As dog owners, we all love taking our furry companions for walks, but sometimes it can become a stressful experience due to leash reactivity. This behavior can be seen in dogs who become aggressive or anxious when they see other dogs, people, or even cars while on a leash. But fear not, with the right training and techniques, leash reactivity can be transformed into leash obedience. Lupa K9 specializes in helping dogs and their owners overcome leash reactivity and create a more enjoyable walking experience.

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Training your dog is a crucial aspect of ensuring they grow into a well-behaved, happy, and socialized pet. One of the most common questions new dog owners ask is: What age is best to start dog training? The answer is pretty straightforward… the second you meet your dog, training begins. Everything you do your dog is observing, absorbing and learning, so the time is now! Here is an abbreviated rough idea as far as what and when to train dogs during different times in their development:

Puppyhood: The Foundation Stage (8-16 Weeks)

• When to Start: As early as 8 weeks old.
• Focus: Socialization, basic commands, house training.

Starting training during the early weeks of a puppy's life is crucial. Puppies are like sponges at this age, absorbing everything around them. The period between 8 to 16 weeks is often referred to as the critical socialization period.

• Socialization: Expose your puppy to a variety of people, environments, sounds, textures, etc. to build their confidence and reduce fearfulness.
• Basic Commands: This is the time to establish leadership and basic manners as well as how to listen to you, follow you, set boundaries, etc. You can also begin to teach simple commands like sit, stay, come, and learn their name.
• House Training: Begin potty training and establish a routine to prevent accidents in the house.

CONSISTENCY! I would say this applies to pretty much everything in life when you are looking for sustainable results and change. In dog training, consistency involves maintaining the same commands, expectations, and responses every time you interact with your dog. This helps your dog understand what is expected of them and reinforces positive and negative consequences to their behavior. Consistent training creates a clear and predictable environment for the dog, which is crucial for effective learning and behavioral conditioning. If you are ever wondering why your dog isn’t catching on or your dogs behavior feels unpredictable, it likely has to do with how consistent you are with your communication, boundaries, training, follow through etc. The only way to set you and your dog up for success is consistency in how you train and communicate with your dog.

When it comes to ensuring a happy and healthy relationship with your furry friend, choosing the right dog trainer is crucial. With a myriad of options available, finding the perfect fit for your dog's training needs can be overwhelming. At Lupa K9 Dog Training, we understand the significance of in-home dog training and the impact it can have on strengthening the bond between you and your canine companion.

This might sound counterintuitive at first, but there is good reason why it's a good idea to hold off on letting your pup greet other dogs and people during walks at a young age. Grab a puppuccino and let's dive into this unconventional piece of advice.

We all know that socialization is crucial for our dogs, but there's a time and a place for everything. And on-leash greetings during walks? Not the ideal situation. Here’s why:

1. Focus.

When your dog is young, walks are the perfect opportunity to teach them leash manners, focus, and impulse control. If you let them meet every dog and human they come across during their walks, they'll start expecting it, and their excitement levels will go through the roof. The result? A dog that's more interested in the next potential playmate than in learning how to walk nicely on a leash.

2. Boundaries.

By allowing on-leash greetings, you're inadvertently teaching your pup that there are no boundaries when it comes to interacting with other dogs and people. This can lead to a dog that's overly friendly (and we're talking "jumping-on-strangers" friendly) or one that develops leash reactivity. Not the kind of energy we want our dogs to develop when he sees a person or dog or something he wants to investigate.

I heard a quote that said “ to be a tourist is to see, to be a traveler is to experience.” I feel like this applies in EVERY corner of our lives, not just to traveling. This picture is from my trip to Death Valley this past weekend . It was truly a magical place sprinkled with pastel colored mountains from mineral deposits. I felt like I was walking through mountains of painted Easter eggs! This picture doesn’t do it justice whatsoever . The further you walked through this canyon the more colors were revealed and the more you felt like a true visitor on this earth given a chance to see something only Mother Nature can pull out of her magic hat. You can go through life and see a lot of things but if you let yourself experience what you see and how you see, your life will be much richer and you will remember moments more vividly and attach feelings and meaning to them. Be present . How does this apply to dog training? If you are rushing through training your dog only to see the final results of your efforts you’re missing the point. Joy isn’t found in finishing an activity it’s found in doing it. Take your time with your dog. Enjoy experiencing your dog’s responses to the things you do and how he is learning. The nuances of training can feel mundane and repetitive but they aren’t like that for your dog. Your dog is engaged with you and is working hard to connect with you and learn what you’re teaching. Don’t rush just to see the final result. Take your time to experience all of it and your relationship will be richer because of it. This picture probably has no meaning to you and it probably doesn’t evoke any feelings for you… but it does for me :)

When it comes to training your dog you can’t outsource everything. It's tempting to just hand over the leash to a professional but its not always that straight forward and you may not see the results you want if you aren’t changing how you live and engage with your dog once he is home.

