” puppy really comes with training, routine, and proper teaching, but more on that later!

One more note to add… every puppy is different. Truthfully there is no one-size-fits-all answer for when puppies calm down! But, we’ll still do our best to break down some factors.

Alright, let’s cover what factors can influence when a puppy will calm down.

-Breed

-Size

-Gender

-Socialization with other dogs

-Home environment

-Routine & training

For a full text overview with EVEN more tips, head to pupford.com/blog or search 'when do puppies calm down' on pupford.com!

A counter surfing dog can be extremely frustrating and dangerous. And while there are some things you can do to reduce counter surfing, we have to talk about the unfortunate reality of this behavior.

Prevention is the #1 way to stop counter surfing. But more on that later!

Plus, we will break down why dogs counter surf. Understanding the why of this behavior is important to know how to stop it!

In this episode we will cover the following.

Let’s get to it 👇

Dogs are opportunistic animals. If they approach a situation and believe there may be a reward for them, they’ll explore further.

If there is food, they’ll likely try to eat it.

Here are a few other factors that can contribute to counter surfing.

When you are home, counter surfing can be stopped with the right methods.

Here are a few ways to stop counter surfing when you’re home (full explanations below).

Now is where we get into the unfortunate reality of counter surfing…

You cannot stop counter surfing when you’re NOT home. At least not really.

You won’t be there to say ‘leave it’, or ‘off’, or ‘place’. You won’t be there to redirect. You won’t be there to stop the behavior.

So, is there anything you can do?!

NO.

Well, not really at least ⬇️

To stop counter surfing while you’re gone you have 2 options.

That is the harsh reality of handling a counter surfing dog.

Taking dogs on vacation can typically go one of two ways.

Outcome #1: Enjoyable for everyone (dog included), fun, and relaxing

Outcome #2: Stressful for everyone (dog included), unpleasant, and miserable

While you can of course get bits and pieces of both outcomes, this article will help make your vacation with your dog full of enjoyment, fun, and even relaxing memories! 

I’ve taken my dogs across the country multiple times, to a variety of places, and in a variety of seasons. Hopefully, my experience will make your next vacation with your pup easier, stress-free, and fun for everyone! 

Here is what we’ll cover in this episode

-3 quick tips for stress-free dog vacations

-5 must-pack items 

-Full dog vacation packing list 

Of course, there are SO many other things you may need to pack. These five items are must-haves for me and my pups, and will hopefully help you too!

I would never leave home for a dog vacation without the following items ⬇️

1. Vaccination information and other health documents

2. Hand vacuum

3. Dog shampoo, brush & towels (even if you don’t think you’ll need it)

4. Dog GPS tracker

5. High-value treats

Here is a full dog vacation packing list ⬇️

Long lead

Chuck-it (if your dog loves fetch)

Long-lasting chews

Medications/prescriptions

Paw balm

Paper towels (don’t skip this!)

Enzymatic cleaner

Food bowl

Water bowl (a travel one is great, too)

Food (I always bring enough for at least one extra day)

Bed or blanket

Harness

Leash

Poop bags (LOTS)

Poop bag holder

Health documents

Flea/tick treatment (depending on location)

Up to date ID tags

GPS tracker

Dog first aid kit

Toys and balls for play

Towels

Paper towels

Mud Buster or other paw cleaner

Crate/folding crate

Hand vacuum (especially if your dog sheds)

Dog shampoo

Car safety restraint

Brush

Small training treats

While I may have missed some items (let me know in the comments), this dog vacation packing list will help you be prepared for anything!

Taking dogs on vacation can (and should) be an enjoyable experience! If you implement these tips and pack the must-have items, it will be much more pleasant and less stressful.

Reminder, here are three quick vacation tips.

1. Let your dog acclimate

2. Research dog-friendliness of hotel, restaurants, hikes, etc.

3. Plan for the worst while expecting the best

And of course, these are the five things I won’t leave on a dog vacation without!

1. Vaccination information and other health documents

2. Hand vacuum

3. Dog shampoo, brush & towels (even if you don’t think you’ll need it)

4. Dog GPS tracker

5. High-value treats

What’s your favorite story of taking dogs on vacation? Or your dream dog vacation?

