a good dog's guide to obedience by Balanced Obedience

This episode comprises excerpts from a Leerburg Enterprises Inc. ebook addressing the introduction of dogs, especially puppies, into homes with cats. Ed Frawley, a renowned dog trainer with extensive experience, provides a detailed method involving controlled exposure using a dog crate and muzzle, supplemented by prong and e-collars for corrections. The ebook emphasizes the owner's crucial role in consistent training and establishing pack structure to ensure successful integration. Numerous reader questions and Frawley's responses illustrate common challenges and reinforce his training philosophy.

This episode explains why puppies jump up on people—primarily due to excitement, attention-seeking, or lack of socialization—and offers training methods to curb this behavior. Key strategies involve teaching alternative greetings (sitting or lying down), consistently ignoring jumping, and rewarding calm behavior. Positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats, is encouraged. Finally, the post suggests a specialized training program, "Puppy Makeover," for persistent issues.

Puppies are known for their adorable and irresistible behavior, which often includes begging for food at mealtime. As cute as it may be, it's important to nip this behavior in the bud, as it can lead to problems down the road. Not only can it lead to weight gain and other health issues, but it can also lead to a dog that is overly dependent on its owner for food and treats.

This guide provides instructions on properly introducing puppies to new people, emphasizing the importance of socialization for building confidence and preventing aggression.

The "leave it" command is an important tool in helping you control your dog's behavior and preventing them from consuming potentially dangerous items. Here's how to teach your dog the "leave it" command.

Teaching a puppy the "down" and "sit" command is an important part of basic obedience training. Not only does it help to establish clear communication between you and your puppy, but it also helps to build a strong bond and provides a foundation for more advanced obedience training in the future. Here's how to teach your puppy the "down" and "sit" command.

Patience is an important skill for puppies to learn, as it helps them to become well-behaved and well-mannered dogs. The "wait" command is a great way to teach patience to your pup, as well as to prevent them from bolting out the door, jumping on people, or grabbing food from the table.

Barking is a natural behavior for puppies and dogs, but excessive barking can become a problem for both the dog and the owner. Here's a guide on why puppies bark and how to use the "shhh" command to stop excessive barking.

Preventing pulling on a leash is an important step in training your puppy to walk properly on a leash. Here are some tips for preventing pulling on a leash.

Exercise is an essential part of a puppy's physical and mental development. It not only helps to keep them healthy and fit, but it also helps to prevent behavior problems and promotes a strong bond between you and your pup. Here's a guide on the importance of puppy exercise, the best toys to use, and guidelines for puppy exercise.

Socialization is a crucial aspect of puppy development, as it helps them learn how to interact with and respond to different people, animals, and environments. Here's a guide on how to introduce a puppy to socialization, including tips on meeting friends and families, meeting other animals, and how to distinguish between proper and improper play.

Puppies go through a teething stage just like human babies do. It is an important and necessary process for them as they need to develop their teeth in order to properly chew and digest food. However, as a puppy owner, it can be frustrating to see your belongings being gnawed on or destroyed. In this blog, we will discuss the importance of puppy teething, how to handle teething, and ways to prevent unwanted chewing.

Leash training is an essential step in helping your puppy become a well-behaved and well-adjusted companion. Here's a guide on how to introduce leash training to your puppy, how to stop leash biting, and other useful tips and information.

Grooming is an important aspect of taking care of your puppy, as it not only keeps them looking good, but also helps to maintain their overall health. Here are some tips on how to take care of your puppy's grooming needs, including their nails, fur, and teeth.

Taking your puppy to the veterinarian for their first check-up can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for both you and your furry companion. Here are some tips to help you prepare for and make the most of your puppy's first veterinarian visit.

It's natural for dogs to feel scared of new or unfamiliar things. If your dog is afraid of certain items, such as vacuums, thunderstorms, or loud noises, it's important to help them overcome their fear. This process is called desensitization, and it's a gradual process that helps your dog learn to feel more comfortable with the scary item over time.

