Anyone out there that has baked bread has heard of proofing your dough. It is the final step of allowing the shaped dough to rise before baking. Proofing is also a term that is used in dog training and much like in baking, proofing is one of the final steps before completing the training process. Proofing your dog’s behavior is simply a fancy way of saying that you are teaching… Read More
For any true dog lover, spending a day surrounded by dogs can leave them with a feeling of immense fulfillment. As a company, Suburban K9 has dedicated a large amount of time to working with dogs that are up for adoption as well as dogs that have already been rescued. We have seen amazing progress working with dogs that have severe issues and wouldn’t normally be able to be adopted… Read More
Lets face it, most people have busy, hectic lives filled with work, cooking, cleaning and a thousand other tasks. The average dog on the other hand does not have a “job” to keep them busy and is often bored. Some dogs handle this boredom well, but others develop anxiety or other behavioral issues. For millennia, we’ve bred dogs for utility; herding livestock, pulling sleds, hunting, and many other useful activities…. Read More
You’ve just gotten your new puppy and you notice that he isn’t responding to his name. You started off joking that your dog can’t hear and that’s why he isn’t listening. As time moves on you begin to believe that he really can’t hear you! The first thing to do would be to determine if there actually is a hearing issue. Unfortunately we can’t simply ask the dog if they can hear us…. Read More
A tired dog is a good dog, right? Most people would definitely agree with this common phrase. Although it may sound strange, I disagree. I am often told that no matter how much love, attention, and exercise a new client is giving their dogs, they never seem to settle down. A concept I try to convey to people is that they are not looking for just a tired dog but… Read More
Picking a training route for your dog should be based on three variables; Your budget, your goals and your schedule. There are many different training options available with Suburban K9, but most of our clients are best served by either classes, in home training, or doggie boot camp. Obedience Classes Obedience classes are generally the least expensive dog training option. The cost of the trainer’s time is spread out over multiple clients. This… Read More
A common theme that you will hear in the world of dog training is that dogs need a job. Dogs are intelligent creatures and just like humans, they require purpose and direction in their life to feel truly fulfilled. Almost all of a dog’s bad behaviors stem from boredom and not having enough mental stimulation. If you were stuck in the house all day without anything to do, you would… Read More
Why does anyone get a dog? The answer to that has changed drastically over the course of history. Most of us have seen a major change in what dog ownership looks like during our lifetime. It wasn’t long ago that dogs would spend most if not all of their time outside, even sleeping outside. They would keep the yard safe from threats, such as the mailman, other dogs, but most… Read More
Have you ever wondered what you can do to wear your dog out? There are many different training methods you can use to achieve this. All of which are great ways for you to not only exercise your dog’s body but their brain as well. You can start with the basics by simply walking with your dog in heel or performing obedience, whether it is outside on a trail or… Read More
To teach a dog to heel you first must know exactly what you want the dog to do. When heeling the dog should be even with your heel and focused mainly on you or the road ahead. The main reason for teaching a dog to heel is not just to stop him from pulling on leash. The main reason that I train a dog to heel properly is to be… Read More
In home dog training provides both owner and dog with many benefits that are commonly overlooked. At first blush the prospect of having a dog trainer come to your home for a personalized training session may seem like an expensive option reserved only for the wealthy. The truth is that in home dog training can be both the most cost effective and productive training that you can provide for either a… Read More
Training dogs with treats is a polarizing topic in the dog training world. Some trainers say that it is awful and others will tell you that if you don’t train with treats then you must be cruel. The truth about treat training a dog is that there is a time and place for it. The two main times that I will use food rewards to train a dog are when… Read More
Many people get dogs both for the love that they give us and because they are such natural guardians of their home and family. I love all dogs, but I tend to gravitate towards the guarding breeds for those very reasons. I enjoy having a dog that is great with children, friendly towards all adults, but will also guard my family if needed. Unfortunately many people have issues with their… Read More
Leash aggression is one of the most common issues that we deal with as trainers. Unfortunately, a dog with leash aggression is severely limited in their ability to enjoy life to the fullest. Can you imagine going through life with the stress of wanting to lunge and bark at every member of your species that you pass? With a little training and patience you and your dog can have a… Read More
Heel Heel is the dogs command for walk at your heel side, which is on your left. The dog should be at your heel or even a little behind you as you walk to reinforce that YOU are the leader. We strive to keep the dogs attention on us or the road ahead. As you walk focus on keeping a loose leash and correcting the dog whichever way you need… Read More