How to Teach a Dog the Finish Command
Training
Why Won’t My Dog Listen to Me?
Why Won’t My Dog Listen to Me?
Running with your Dog
Running with your dog can be a great way to stay active and bond with your furry companion. Whether you’re an experienced runner or just starting out, there are a few things you should keep in mind before hitting the pavement with your pup.
Jealousy in Dogs
“Oh, he gets jealous!” is a phrase we’ve probably all heard as we’re petting a dog and the other one squeezes its way in for pets and attention. What we perceive as jealousy in dogs isn’t necessarily how dogs perceive it. A dog who squeezes its way in for attention is asserting dominance on the other dog and often on the person giving the attention. While we may think it’s… Read More
Dogs with Different Abilities
“Look, that dog only has three legs!” Just another common phrase I hear about every time I take my dog out for a walk. Yes, my dog has three legs. Yes, he loves going for walks. But, he doesn’t know or act like he’s different. He loves going for his daily walk and running around like the others. Whether a dog was born with a different ability, or they develop… Read More
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is a great game to play with your pup. Not only is it fun for both of you, but it is great exercise and gives your pup a lot of mental stimulation. Hide and seek requires your dog to use their brain in a way that they don’t often do. They have to think critically and also learn to use their nose. This helps tire them out… Read More
Daily Walks
If you have been reading these training articles, you have assuredly seen a theme of exercising with your pup. After all, nothing says ‘responsible dog owner’ as much as going for the obligatory daily walk. Not only are daily walks needed, but they are fun! We encourage all dog owners to walk their dogs each day, starting from a young age. Going on a walk is good exercise, it helps… Read More
Proofing Dog Obedience, it’s not just for baking!
Have you heard of proofing dog obedience training commands? 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 your training process. Proofing your dog’s behavior is simply… Read More
Beyond the Food Bowl
On a scale of 1-10, how excited does your dog get when it comes to feeding time? 11? That sounds about right. You pull the lid off of the food container to the wafting smell of Salmon and brown rice…or some other delicious ingredients. Your pup looks up at you with eyes that say It’s about time, I can’t even remember my last meal! As the kibble dings the stainless… Read More
Using Nosework to Help Solve Behavioral Issues in Dogs
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
The Science and Art of Dog Training
When I was an up and coming dog trainer, the psychology of training animals absolutely fascinated me. We are two different species yet we need to communicate on a daily basis! How do we get there if we don’t speak the same language? By touch? By food? There were so many questions and an overwhelming amount of information to be found. I’d spend hours researching and reading theory. In this… Read More
Chicago Dog Trainer Explaining How Dogs Should Behave Around Food with Suburban K9!
Training dogs how to behave around food. A well trained dog should not only listen to commands, but should be well behaved even if a command has not been issued. In this video, we show how a dog should act while an owner is cooking dinner. You can see the dog is able to leave the meat alone even when the trainer drops it on the floor and leaves the… Read More
Advancing Your Obedience Commands with Suburban K9!
Once you have taught your dog the basic commands it is important to continue and challenge your dog’s mind. This will help ensure that your dog is well behaved in a vast array of situations. The good news is that you don’t need to spend hours and hours trying to think of situations to set up. You can simply train as you are performing tasks in your everyday life…. Read More
Training a Deaf Dog
Are You Training a Deaf Dog? Setting the Scene 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! Could you be training a deaf dog? The effects of deafness can be seen as… Read More
Choosing a Training Methodology
Choosing a method of dog training is extremely important. If you chose a method compatible with your worldview you are more likely to follow through and put in a lot of enjoyable hours training your dog. If you train your dog consistently you will both have a much better life! Much like our article on the science of dog training, this is a topic that could garner a large amount… Read More
Tired vs. Calm Dogs
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
Which training route is right for your dog?
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
Obedience – It’s a Job
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
Importance of Daily Work with your Dog
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… Read More
Teach a Dog to Heel
What is Teaching a Dog to Heel? 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… Read More