When it comes to effective sustainable dog training, the most important factor is the relationship YOU have with your dog. When you work with your dog, you're not just teaching them commands - you're building a relationship of trust and respect and creating a common language you build together. You're showing them that you're a reliable consistent leader who they can depend on. This is a huge piece that is often missed when owners reach out for help. If you disguise relationship work with teaching commands you’re missing the point and you and your dog will be left more confused.

Now, don't get me wrong - there's nothing wrong with getting some help from a professional trainer or doing a board and train. In fact, it can be incredibly valuable to send your dog to a trainer who can create a solid foundation and help teach you the skills to maintain it. But the key is to remember that you're the one who ultimately has the most influence over your dog's behavior. You're the one who spends the most time with them day in and day out, who knows their personality and quirks inside and out. And that's what makes your relationship with them so special and powerful. You can only outsource some of the work but not the nitty gritty day to day stuff once training is “over”. The skills you learn from your trainer should be a daily practice.

Hey dog lovers! If you're a proud dog parent, you know that training your furry friend is no walk in the park (pun intended). It takes time, patience, and, most importantly, consistency. But wait, there's more to the recipe for success - it's also crucial for all the humans involved in your dog's life to be on the same page. So, let's dive into why consistency and unity are the ultimate keys to unlocking your dog's training potential.

First off, why is consistency so important? Well, imagine trying to learn a new skill or language, but the rules keep changing every other day. Sounds frustrating, right? That's exactly how your dog feels when there's no consistency in their training. Our canine companions thrive on routine and predictability. When they know what to expect, they're more likely to understand and remember the commands you're teaching them.

Consistency in dog training means sticking to the same cues, rewards, and consequences every time. For example, if you're teaching your dog to sit, always use the same command word, hand signal, and reward. Mixing it up will only lead to confusion and slow down your dog's progress.

Now that we've covered consistency, let's talk about the second ingredient: unity. If you live with family members or have roommates, it's crucial that everyone involved in your dog's life is on the same page when it comes to training. You might be thinking, "Why does it matter if my partner or roommate is using a different command or method?" The answer is simple: it matters a lot!

POV: Your dog peed on you…in your bed…while you were sleeping (true client story).

Now, let’s talk about the magical world of crate training!! (cue glitter bomb). You too can get a good (dry) night sleep and peace of mind when you leave the house with the use of a crate. Here’s how…

Why I recommend crates:

- Crates create a safe place for your dog ( and you for that matter) to unwind and it creates a calmer state of mind by having a structured place for your dog to decompress and settle in to a calmer state of mind.

- Helps prevent anxious, bored, puppy behaviors like chewing on all of your beautiful things and/or potty accidents in unwanted place…like your face.

- Helps prevent unwanted behaviors when you are away, or at home, such as barking at the mailman through the mail slot, staring out the window and barking at Peggy and Pickles walking down the street, etc. Crates give your dog a calm place to relax and rest instead of engaging in self rewarding behaviors like protecting the house.

- Helps with potty training! Dogs don’t like to poop and pee where they sleep. With proper crate conditioning this can be a HUGE help with potty training. You don’t need to find a little present on your floor everyday if you don’t want to ;)

I’m sure you’ve heard that if you practice anything for 14 days it becomes a habit. I can’t speak to 14 as the magic number BUT if you practice something long enough, it will eventually become a habit if you put in the work and take the time to make it happen.

As the days pass and we continue to adjust to a “new normal”, it seems that we may be here for a while. Many have had the privilege to work from home, others may have lost their jobs, and others may be learning how to teach their children through their schoolwork. Everyone is adjusting and it can be challenging. However, despite how difficult it may be for some, there are ways to manage this shift in a healthy way by staying present and grounded- whatever that looks like for you. It could be calling loved ones everyday to check in, cooking healthy meals when you never used to cook for yourself, spending more quality time with your significant other or roommate since you don’t have to commute everyday, picking up a new hobby, and/or being able to take your dog for a longer walk.

