The Perfect Pup

Walking two dogs can be a serious challenge. I've been walking 3 dogs (currently 2, RIP Buddy) for the past 4 years and I've learned a trick or two to make walking 2 dogs much simpler and honestly, more fun

Of course, you've got to be patient. Patience, time, and consistency are vital to successfully walking two dogs at the same time. (Also, these tips are still helpful if you only have one dog!)

1. Train Individually

This isn't negotiable. You MUST train your dogs separately before you practice training them together.

Walking 2 un-trained dogs will lead to tangling, frustration, and not enjoyable walks.

Our dogs need that 1-to-1 focus, so put in the extra time and train each dog individually!

2. Use the Right Gear

Like any effort in life, having the right gear does make a difference. I've tried way too many harnesses and leashes and finally found which ones work best. 

A double-leash with a waistband is vital. Once you're ready to walk both dogs together, having a double leash will make your life much easier.

And the waistband may seem awkward at first, but it helps tremendously.

This is the one I use: https://amzn.to/2SQk5yb

And I ALWAYS use the Freedom No-Pull Harness with all of my dogs. Every single walk.

Here is a link to try it out (measure twice, buy once): https://pfrd.site/harnesss

3. Reward Positive Moments

This is the most underrated leash walking tip... reward the good moments. I know it sounds overly simple, but I see people constantly only worrying about the "bad" moments and never rewarding the "good" moments out on walks.

You can't just constantly tell your dog what NOT to do... That's only one side of the equation.

When your dog gives you eye contact, mark and reward.

When your dog is by your side, mark and reward.

When your dog does NOT react to a dog, bike, skateboard, etc., mark and reward.

Reward ALL of the positive moments.

Again, practice patience and be consistent!

What else has helped you when walking two dogs? 

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/app-leashwalking

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Check out all podcast episodes here: https://pfrd.site/podcast

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Fourth of July is almost here… you know what that means, BBQs, parades, time with family and friends, and you guessed it… FIREWORKS. (eek)

While we may be mesmerized by the bright lights that light up the night sky, our dogs might not share our same affinity to them. 

From July 4th - 6th, we see a 30 - 60 % increase in missing dogs around the country. 

So what can we do to keep our dogs safe around fireworks this fourth of July? Let’s dive right on in.

Desensitize Your Dog to the Sound of Fireworks

It’s important to train and gather the tools you need NOW to help your dog be more comfortable when they arrive.

The first thing we recommend is working on desensitizing your dog to the sound of fireworks. 

Here is how you can introduce them to your pup:

Other things that you can do now include:

Now that we have talked about things to do leading up to fireworks, it’s time to talk about things to do DAY OF. 

On the actual day of the 4th, make sure you have a plan to set your pup up for success.

Wake up earlier than normal and take your pup on a long hike, run, fetch session or any other type of physical exercise.

And when the weather starts to heat up, have some indoor games ready that you can play with your dog like

Now the last thing that is crucial to remember, is that… 

Fireworks are dangerous! But your dog won’t know that until it’s too late. So keep your dog in your home, as far away from fireworks as possible! 

Set up a spot where your pup can feel safe, for many dogs, their safe spot is their crate or kennel. 

For other dogs, it can be your human bed, a specific room with comfy blankets, or even the couch.

In their safe space, you can do one or as many of these things as you like:

Keeping your pup safe on the 4th of July is a high priority!

By employing these tips, you'll keep your pup not only safe but confident and prepared for what the 4th brings.

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/soundsapp-free

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

If your Instagram feed is full of cute puppies and you are thinking about becoming a dog parent, you MUST understand these 3 things first… 

If you don’t understand these things, you may end up regretting getting a dog! 

These are the 3 things I wish I knew before getting a dog!

#1- Dogs are expensive

#2- Dogs take a lot of time

#3- You will form an amazing bond with your dog

Dogs can be challenging, but the relationship you can cultivate makes all those hard moments worth it!

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/freeeapp

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Sorry to come at you like that, but I'm nearly certain you aren't using your dog's nose to its full advantage. It is likely your dog's strongest scent, yet as humans, we rarely use it to its full advantage and even sometimes discourage sniffing...

Our dogs understand the world around them through their nose. They can't speak to us and they sure can't read, so instead, they use their noses.

A dog's nose is said to be over 1,000 times stronger than the human nose. That's why there are drug-sniffing dogs and not drug-sniffing humans.

So instead of being bothered by your dog sniffing on a walk, here is what you can do.

First, try going on sniff walks. Don't pick a destination, just let your dog lead the way with their nose. This freedom and exploration will work wonders for your dog's mind!