Dogs can be sensitive to loud noises and being touched in certain areas, which can cause them to become anxious or fearful. Desensitization is a gradual process that can help your dog become more comfortable with these stimuli over time. Here's a guide on how to desensitize your dog to loud noises and being touched.

Choosing a name for your new puppy is an exciting and important decision. The name you choose will be your pup's primary identifier, and it's essential to pick one that's unique, memorable, and easy to say. In this guide, we'll cover some tips on how to pick the perfect name for your new puppy and provide suggestions for different types of names.

Eating feces, also known as coprophagia, is a common but unpleasant behavior among dogs. This behavior can be caused by a variety of reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, a lack of mental stimulation, and certain medical conditions. Here's a guide on why dogs eat poop and how to stop a puppy from eating poop.

Puppies, like all dogs, have unique needs when it comes to their digestion and bowel movements. Understanding what healthy poop looks like and how to prevent and address issues such as diarrhea is an important part of puppy care.

Training a puppy can be a challenging but rewarding experience. One important aspect of puppy training is addressing resource guarding, which is when a dog becomes possessive or protective of a specific resource such as food, toys, or even people. This behavior can be dangerous and can lead to aggression if not addressed properly.

Feeding a puppy is an essential part of puppy care and it is important to provide them with the right type of food and the right amount. In this blog, we will discuss how much to feed a puppy, food guarding, and the issues with hand feeding.

Bringing a new puppy into your life is an exciting time, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility. One of the most important tasks you'll have is to ensure your furry friend is well-fed and nourished. To help you navigate this aspect of puppy care, we've put together a comprehensive guide on what to feed your puppy, different brands, and what to watch out for, along with covering allergies and bloat.

Setting limits and boundaries is a crucial aspect of puppy training, as it can help prevent future unwanted behaviors. Some unwanted behaviors can be a source of liability such as: biting people, attacking dogs or chasing livestock. Setting limits allows puppies to understand what is expected of them and can also increase their sense of security and comfort. Here, we will discuss the importance of setting limits for playing with your puppy and provide tips for encouraging the behavior you want while discouraging unwanted behavior.

Separation anxiety is a common problem among puppies and dogs. It occurs when a dog becomes overly anxious or stressed when left alone, and can manifest in a variety of behaviors, such as barking, whining, chewing, and digging. Here's a guide on how to prevent and correct separation anxiety in puppies.

Crating is an important aspect of puppy training and care. A crate provides a safe and secure environment for your puppy to rest and sleep, and can also help with potty training and preventing destructive behavior. In this blog, we will explore the importance of crating a puppy, why crates are great, and how to build crate fidelity.

Potty training a puppy can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It is important to understand that puppies have small bladders and need to go to the bathroom frequently. They also may not have full control of their bladder until they are several months old. With patience and consistency, you can teach your puppy where it is appropriate to go to the bathroom.

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and joyous time, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Getting started with puppy training is an exciting journey for both you and your new furry friend. Puppy training helps to create a positive bond between you and your puppy, and sets the foundation for good behavior in the future. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started with puppy training.

For this podcast season, we've compiled a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate the fascinating world of puppyhood. From deciphering their behaviors to meeting their needs, from establishing effective training routines to witnessing your furry companion graduate to their full potential, this guide is your steadfast companion on this incredible journey.

Halloween is a time of fun and excitement for humans, but for our furry companions, it can be stressful and even frightening. Dogs thrive on routine, and the changes that come with Halloween—strange costumes, loud noises, and extra visitors—can create anxiety and behavioral issues. This guide will help you understand how to keep your dog safe and happy during this festive season, from managing leash manners to reducing stress.

Service dogs are not merely companions; they are trained professionals that enhance the quality of life for their handlers. They empower people to navigate daily challenges with greater confidence and independence, breaking down barriers that society often imposes

In this episode, we take a bigger look on the Public Access test for service dogs.

When it comes to training a psychiatric service dog, the best course of action is to partner with a  professional dog trainer. 

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the many skills that psychiatric service dogs provide.

Proper PSD training serves two purposes: it ensures your service animal displays good manners at all times while in public places, and it also ensures that your service animal is able to perform a specific task or type of work that is directly related to your mental or emotional disability (a requirement for all PSDs).