As a dog trainer (and previous mental health professional), staying active mentally and physically is crucial for your overall mental health and your dogs mental health, especially in times like these. We have to find comfort in the total discomfort of the unknown right now, stay grounded, and be together even through physical isolation. Social distancing doesn’t mean isolating yourself socially and disconnecting. Connection with yourself and/or others, feeds your mental health so please stay visible (from 6 ft away ;)) we will get through this together!

As a dog owner, you probably know all too well how excitable and energetic dogs can be. They’re naturally a little “rough around the edges,” and that’s one thing we love about them! Unfortunately, that also means that it can be difficult to distinguish between aggressive and playful behavior. Whether your dog is playing with another canine companion, or zealously reacting to a new houseguest, the line between fun and aggression is often pretty blurred. If misread, it can lead to tragic accidents.

Aggressive behavior training is one of the services I focus on most at Lupa K9. It’s important to be able to recognize dangerous behaviors, and productively train your dog to move away from them in healthy ways. Not sure how to identify aggression? Here are some telltale signs — be sure to call Lupa K9 today if you see any of them in your dog!

The single hardest piece of dog training is not the mechanics of obedience, it’s developing the relationship and finding the courage to put our own emotional thoughts and needs aside to do what is best for our dogs. I totally understand why owners get stuck into thinking their dog thrives best with the kind of love that offers freedom, a pampered lifestyle, and tons of physical affection; I’ve fallen victim to that mentality too because it feels good to dish out that kind of love. However, the not-so-fun stuff like structure, leadership, trust, clear communication, and accountability which, yes, sometimes involves giving consequences for undesirable behaviors, is also love — maybe the most important kind of love. Without balance we are not serving the whole dog.

Off-leash, calm, and in an open field?! Finn used to be a runner. How did we get here? Leadership. People always ask, “Well, what does that really mean? What does that look like?” It means being a calm, steadfast, consistent, confident and clear supporter for your dog in every area of his life. It means teaching him how to physically and mentally be still in any environment and to look to you for guidance. It means providing the kind of love that teaches your dog how to be comfortable and unconcerned about the world by clearly communicating what behaviors and responses are acceptable and what behaviors and responses are not. It means loving him by rewarding when he’s doing well and correcting him when he makes a mistake. Being fair, being relevant, being someone he respects and wants to listen to because you know his boundaries and limitations and will advocate to keep him safe but challenge him to trust you in situations that stretch his comfort zone.

This is why just focusing on sit, down, stay and come are not enough. Finn can do all of those things but he wouldn’t be able to settle his mind if I didn’t put in the work to form a solid relationship and work on his state of mind- he needs to trust me enough to defer to me before he acts, not because he is forced to, but because it is in his best interest to do so.

There is a reason why professional dog training services such as Lupa K9 exist — dog training can be an art, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, there are actually a lot of mistakes that can be made. While I make my living training dogs in the San Diego area, one of the secondary goals of my training sessions is to help owners learn how to train dogs themselves, so that the dog can have a lifetime of good training and responsible stewardship.

There are a lot of dog training mistakes that are easy to make if you’re not experienced. Here are some of them — make sure you avoid these behaviors, whether you’re handling a young puppy or a mature adult dog!

One mistake that a lot of dog owners make is focusing on specific tasks and actions when they’re training their dog. Yes, you can train your dog to do extremely specific tasks, but ultimately, it’s easiest to train a dog when they feel naturally submissive towards you, and when they respect you as their de-facto leader.

It’s like the old adage: “Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Give a man a fishing rod, he eats for the rest of his life.” In other words, by establishing a fundamental hierarchy between you and your dog which he naturally respects, it becomes inherently easier to train your dog, and they will better understand the context of why they’re being trained, causing behaviors to stick better. This is often referred to as “functional obedience.”

Here are some tips on how to be your dog’s pack leader:

• Be Calm, Confident, and Steady: Dogs have a near-supernatural ability to detect anxious energy. If you’re feeling nervous, anxious, or flustered, you can bet that your dog probably knows. And if you haven’t established yourself as their leader, it may cause them to see you as weak. That’s not to say they won’t love you! But you may be opening up a window for them to believe that they’re the alpha dog of the house. Always be calm, assertive, and steady with your dogs. Even if they don’t like it sometimes, they will respect it.

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Despite the great love we have for our dogs and puppies, it’s no secret that many dog owners are absolutely mystified by the prospect of dog training. They often don’t know how their dog thinks, or how they react to your disciplinary measures.