Oh, and don’t forget to check out my favorite dog shampoo bar, Sudsy, here: https://pfrd.site/getsudsy

Please review and subscribe for more podcasts in the future!

Do you regret getting a puppy? Let me tell you first, you are NOT alone!

Raising a puppy (or any age dog) is challenging, sometimes frustrating, and can put a toll on your mental health.

If you have a desire to keep your puppy, which I hope you do, you need to take action today to overcome the feelings of puppy regret!

1- Find Positives

While it may feel like your puppy (and you) are only doing “bad” things, that’s likely not the truth.

Getting hung up on the “bad” (potty accidents, puppy biting, barking, etc.) can lead us to not see the full picture of our pup’s progress.

So, write down some positive things about the situation, your pup’s behavior, and your relationship with your dog!

While positivity isn’t a catch-all answer that can solve everything, it can certainly help! At least that was my experience in the moments that I regretted getting my puppy.

2- Focus on the Basics

Many of the challenges that lead us to regret being a pup parent are due to “problem behaviors” from our puppies.

So, get back to the basics of dog training and behavior.

If you haven’t already, sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup here! https://pfrd.site/classfree-here

Focus on giving less freedom.

Focus on having dedicated training sessions each day.

Focus on giving proper physical and mental exercise.

Focus on keeping destructible items out of your dog’s reach.

The basics of puppy training are often the key to seeing improvements in your pup’s behavior! And often as your pup’s behavior improves, those feelings of regret will decrease in frequency.

3- Find (or Remember) Your Why

When you originally decided to get a puppy, what was your reason?

Was it for the companionship?

Was it to go on fun adventures like hikes, long walks, etc.?

Was it to help a puppy in need?

Whatever your reason, remember it!

And if you don’t have a “why” yet, find one! Having a solid purpose and “goal” for your life with your pup can help you stay at it when times get tough.

4- Get Support

This may be the most important thing to do when you regret getting a puppy. Get support!

Here are some ways you can find support both in the real and digital worlds.

-Join a Facebook group with other pup parents (ours has over 50k members, join here!)

-Seek out someone in your local area who is also currently raising a new puppy

-Go to group training or socialization classes in person to meet new people and professionals who can support you

-Make friends or connect with someone who has raised a lot of pups and can give you sound advice on your journey

-Go to parks and dog meet-ups (Facebook groups are helpful for this) and try to meet other pup parents

-Choose a friend or family member who can be your venting buddy when you just need to talk about the challenges of being a pup parent

Feeling like you’re alone can make pup parenthood more difficult. Find others who can understand your situation and let them be your support system!

5- Cultivate and Focus on a Relationship With Your Puppy

Similar to focusing on the basics, it’s so important to focus on your relationship with your puppy. Oftentimes we forget that the relationship between dog and human takes work!

Here are some things you can do to improve your relationship with your dog.

-Do fun training, especially trick training!

-Play games like fetch or tug

-Give your pup a tasty chew, treat, or frozen Kong

-Snuggle, give your puppy a belly rub, or just pet him/her

-Take them on a walk on a long lead without any specific destination in mind and let them follow their nose

Learning how to break up a dog fight is unfortunately a necessary skill for every pup parent. While I hope you don’t actually have to use this information, you likely will.

In this episode, we’ll break down the ins and outs of dog fights. And while the information can feel startling and somewhat scary, it’s vital to learn what to do if your dog is involved in a fight.

Important note on safety. Any time a dog fight occurs and you try to break it up, there is a high risk of you getting bit or injured. Exercise caution and ideally, work with a local positive-reinforcement-based dog trainer to better understand how to stop a dog fight.

Here is what we will cover:

When dogs start fighting, they get in a “zone” and it can be hard to get them out of it.

One method to stop a dog fight is to use noise, distractions, or something similar to break them out of that “zone”, even if just for a moment to allow you to get your dog and move to safety.

Here are some ways you can break your dog’s attention during a fight 👇

Those are just some ideas, but the principle is to be as loud and distracting as possible to try and break the dogs’ attention. If you can get a 1-2 second pause, you can likely get your dog out of the situation.