There are three options available when it comes to training your psychiatric service dog. In this episode, we are taking a deep dive into these options.

Here are some questions readers often ask about PSDs. 

Any breed of dog can become a service dog with the proper training. If you find yourself in need  of a specially trained service dog.

The Americans with Disabilities Act does not specify any breeds that should or should not  become service animals. Assistance animals come in all sizes, though their size should be  appropriate to the specific tasks they are being trained to perform.

Training is not limited to professional trainers or Service Dog  organizations. Owners can train their own Service Dogs, but many seek the assistance  of a professional dog trainer. Balanced Obedience offers coaching and online courses  to pass the Public Access Test, teach obedience training and more.  

https://www.servicedogpass.org/ 

http://www.akc.org/dog-owners/ training/canine-good-citizen/ training-testing/

In this episode, we will take a deep dive in the different requirements a service dog needs to follow.

Acquiring and training a service dog can be a life-changing experience, providing essential support to individuals with disabilities. However, the process of training a service dog is not without significant financial costs. From the initial selection of the dog to the extensive specialized training required, expenses can quickly add up. In this episode, we will explore the various costs involved and strategies to help you pay for service dog training, ensuring that the financial aspect doesn’t become a barrier to the valuable assistance these animals can provide.

It takes time to train any Service Dog, including PSDs. For most dogs, the service  training process requires between one and two years of continuous training. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the determination and patience it take to train a service dog.

Once an individual is determined to qualify for a service dog, they must then go  through the process of obtaining a service dog. This typically involves working with a  reputable service dog organization or trainer to find a suitable dog and then undergoing  training with the dog to ensure that it is properly trained to assist the individual with  their specific needs.

When it comes to service dog training, different dog breeds can have varying levels of suitability depending on the type of service they are being trained to perform. Some breeds are more suited to certain types of service work than others. In this episode, we are going to go over the up-keep of having a service dog.

A person with a disability is defined as “a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities”. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals with mobility impairments, visual impairments, hearing impairments, and mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or anxiety. If you have a medical disability recognized under the ADA, ask your licensed professional doctor or mental health provider to write you a letter for a Service Dog.

Service Dogs are an essential tool for many Americans with disabilities, allowing them to live more independently and participate fully in society. It's important to note that Service Dogs are not considered pets and they have access rights in places where pets are not allowed. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Service Dogs are allowed to accompany their owners in any place that is open to the public. This includes but is not limited to restaurants, hotels, stores, and public transportation.

Service dogs, also known as assistance dogs, are specially trained animals that assist

Understanding your dog is important for creating a strong and fulfilling relationship between the dog and their owner. Dogs have been human companions for thousands of years, they have complex behaviors, communication signals, and emotional capacities. In this episode, we will discuss the different aspects of understanding your dog, from their body language to their unique personalities. 

Just as humans pass through different life stages, so do our canine companions. Each stage presents unique challenges and opportunities for training and bonding. In this episode, we'll explore effective training strategies tailored to each life stage, from the playful exuberance of puppyhood to the wisdom of the senior years.

Before diving into obedience training or addressing behavioral issues, it's crucial to understand the fundamental needs of our canine companions. Dogs are intelligent, social beings with a natural inclination towards mental stimulation and physical activity. In this episode, we explore why mental stimulation and exercise are vital components of a dog's well-being and how they contribute to a balanced and happy life for your dog.

Understanding your dog's body language is crucial for effective communication and building a strong bond. Dogs primarily communicate through body movements, facial expressions, and vocalizations. In this episode, we'll delve into the intricate world of canine body language to help you decipher what your dog is trying to tell you.

In this episode, we dive into the exciting realm of advanced training, focusing on teaching your dog impressive tricks and honing their agility skills. These activities not only provide mental stimulation but also strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Walking your dog on a leash is not just about exercise; it's an opportunity to reinforce your bond and establish trust and respect between you and your dog. In this episode, we'll delve into the essential aspects of leash training and the etiquette required for pleasant and safe walks with your dog.