Naming a new puppy is fun--but while there's nothing wrong with choosing a name that's a little bit silly, you should also be practical and thoughtful. Your name should be one you'll use daily for a lifetime. Selecting a great name makes training more accessible and helps your dog settle…
You must put in the work yourself to raise a puppy successfully. A dog trainer cannot fix all of the dog issues and strengthen your relationship with the dog. Dog trainers give advice and suggestions and help educate you on how to solve problems. You have to do the work.…
Over the past year, I have seen too many puppies lacking confidence and self-esteem. They are shy, withdrawn, and fearful of experiencing new adventures and situations. Six ways to build confidence: 1. Help Them Navigate Through Challenging Situations 2. Don’t Baby Them; Encourage Them 3. Stop Spoiling Them 4. Socialize…
Many people think dog training is stopping unwanted behaviors or fixing the dog. Dog training is actually teaching the dog what you want it to do. Dog training should be focused on setting your puppy up for success instead of focusing on their unwanted behaviors. When you change your mindset…
A therapy dog lends comfort and affection to people in a facility setting or specific individuals who require visitation to deal with a physical or emotional problem. There are 4 steps to complete Therapy Dog Training. After these 4 steps, you must take a test and be observed by the…
Conditioning your puppy for bad weather, such as heat, cold, rain, and snow, is essential. This helps build their confidence and allows them to realize that bad weather is part of their life. In this episode, I explain how to do this safely and effectively. Click here to purchase my…
Here is a list of the top 6 dog training mistakes: 1. Chastisement upon return 2. Confusing rules 3. Rewards for bad behavior 4. Constantly offering food treats 5. Getting angry 6. Poor communication You can read the article here: https://www.topgundogtraining.com/post/dog-training-mistakes-avoid-them-if-you-want-a-well-behaved-pooch Click here to purchase my new book, The Complete…
One way puppies can explore the world and learn about things is with their mouth. They pick up everything from the ground and bite stuff because they have no other way to explore and learn about physical objects. In this episode, I teach you a method to stop puppy play…
3 Steps to Potty Train Your Puppy. More info in my book Potty Training Your Puppy (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNGRNXNX) . 1) Your puppy should always be supervised or confined while indoors. Supervise your puppy closely or have them in the crate. Supervised means you will see it taking place if your puppy…
There are two times when you need to use your puppy's name when training. One is if there are multiple dogs present. The other is to get them to come to you. Don't overuse the puppy's name, or there will be no value to it. Click here to purchase my…
Littermate syndrome is a term that describes unwanted behaviors among sibling dogs, including aggression and intense attachment. It is often used to describe behavioral issues that occur when two or more dogs from the same litter are raised together and adopted into the same home. If you are considering adopting…
Here is a great way to use a Lickimat. Most people use only peanut butter, but your dog may get tired of that after a while. Try to use 5-9 different ingredients and make use of the entire mat.
Welcome to Huntsville's premier dog training service! Owned and operated by Dale Buchanan, a professional and compassionate dog trainer with 15 years of experience. Dale is here to help you and your furry friend build a strong and loving bond while also teaching valuable obedience and behavior skills. https://topgundogtraining.com/ Whether…
Leash training your puppy is an essential part of obedience and discipline. Leash training will get your puppy out of the house to learn socialization skills and how to behave in public. These are called Leash Manners. Here are three tips to help leash train your puppy. 1. Keep the…
Potty training a puppy is very simple is you follow the basic guidelines in this episode. 1. Manage the puppy's space in the house 2. Reward the puppy immediately after they go potty outside 3. Be consistent; take the puppy out at least every hour 4. Don’t use pee pads.…
Your puppy's age and breed can determine the amount of exercise your puppy needs. Some dogs will need more than others. This episode advises determining what your puppy needs for exercise and mental stimulation. The book mentioned in this episode is Leash Training Your Puppy (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVGJ3DPQ) . Click here to…
The place command is an essential tool in the training arsenal of any puppy owner, enabling them to establish control over their furry friend's movements both indoors and outdoors. Follow the three steps in this podcast and read the article (https://topgundogtraining.com/blog/f/how-to-teach-the-place-command) from Top Gun Dog Trainings website or read the…
Oftentimes, puppy owners are unaware of their puppies' need for mental stimulation. However, once they are educated on how to introduce it into everyday life and form a more structured schedule for their puppy, owners will see results almost immediately. While there are endless ways to mentally stimulate your puppy,…
As a professional dog trainer, I have never been asked to help make a puppy more hyper, but almost every new puppy owner requests some training on how to make their puppy more calm. To achieve the goal of puppy calmness, it’s mostly about trimming the fat…or eliminating things you…
The goal of raising a puppy is to prevent unwanted behaviors from developing so that you can live harmoniously with your puppy. Most new puppy owners allow most unwanted behavior to develop, even reinforcing the behaviors in the puppy. The behaviors I get called the most to help “fix” are…
Focusing on your puppy being calm in the crate lets you create a list of ways to achieve this goal. I will help you get started with this list. It is up to you to expand on this list and follow through. 1. Help your puppy develop a positive association…
This is a great question. In this podcast episode, I will discuss why so many puppies are being rehomed and how to prevent this from happening to your puppy. Why Are So Many Puppies Being Rehomed? 1. Owners don’t have time to raise and train a puppy. 2. Owners have…
Here is the List of some Essential Equipment for New Puppies: • Dog Bed for relaxation and teaching place • Play Toys for enrichment • Kong® mental stimulation toys • LickiMat® mental stimulation feeders • Dog Puzzles for mental stimulation • Bully Sticks for heavy chewers • Dear Antler for…
Isolating your puppy in the house and yard during their critical socialization period of 4-16 weeks is a big mistake. Lack of puppy socialization during the critical period of their life is the number one reason they develop serious behavior problems as adult dogs. Here is the link to a…