Kenneling/Crate Training Your Puppy I will save you the suspense. We are 100% in favor of kenneling all puppies when they are unattended. A puppy generally does not have enough impulse control to resist chewing things they shouldn’t and this can lead to big trouble! Many puppies consume things such as medicine, carpet and clothing when they are left unattended and this leads to a lot of unnecessary surgeries and… Read More
Why Won’t My Dog Listen to Me?
What is it? Genetics is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. More simply put, the study of how certain traits are passed from parent to offspring. Why does it matter for dogs? Dogs are members of our families! Their health, temperament, behavioral issues, breeding standards, and more can all be explained by their genetics. A lot of diseases in dogs are passed down through their genes…. Read More
“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
You love your dog and would probably do anything to keep him safe! In order to give your dog the best life possible, it is crucial to find a way to keep him contained in your yard and out of undesirable locations. Luckily, depending on your specific situation there are many great ways that you can do this. Options include a physical fence, an electronic fence, and boundary training. Each… Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
Clients often ask for our assistance in teaching their dogs various games in order to provide mental stimulation. This is especially needed in the cold Midwest winters! Many dogs need an outlet above and beyond play time or train time, and nose work is a great option. After a long session using their nose, your dog will be much more tired than after walking or practicing their obedience for a… Read More
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 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
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
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
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
I have posted this in order to answer some common concerns I hear from dog owners, this is by no means a complete list of how to live with your dog. Every piece of advice that you read or hear can be construed in many different ways. Unfortunately many dog owners are confused or misled about how much love they can give a dog, or when is the proper time…. Read More