Another safe way to break up a dog fight is to get something in between your dogs.

I understand that you likely may not have anything readily available, but in some instances, you can get creative. The idea is to create a physical barrier between the dogs.

Here are some things you could use to get space between two dogs.

Once you have an object in between the dogs you can leash/pull the dog away accordingly and hopefully de-escalate the fight.

Some people disagree with this method, while others swear by it (that’s life, right?). Generally, the “wheelbarrow method” can be a good way to separate fighting dogs.

It requires two people to work in unison, which in a high-intensity situation like a dog fight can be quite difficult. Regardless, here is how it works.

Learning about dog body language can help you avoid dog fights! Take the Dog Body Language Course (taught by Traci Madson CPDT-KA) here: https://pfrd.site/bodylanguage-course

Please leave a review, thanks for listening! 

There is only one time when you shouldn’t be training your puppy… 

When he or she is asleep! 💤

And while that may seem far-fetched or unrealistic, let me explain why this mindset will vastly improve your puppy’s behavior!

With your puppy, you’ll often focus on “training sessions”. Those dedicated blocks of time are invaluable for improving your pup’s behavior. 

But what about outside of those dedicated training sessions

THAT is when real learning often takes place.

Here’s an example.

You’re sitting at your table reading some emails. Your pup walks up to you and barks.

You look down at your pup and say something to him or her. 

While you weren’t in a training session, you just taught your pup that when they bark they can get attention. Is that what you wanted to teach? Not necessarily, but that’s what happened either way!

Or, you hear a knock on the door.

Your pup goes wild with excitement. 

How you respond next is going to teach your dog something (whether you like it or not 😀). You have a couple of options.

Option #1- You open the door, your pup bolts out to greet the person enthusiastically including jumping up on the door knocker.

Option #2- You direct your pup to their bed and give them a top-notch treat or chew. You then wait for them to relax or at least stop barking, and THEN open the door with your dog behind a baby gate (and ideally still on their bed/place).

In both instances, your dog learned something. Let’s break down what was learned.

Option #1 (opening the door) - Your dog learned that when they bark and are acting wildly, doors (literally and figuratively) open up for them. 

The door opened, they got to experience a new and exciting moment with a new human. And I bet your dog loved that, why wouldn’t they? (And why wouldn’t they want to act the same way next time someone knocks on the door?)

They also jumped up on the guest, and likely got either pushed down or interacted with in some way. 

And for your dog, that is enjoyable for them! They jumped up desiring attention and received it. In your dog’s brain, their action created a consequence that they enjoyed!

Meaning, they’ll do it again next time.

Here’s the alternative 👇

Option #2 (using place) - Your dog learned that when someone knocks on the door, good things happened on their bed/place. They start to learn that their place brings about tasty consequences.

Additionally, the door opened only when they were calm (I know, easier said than done but you get the point here). So, they learn that being calm and listening to you is how good things happen (like seeing a new human).

And by having a baby gate keeping them from the person at the door, you never even gave him or her the opportunity to jump up on a guest. Which means they weren’t unintentionally reinforced for jumping (like in Option #1).

Which option do you want for your puppy?!

Whenever you’re with your puppy, you have an opportunity to teach and they have an opportunity to learn.

And just like in our example above, simple choices lead to wildly different results and learning.

So, how can you be more prepared to effectively teach at any moment? Here’s how ⬇️

The best way to make these impromptu moments of learning more effective is to be prepared with the right tools! And that means reinforcers!

While there are many things that can be a reinforcer for your pup, treats are often the most effective!

So I highly recommend keeping treats readily available throughout your home. Of course, out of your dog’s reach! Snag some Pupford Training Treats here!

Please subscribe and review, thanks for listening!

For most of history, humans have regarded dogs as animals with specific jobs.

But in recent history, these animals have become pets only.

Is that to blame for many of the “problems” and “challenges” we face with our dogs?

In this episode, Kim Brophey will help us make sense of why the viewing of our dogs as pets may actually be the root of many “problem behaviors”.

