Category: Training and behavior theory

Train your dog before the summer takes over.

There’s still time to train your dog before the summer activities, vacations, and general fun takes over your calendar.

Remember that training should be fun and educational…

Dog training fun on a pool floaty.

Wheeeeeee…

No, we won’t be teaching your dogs to lounge on a pool floaty. But we will train your dogs to follow your directions, be more confident, and be a happy member of your family. A happy dog is a happy human.

Dog training should be fun, fear free, force free and evidence based.

We are always more successful when we enjoy our learning. The same is true for our dogs. We guide them, reward them, and set them up for success.

Three Dogs Training next set of classes begin Saturday May 16, 2026. See times listed below.
We all learn by doing.

We all learn by doing. And yes, sometimes we learn from our mistakes but that can sometimes teach us to not try. Success keeps us going.

When we learn through success and rewards, we are happy and brave as we keep going!
Dog training class
dog training class
Dog socializing
Happy dog in training class
training dog waiting for a fun exercise
Fun dog training games and activities in training class
Dog doing puzzle in dog training class
Dog trainer getting doggie kisses
Two dogs sitting on dots in dog training class

Three Dogs Training next set of classes begin Saturday May 16, 2026.

For more information or to enroll click these links.

For more information on evidence based training click the links below.

Train your dog for spring and summer fun.

While it is still winter, it’s time to get ready to train your dog for spring and summer fun.

Remember that training should be…

Fun for All and All for Fun!

No, I can’t train your dogs to be AI musketeers. But we can train your dogs to follow directions, be more confident, and enjoy enrichment in their lives. A happy dog is a happy human.

When dog training is science based it is fun, fear free, and force free.

We are always more successful when we guide our dogs and manage them as they are learning. This sets them up for success.

We all learn by doing.

And yes, sometimes we learn from our mistakes but that can teach us to not try.

When we learn through success and rewards, we are happy and brave as we keep going!
Dog training class
dog training class
Dog socializing
Happy dog in training class
Dog graduating from dog training class
Fun dog training games and activities in training class
Dog doing puzzle in dog training class
Dog trainer getting doggie kisses
Two dogs sitting on dots in dog training class

Three Dogs Training next set of classes begin Saturday March 28, 2026. Just in time for spring.

For more information or to enroll click these links.

For more information on evidence based training click the links below.

Train your dog month – January 2026

While January is train your dog month, that doesn’t mean you can’t train your dog all year long.

It’s a good reminder, however that training should be…

Fun for All and All for Fun!

When dog training is science based it is fun, fear free, and force free.

We are always more successful when we guide our dogs and manage them as they are learning. This sets them up for success.

We all learn by doing.

And yes, sometimes we learn from our mistakes but that can teach us to not try.

When we learn through success and rewards, we are happy and brave as we keep going!
Fun dog training games and activities for train your dog month.

Three Dogs Training next set of classes begin January 31, 2026. Just in time for train your dog month.

For more information or to enroll click these links.

For more information on evidence based training click the links below.

What To Expect During Dog Behavior Consultations?

I offer both Remote or In-person behavior consultations.

For either remote or in-person sessions:

You will fill out a behavioral questionnaire prior to any scheduled appointment.  

In our dog behavior consultation we work together to change your dog’s behavior for the better. We employ data driven force-free behavior modification protocols. And our processes will scaffold exercises that support the long-term welfare of your dog and the dog-human relationship.

You can find more details on current research and protocols for behavior modification on the following websites.

Both Remote and In-person Sessions offer great instruction and sometimes one is more effective than the other.

There are times when a remote session is a necessary alternative to an in-person meeting. If your dog has stranger phobias/aggression, resource guarding, or other issues that could make an initial in-person session very stressful for them, we would begin remotely. This jump starts training by allowing me to get more details, view videos, and set up protocols without stressing your dog. We then have a strategy before we continue in-person. 

I will also need some video which usually shows me what I might not be able to see in person because your dog is in their natural setting without a stranger looming.

If a situation is dangerous, I don’t need unsafe video. I just need to see your dog in action vis-a-vis family, other dogs, and etc. – safely.

Here is a video that demonstrates how sometimes when we observe in real time, we miss a lot of signals that can help us help our dogs.

In-person sessions allow me to physically interact and demonstrate with your dog and if necessary work with you and your dog in an environment specific to your dog’s issues.

Regardless of remote or in-person sessions, I send notes to help you follow the stratagies we go over in our session. And our ultimate goal is to make your life with your dog happier and safer.

Dog eating toilet paper roll
Toilet paper hooligan
Dog with wine bottle
Drunken dog
dog wearing a hat
Head Chef
Dog wearing reading classes looking up words in the dictonary
Librarian

While we might not be able to turn your dog from a holligan to a librarian, we can make everyone happier and more at ease.

To set up a private session or get more information, email me.

When science confirms what we already suspect about the bond we have with our dogs.

The University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna studied the dog-owner bond and found striking similarities to the parent-child relationship in humans.

A recent article on sciencedaily.com confirms what all of the pet-owning world already knew but was just a little shy about saying it out loud:

“Scientists at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna (Vetmeduni Vienna) have investigated the bond between dogs and their owners and have found striking similarities to the parent-child relationship in humans.”

The study provides evidence for a secure base effect between dogs and their humans, not unlike the secure base effect that is seen between child and caregiver. This striking parallel will be further investigated in direct comparative studies on dogs and children.

As Horn says, “One of the things that really surprised us is, that adult dogs behave towards their caregivers like human children do. It will be really interesting to try to find out how this behaviour evolved in the dogs with direct comparisons.”

Lisa Horn, Science Daily, June 21, 2013
I am eager to hear what more they discover as they look deeper into this empirically.

My hope is they will see what I have seen for so many years that when our dogs trust us and we treat them with respect we can help them become better and happier members of our families (not unlike how we help our children flourish.)

Now if only science could prove that more than just a little dark chocolate a day is good for me…