Blog

Dog training success happens when dogs are set up to learn in a way that builds their confidence and understanding. When training is designed to maximize success, dogs learn faster, stay engaged, and enjoy the process. My goal is to structure training sessions so that my dog wins as often as possible—practicing correct behaviors rather than rehearsing mistakes.
Of course, training won't always go perfectly, but by carefully reading our dogs and adjusting our approach, we can create an environment where learning is both effective and fun.

Nosework competitions require the ability to focus and work independently in new and novel locations — so Julie joined me for a conversation on how to build the necessary levels of environmental resilience.  

Join us for a conversation on how pattern games can benefit dogs with big feelings — whether those feelings are positive or negative! Kim is a certified Control Unleashed instructor and shares insights into why the program was developed and how it can help. 

 When done well, heelwork can be downright beautiful. But if you've ever tried to teach heelwork, you know it's much more complex than it might look at first. Join me and Dante for a conversation on the pieces that you need to consider to get lovely heeling with duration.

What do you do if you end up with a dog that barks and lunges at people or other dogs? Join us for a panel discussion on what to do first, whether it matters what emotions are driving the behavior, and what you might want to consider if your goals are to compete. 

How solid is your dog's understanding of their stand cue? Join us for a conversation on how to teach the stand and why it's such an important skill for competition obedience.

Join me for a conversation with canine sports medicine vets David Lane and Chris Zink about what sports handlers should know! We talk about what is included within the canine sports medicine umbrella, how to find a specialist, and where you can learn more.

In this episode Petra and I discuss the difference between attention and engagement. Join us for Petra's advice on preparing your dog for the competition ring. 

Adding a second dog to FOMO (fear of missing out) training is no easy task. It requires patience, consistency, and careful attention to your dog's emotional state. One key part of overcoming FOMO is ensuring your dog has solid stationing skills before introducing any distractions. Once your dog is comfortable staying in one spot and can handle being left alone without anxiety, you can begin incorporating a second dog into the training session.

Looking to add some joy back into your training? Join Julie and I for a conversation about ways to use games to build connection, engagement, attention and... joy!  

If you're involved in dog sports or looking to strengthen your bond with your dog, rally training might be the perfect fit. Whether you're dreaming of agility titles, excelling in obedience competitions, or simply wanting a well-behaved pet, rally training lays a solid foundation for achieving your goals. Let's explore why this versatile sport is beneficial for every dog and handler team—regardless of their goals and aspirations.

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, a brush fire – dubbed the Palisades Fire since it started along Palisades Drive – broke out in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, just a few miles from my home. This wasn't a unique occurrence; brush fires happen around Los Angeles every year, and there have been small fires in Pacific Palisades before. But conditions conspired to grow the Palisades Fire in a way I've never seen in the nearly 25 years I have lived in the area.

You may have seen her on TikTok or Instagram... this week the dog trainer known for sharing her videos on social media is making an appearance here on the FDSA podcast! If you aren't already following her, you'll want to by the time you finish listening.  

Today we brought together several of the presenters from our upcoming one day conference on nosework, Know the Nose! They share what they wish they'd known sooner about nosework, as well as how they tailor their training and handling to the dog in front of them. 

Karen and I talk about how she uses a settle behavior in her behavior work and what it means to have a harmonious household.  

Hear the story of what inspired Denise's popular circle method for loose leash walking, and join us for a discussion on goal setting as we head into the near year! 

In honor of our current sale, we're bringing back highlights from several previous conversations on choosing your sport puppies, dealing with adolescence, what it means to have a confident dog and what it means to have a high drive dog... and combining them for one final takeaway. 

Trying to decide if Nosework is worth a try? In this episode Julie and I talk about the benefits of nosework and how to adapt your handling to improve your nosework dog's performance. 

Maintaining a strong connection with your dog during training is essential for success, but even the best-behaved dogs can lose focus. Sometimes, the reasons are obvious—a loud noise or a tempting scent—but other times, disconnection feels like a mystery. No matter the cause, identifying why your dog is disengaging is the first step toward finding a solution.

Throughout this blog, we'll explore the most common reasons dogs disconnect and actionable strategies to address each issue. These topics will be explored in my upcoming class, Connect and Engage with Games: Build Focus for Sports Dogs. Through the class, we'll dive even deeper into these challenges, equipping you with games and tools to keep your dog engaged and focused.