And of course, Kim will break down what you can do today to help your pup be more successful in a human-centric world!

First, let’s define applied ethology👇

What is Applied Ethology?

The ISAE defines applied ethology this way ⬇️

The study of applied animal behavior contributes to a greater understanding of the interactions between humans and other animals and helps to create a better balance between animal welfare and the requirements that humans have of other animals

Applied ethologists work on a wide variety of animal species and topics: e.g. the management and welfare of livestock; the interactions between humans and companion animals; the impacts of housing on the behavior and welfare of zoo and laboratory animals.

Simply put, applied ethology is the study of animal behavior in captivity.

Now, let’s meet Kim!

Meet Kim Brophey: Applied Ethologist and Professional Dog Trainer

Kim Brophey is an applied ethologist and professional dog trainer with decades of experience.

Here are many of Kim’s top accomplishments, credentials, and works.

-Applied Ethologist, member of the International Society for Applied Ethology

-Owner of the awarded Dog Door Behavior Center - www.dogdoorbehaviorcenter.com

-Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) / Certified Member - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

-Board member - Asheville Humane Society

-Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)

-Member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) 

-APDT Outstanding Trainer of the Year 2009

-Author of Meet Your Dog- The Game-Changing Guide to Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (2018)

-TED talk presenter - The Problem With Treating a Dog Like a Pet - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46ND3suK1y8

As you can see, Kim deeply understands dogs and I promise you’ll learn a LOT in this episode!

The Human Role in Dog Breeding & Behavior

For centuries we have bred dogs to perform specific tasks like assisting with hunting, herding, and rodent control. But, in recent years, many of those task-centric jobs have gone away for dogs! 

Of course, those genetics and traits still exist, which can create “problems” (at least in our eyes).

We in a way have, unfortunately, created a “void” in our dogs’ lives. They have an innate desire to, for example, herd livestock. 

But now those same breeds aren’t able to.

And when they showcase some of those related behaviors (chasing other animals, nipping at our heels, etc.) we become frustrated and overwhelmed with their “bad behavior”.

Part of Kim’s hope for us humans is to better understand our dog’s deep-seated behaviors and find enriching experiences for them to express those behaviors in a healthy way.

How Can We Give Dogs Proper Outlets?

One of the best ways to help your dog succeed is to research and understand your dog’s history and “job history”.

If your dog was used to herd, you can try things like Treibball!

For retrievers, focus on using more fetch in your dog’s daily life.

Do you have a terrier? Try creating a dig box for your pup to use every day!

While it may not be a perfect solution, trying to tap into your dog’s natural instincts is a powerful way to improve their mental well-being and behavior.

Please subscribe and leave a review, thanks for listening!

Do the words we use in dog training matter? In this episode, we break down why the distinction of “cue” vs “command” matters and how it can benefit your dog’s behavior!

Terminology in Dog Training

In the early stages of Pupford as a company, we spent lots of time learning from trainers and experts, like Zak George. And one of the things he mentioned was using the word cue and behavior, instead of command.

Since that time, we’ve tried to stick to that at Pupford. Here’s why 👇

We believe that training a dog hinges on communication and relationship building. While there are plenty of techniques, nuances, and tips specific to behaviors, we must foster a healthy relationship with our dogs.

So, let’s define these two opposing words. Cue and command.

Cue: Anything that excites to action: stimulus. 

Command: To require authoritatively; demand.

Do you see the vast difference?!

Are you wanting to demand and require from your dog, or excite them into action? 

And ask yourself, how do you prefer to learn (that’s what your dog is doing btw, learning)?

When we approach dog training with a communicative approach like with the word ‘cue’, it becomes a 2-way street.

Instead of demanding things of our dogs, we give them choices and reward the correct ones. With positive reinforcement.

Quick note. We’re not condoning a lack of structure and consequences for actions for our dogs. Our dogs need feedback and structure.

Another point on cues is that they should be introduced once a behavior is learned and has meaning.

1. Luring, capturing, or shaping correct behaviors

2. Marking and rewarding the behaviors when they occur

3. Once the behavior has been marked and rewarded to where our dog understands, then introducing the cue word

Commands often precede the being learned. Then a consequence or reinforcement is delivered whether it happens or not.

