Positive dog trainer in San Diego | group puppy classes | private dog training lessons | clicker training
Inspiring people by empowering dogs. Are you looking for dog training that helps your dog to be well-mannered, respond to your requests consistently, and follow the rules of your home and the human world? Do you want teaching your dog to be a fun, rewarding experience? You've come to the right … More
If you're like most puppy parents, you probably have a couple of goals. Help your puppy reach his or her full potential. Save your sanity as you survive puppyhood! You might want your puppy to learn these behaviors. Focus Sit Relax Walk on a leash Come when called … More
Woof! Dog Training offers training class options that help you meet your training goals. Here are just some of the options you can choose from: Attend classes at a local training location to focus on early socialization of your new puppy or starting your new dog off on the right foot. Have … More
Parents and expectant parents want to keep their babies safe and their dogs happy. Your dog has always been your first baby, and now you've got a human baby joining the family. It's an exciting time! Are you wondering how to keep your dog happy when your baby arrives? Do you have a baby who … More
Positive and effective Woof! Dog Training training uses 100% positive reinforcement philosophy. Force and punishment are never used in training and are not necessary for effectiveness. Using positive methods, Erin helps her students teach their dogs how to behave appropriately and follow the … More
When your dog or puppy misbehaves, it can be frustrating. There are many nuances to changing behaviors, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
If your dog is chewing the wrong things, jumping on guests, climbing on furniture, or engaging in other behaviors you’d prefer he not, here are a few changes you can make today to improve your communication with your dog when you notice behaviors you don’t like. [Read more…]
Sometimes, training your dog isn’t really about training your dog. Sometimes, it’s about compassion, patience, and forgiving yourself and your dog for the times either of you fall short.
Whether you lost your cool and yelled at your pup, set him up for failure instead of success, or just ran low on the patience to give him the support he needs, here are a few ways to reset when things aren’t going well.
1. Play with your dog. Many dogs love a good game of tug of war, and it can help you both burn off bad vibes and bond again. If tug’s not your dog’s speed, try a quick round of fetch. Or, try a search-based game, and watch your dog enjoy doing something he naturally loves.
2. Breathe in; breathe out. When your dog does something frustrating, let it be a cue for your behavior. Breathe in slowly to a count of 5, and blow it back out just as slowly. Smile at your dog at the end of the breaths, and try to move on or redirect him in a more helpful way.
3. Change your tone. If you’ve started yelling, or if you notice yourself getting unnecessarily stern, try changing your [Read more…]
When you talk about training a dog, the conversation usually leads people to talking about various commands their dog knows. But, in class, I’m careful to always use the word “cue” instead of the word “command”. I’m not sure if my students notice my intentional phrasing, but there’s a critical difference between these two words when teaching our dogs.
To give a dog a command suggests you are authority and the dog has no choice in the matter. At best, this is misleading to people working with dogs, [Read more…]
Shelly Vandevelde has been training dogs for 17 years, teaching professionally for 10, and holds a BA from CSUSM. Throughout her years as a trainer, … More
Erin Vejar, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA; KPA CTP) and Owner of Woof! Dog Training, decided to become a dog trainer after learning a … More
