Frequently Asked Questions

PATIENCE: you can not training your dog in one day or one week. Take your time, let puppies be puppies (with structure). There is no rush to train. Frankly, as a best practice, ideally you always want to be training and proofing your dogs.

CONSISTENCY: Whatever you are working on, work on it consistently and in different places.

FRUSTRATION: This is your que to stop and release both you and the dog from the frustration. What you are doing isn't working. Take a break, re-assess what you are doing that isn't working and try something else. Always try to finish session on a positive note.

VARIETY: Your dog may heal or come well in the yard but what about around the corner or at the park?

We always want the dog to come from position of strength and confidence. Yes, we want our dogs to be physically strong but we also want them to be mentally strong, tough and resilient, just like our children.

The crate is a place of safety, comfort, security, just like your bed/bedroom. Its the place you retreat to when you need some quiet time and a place to relax and let your guard down. It is also a critical part of puppy training and teaching dogs not to pee or poop in their home, which starts with the crate. It's also the place for them to go when there are guests or contractors . If and when your dog needs to go to vet for any surgical issues, they will put your dog in a crate. Your dog will be stressed enough with strangers, the surgery and then is not the time to further stress to dog with being in a crate for the first time. Finally, its just part of dog training. We teach them go to their spot/crate and wait /lay day. We don't let blast out when I open the dog to the crate, which become dog to the house and we don't want them blasting out of the front door, ever! You know you got it right when your dog goes in there regularly to chill.

The crate is akin to a cave. A cave / crate is only accessible from the front, so the occupant only has to worry/secure the front. A cage is essentially open from every side, there is no way the occupant can relax and it becomes a place of anxiety. A cage with a blanket or towel is extremely unsafe as the already stressed dog will eventually grab, tug and chew and perhaps swallow the blanket or towel.

Remember, the crate is the place to chill, wind down and relax. NO bones, chews or toys; will keep the dog's energy up. NO towels, blankets or pads; these can become chew toys and choking hazards. NO leashes or collars of any kind; these can get caught and strangle your dog.