The ‘cue’ mentality is all about understanding and choice, and less about demands.

My Dog Isn’t Responding to Cues, Why?

In most cases, you can break down a lack of follow-through by our dogs into three different reasons.

1. Your dog doesn’t actually understand the cue

2. Distractions are more enticing

3. Not enough reward or upside

Your Dog Doesn’t Actually Understand the Cue

“Buddy come… Buddy come… BUDDY COME!”

Did Buddy hear the word ‘come’? Likely.

But does it mean anything to him? Maybe not.

Again, this is why adding the cue word after your dog understands the behavior can have massive benefits.

So if your pup doesn’t seem to listen, ask yourself if he/she really knows what the words mean! Have there been enough reinforcements when said behavior is accomplished?

Distractions Are More Enticing

In other situations, your dog may understand the cue word but is overwhelmed by distraction. That distraction can come in many forms. Squirrels, other dogs, a car, food on the ground, the list goes on.

In this instance, distractions need to be lowered and training needs to continue. Then, layer by layer you can add more distractions to the behavior. 

Not Enough Upside & Rewards

Our dogs care about what’s being offered as a reward as well.

So, choose high-value treats. You can also use fetch, tug, affection, and even verbal praise as reinforcers. 

The key is to find what works best for YOUR dog. What do they care about?

If you're ready to improve communication and behavior, check out Pupford Academy today!

Also, please leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

A couple of the most challenging experiences as a pup parent can be finding a good vet and finding dog-friendly places in your area!

In this episode, we sat down with Jamie Ruden from Dog Spotted. We discussed ways to make this process easier, and even a new tool she released to help with this issue!

QUICK TABLE OF CONTENTS

-What makes it so hard to find a good vet?

-How can you make finding a good vet easier?

-What makes it so hard to find dog-friendly places

-How can you find dog-friendly places easier?

WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD TO FIND A GOOD VET?

When I first moved to New York City, my wife and I collectively spent more than a few hours in the search for our new vet. We scoured Google reviews, Yelp reviews, and even Reddit threads.

We finally landed on a vet through a recommendation from a friend. 

Turned out, that vet did NOT work out for us and our dogs (even though it does for our friend).

And, we were back to square one. More searches, more reviews, more phone calls, etc. 

After a couple more rounds of trial and error, we finally landed on a vet we liked… But it was such a process!

Finding a good vet can be a serious challenge, no matter where you live! Plus, if you need a very specific type of vet or specialty, that process becomes even more complicated.

HOW CAN YOU FIND A GOOD VET?

While finding a good vet isn’t always easy, there are some things you can do to make that process a bit simpler.

-Asking for recommendations at dog parks, meetups, etc. Local people often are going to have ideas for you and can speak from their own experiences.

-Verifying credentials of vets

-Scanning their website for the specific types of specialty your pup may need

And if you’re in the NYC area, be sure to check out Dog Spotted! You can now search for vets by specialty type, procedures provided, whether they do in-house visits, and so much more!

WHAT MAKES IT SO HARD TO FIND DOG-FRIENDLY PLACES?

While we all dream of taking our pups with us everywhere we go, that dream can be difficult to make a reality.

Trying to find dog-friendly places can be a real challenge. Especially when very few restaurants and stores explicitly say it on their websites or map listings!

Plus, even if you find out that a place is dog-friendly, it can still be hard to know if they offer dog treats, areas specifically for dogs, etc.

HOW CAN YOU FIND DOG-FRIENDLY PLACES?

Finding dog-friendly places isn’t always easy, but there are some tips to help simplify your life!

-Check out the restaurant/places photos on Instagram or in map listings to see if there are any dogs

-Ask around at local dog meetups, dog parks, etc as to where people in your area have taken their dogs

-Call ahead to your destination and ask directly or message them on social media

If you’re in the NYC area, be sure to check out Dog Spotted! You can now search for dog-friendly places and filter by activity type, if they provide snacks for dogs, and so much more!

PLEASE leave a review on Apple Podcasts and follow on your favorite podcast platform!