Second, incorporate enrichment that uses their nose. That can be snuffle mats, foraging boxes, hide and seek, and so much more!

The main thing to remember is your dog's sense of smell should be encouraged! Let them explore, let them find new smells, let them explore on walks, let them be a dog!!

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford App here: https://pfrd.site/iapp-free

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Summer means hot days, and those hot days can pose specific challenges to you and your dog!

Bringing plenty of water, avoiding exercise during peak heat hours, and giving frozen treats are great ways to help keep your dog safe ☀️

Here are helpful links to articles referenced in the video!

How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors: https://pfrd.site/indoorexercises

How to Keep Dogs Cool: https://pfrd.site/staycool

Summer Dog Tips & Popsicle Recipes: https://pfrd.site/summertips

BBQ Foods Dogs Can and Cannot Eat: https://pfrd.site/bbq-safety

Don't forget to snag up to 50% off summer gear, treats, and training (deals end soon)! Shop here: https://pfrd.site/50-offsummer

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Your dog will be exposed to many new sounds/experiences that may cause them fear or shyness. Think construction sites, horses, vacuums, etc.!

Desensitization is the simple act of changing that stimulus from something that causes fear, to something that has a positive association.

Desensitizing your dog or puppy to sounds before they happen in 'real life' will help your dog's confidence and help avoid fear in their life.

The best way to learn how to desensitize your dog is by watching the video. Here is a quick overview ⤵️

Step 1- Play a sound at a low volume.

Step 2- As you play the sound, give your dog a treat.

Step 3- Slowly repeat steps 1-2 until you can reach full volume. If your dog gets nervous/scared at any point, lower the volume and try again.

Remember, this process can take weeks to months depending on your dog's history, fear level, and what the trigger might be... so be patient!

Be sure to download the Pupford App to access all of the sounds: https://pfrd.site/app-sounds

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for watching 🐾

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Every relationship in your life is a bit of a balancing act... whether it's your spouse, best friend, or even your dog, there is always work to be done to keep the relationship healthy!

When it comes to our dogs, we often do a LOT of asking. We ask our pups to wait for their food, not jump on guests, not pull on leash, not bark, etc., etc. and all that 'asking' can add up quickly. So the question quickly becomes... are we balancing back the scales of our relationship with our dogs?

Are we finding ways to let them just be... dogs? You know, exploring, running off leash, barking, etc.

It's so important to do things every day to just improve your relationship with your dog. Don't focus on behavior, training, or anything... Just spend some time with your dog, letting them be a dog!

This simple mindset can really help improve your bond and therefore your communication with your dog!

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/dogapp-freee

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Moving with dogs can be an extremely stressful experience! I just moved from Utah to NYC with 3 dogs, and there were some parts that were truly difficult...

In this episode, I'll break down tips for before the move, during the move, and of course, settling into your new place.

Keep your eyes peeled on our YouTube channel for the full video as well!

Happy moving!

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/downloadnow

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Adventure Pups deals up to 25% off here (ends May 7): https://pfrd.site/pups-adventure

Who’s ready for some summer adventures and hiking with your dog? As the days get warmer and longer you know the first thing we are thinking about is getting out of the house and into nature!

And that's why we're giving you essential dog hiking tips to keep your pup happy and safe.

Here are some important, helpful, and essential tips for bringing along your favorite four-legged friends on your explorations. Don't forget your camera!

PS- If you're looking for fun hikes in your area, AllTrails is a great resource. They even have an app!

Check out the full blog here: https://pfrd.site/hiking-dogs

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/getapp-noww

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may

Searching for the right dog trainer can sometimes feel impossible! There are so many different certifications... different methods... different titles... different names for training styles... the list goes on! So, how can you decide confidently?

Of course, when choosing a dog trainer you should check out their experience and credentials. But, on top of that, I have two things you can do to help make a better decision about who will help train your dog!

#1- Ask for their understanding of LIMA and if they practice that methodology

#2- Be forthright and ask if they use punishments or aversive if you're on the fence about a trainer

Those 2 things are simple, but they can truly help you make a more informed decision about who to have help train your pup.

Learn more about LIMA here: https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/

Check out Pupford Academy for a deeper dive into the Four Quadrants of Dog Training & LIMA (new video releases soon): https://pfrd.site/acad3my-access

Please review and subscribe!! Thanks for listening 🐾

Download the free Pupford app here: https://pfrd.site/qapp-free

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://pfrd.site/subscribe-youtube

Check out all podcast episodes here: anchor.fm/perfect-pup

Intro music cred to Kevin May: https://soundcloud.com/kevin_may