At Lupa K9, I take a holistic approach to training dogs which carefully balances rewards and corrections. One thing that helps people to understand the right balance is considering the behavior of children, or humans in general. Let’s look at how dog behavior mimics human behavior!

We all like to have our things. The love for material possessions is one of humanity’s defining traits, so is it too crazy to assume that dogs feel the same way?

Indeed, there are many dogs who become protective and territorial in regards to material things that they form attachments to. This is known as “ resource guarding ,” and while it’s sometimes harmless, it can have negative consequences in certain situations. In this blog post, we’ll discuss resource guarding, the problems that it causes, and some starting points on how to prevent it!

Dogs are impulsive and opportunistic creatures. When they have an impulse, they act on it. So what do we do when we need to call our dog back to our side if they run away, when we need to get their attention if they pull on the leash to pick a fight with another dog, or pick up something dangerous off the ground? How do we get our dog to pay attention to us and ask for permission before acting? Leadership, communication and training.

The temptation to buy a new puppy or dog is an irresistible siren song that often leads to an impulse buy and could lead to buyers remorse IF you aren’t prepared. Although super cute and fulfilling, dogs (puppies in particular) require an enormous amount of care and attention. If you see a puppy in the window go through this checklist before you stare too deeply into their eyes:

Is it me or is everyone pregnant and having babies right now?! Congrats to all the new and expecting parents out there! If you’re about to bring a new baby home and you have a dog, I’m sure you’ve thought, “Oh man, how is this going to go? How do I introduce my dog to the baby and my baby to the dog?” There are so many videos of kiddos climbing all over their dog’s face, pulling their tails, and so on, and while some dogs have the temperament to tolerate it, I wouldn’t recommend it. Below is a link to a great article on how to prepare your dog for the new little person that is about to come home! If your dog has severe behavior issues and you aren’t sure how to navigate the new family dynamic with a little one, PLEASE reach out to me or another dog trainer in the area to ensure everyone is safe and feeling comfortable, and that you have a dog training plan in place! I’m here to help.

http://www.akc.org/content/dog-training/articles/how-to-introduce-babies-and-dogs/

What could possibly be unsavory about dog training?! It’s fun to spend time with our dogs, teach them new commands and reward them for doing well but what happens when they misbehave, bite someone, pull on the leash, or eat food off the table? With all the dog training methods out there, the one that gets the most mention is positive reinforcement… BUT (yes, but) methods based solely on rewarding good behavior, don’t address how to stop bad behavior and really, positive–only methods just make the owner feel good at the dog’s expense because we don’t have to say “no”. Ouch! Sorry to be so brutal, it’s a hard pill to swallow I know, but your dog cannot get by on praise alone, on food alone, or on saying “yes” alone. The unsavory side of training is correcting the behaviors you don’t want, which no one wants to do, but the sweet side is getting the dog of your dreams because you created a balanced relationship based on clear expectations and communication through structure, clear communication, and obedience. It’s all about setting realistic expectations and enforcing them. I’m in no way preaching training methods solely based on corrective measures either; rather, I’m saying it’s important to have both reward and punishment to get the sweet satisfaction of a well-trained dog you can take anywhere and do anything with. Bad behavior? Correct it in a way that clearly communicates to your dog that that behavior was unacceptable and then show them what to do instead and praise that behavior. Teach and encourage your dog to engage in acceptable behaviors that set a new standard, but if they misbehave, do something about it! We all learn by making mistakes and getting corrected for them and we continue doing good work when we get rewarded. If you show your dog the same balance and stay consistent with your expectations you can enjoy the fruits of your labor with a well-mannered and respectful dog! Contact me for info on how to better communicate to your dog the behaviors you want to see more of and the behaviors you want to avoid.

If speeding tickets only cost one dollar, would you still speed? Probably. What about $50? Maybe. $100? $5,000? The impact of any consequence is subjective. I would never speed if there was a risk of paying $5,000 for a ticket, whereas I might not care as much about $50; but others might not even want to fork over a dollar. My point is that our dogs are the ones that determine what level of correction is meaningful enough to change their behavior. The same goes for rewards. They determine which reward is worth a change in behavior—this is not something we can determine for them. No one likes giving consequences, or receiving them, but that is how we learn and it’s how our dogs learn during dog training. Consequences are a necessary part of the learning process just as rewards are, but keep in mind, a consequence we may view as harsh, and a reward we may view as highly valuable, might not be significant in our dog’s eyes. Let your dog determine what motivates him to do or not do something and enforce the rules you set accordingly. Reach out for help or clarification if you need it! I’m here to help :)