Why We Changed Our Mind About E-Collar Training

Golden brown dog running toward the camera on a grassy field while a woman walks behind, with power lines and a blue sky in the background.

Why We Changed Our Mind About E-Collar Training Two years ago, one of our client families made a decision many of you would understand. When we discussed training options for their anxious dog Oreo, they firmly opted out of e-collar training. No judgment from us—we respect every family’s choice about their dog’s training journey. This […]

Why Your Dog Pees on Everything (And When You Should Stop Them)

German Shepherd walking across a grassy yard with trees and sunlight in the background.

Why Your Dog Pees on Everything (And When You Should Stop Them) If you’ve ever watched your dog stop at every tree, mailbox, and fire hydrant during a walk, you’ve probably wondered: should I stop this? Is all this peeing normal? The short answer might surprise you – most of the time, it’s perfectly fine. […]

The Lazy Training Secret That Creates a Calmer Dog

Alt text: Black dog with a blue leash lying on a gray floor, looking up with curious eyes.

The Lazy Training Secret That Creates a Calmer Dog If you’ve ever wished your dog could just… chill? Without constantly demanding attention, jumping on guests, or turning into a tornado at the door? There’s a ridiculously simple training technique we use all day at TWP that works like magic. It’s called tethering, and it might […]

Littermate Syndrome: Is It Really That Bad?

Two fluffy brown dogs sitting on grass under a tree, leashed and looking at the camera.

Littermate Syndrome: Is It Really That Bad?   “They’re so cute together! Let’s get both!” I can’t tell you how many times these words have been said by excited families at the breeder’s house or shelter. Those two adorable puppies wrestling together seem like the perfect package deal. Why not bring home both? That’s when […]

Why I Stopped Using the “Alpha Roll” (And What Actually Works Better)

Happy light-colored dog sitting indoors on a leash, looking up with its mouth open and ears perked.

Why I Stopped Using the “Alpha Roll” (And What Actually Works Better) Hi there, Remember those dramatic scenes from Cesar Millan’s show? A dog acts up, gets flipped onto its back, and magically submits to human authority? I used to be a true believer. When I got my first puppy, I faithfully practiced the alpha […]

Will My Puppy EVER Calm Down? (Hint: Don’t Wait Years to Find Out)

Two happy dogs running on a sunny grassy field, one white and one golden, both looking playful and excited.

Will My Puppy EVER Calm Down? (Hint: Don’t Wait Years to Find Out)   The Empty Promises We Tell Exhausted Puppy Parents “She’ll calm down after she turns one.” “Just wait until he’s two, that’s when they mature.” “Once she’s spayed, she’ll settle right down.” Sound familiar? As a dog trainer with over a decade […]

How to Pick a Daycare Your Dog Will Actually Love

Four dogs sitting on green grass at a park, looking toward the camera. The group includes a black and tan dog in the front, a brown and white dog, a large fluffy black dog, and a golden retriever. Trees and a white fence are in the background.

How to Pick a Daycare Your Dog Will Actually Love Choosing a boarding or daycare facility can be stressful – you want somewhere that’ll take care of your pup like you would. After 18 years in the dog world, I can tell you exactly what to look for (and what should send you running). The […]

Should You Train Your New Dog Right Away?

Small brown dog playing tug-of-war with a plush toy, holding it in its mouth while standing on a black floor indoors.

Should You Train Your New Dog Right Away? You asked a really important question that many new dog parents wonder about: “Should I start training right away or wait until my dog settles in?” The short answer: Start some basic training right away, but keep it gentle and positive. Here’s why this approach works best: […]

Dog Parks: Fight Club for Dogs

Happy brown and white dog with golden eyes and a big open-mouthed smile standing indoors on a black floor with a blue leash attached to its collar.

Dog Parks: Fight Club for Dogs If you’ve ever taken your pup to a dog park, you know the drill: wide-open spaces, wagging tails, and what seems like endless fun. But honestly, dog parks can sometimes feel more like a chaotic brawl than a peaceful playdate. As someone who’s been there (and learned the hard […]

The Conversation About Your Dog That Will Change Everything

Brown dachshund running on green grass with ears flapping and leash attached on a sunny day in the park.

The Conversation About Your Dog That Will Change Everything A dog trainer’s honest take on why your training efforts might not be working I recently hung out with some close friends who were dealing with a scary situation – their dog had started snapping at their kids’ friends during playdates. The frustration in their voice […]

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Dog Training Matchmaker Quiz

Dog Training Matchmaker Quiz​

What type of training does your dog really need?