Training Blog & Videos

Professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA) explains the importance consent tests and how to train gentle solicitations for physical contact. This video shows several examples of how to check that a dog is consenting to petting/physical affection. It is important that a dog BOTH solicits the initiation for physical affection AND continues to consent to petting throughout the time that the human is offering it. Luckily, the solution is simple: stop petting for a few seconds and see what the dog does! A dog's reaction will tell you if they want you to start petting again. Do NOT assume a dog still wants to keep receiving petting, even if they initally "asked" for it. Consent throughout petting is a powerful relationship builder, and part of mental wellness for dogs. --- Featuring Miss Hazel: watch the video for instructions on how to "read" a dog during petting, and how to ask for consent to petting throughout the experience. ALSO includes: guidance on how to train a dog to gently ask for petting/physical affection to replace pawing (or potentially other "pushy" behaviors). Visit www.PupsUnleashed.com to submit a training request today!

In-session training notes from professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). This video shows a simple way to teach dogs to relax after vigorous outdoor play and training. To teach dogs to relax after playtime, Arie rewards any dogs that offer a Down (lie down) without being asked. Dogs are allowed to freely roam, drink, etc. without being corrected so as to maximize their autonomy. Any time that a dog chooses to lie down on their own receives food rewards. If they Stay, they get MORE rewards for doing so (again, without being asked). This strategy incentivizes dogs to relax while also preserving their free choice and autonomy to roam as they see fit. By giving choice, we reduce any potential frustration of “needing” to Stay and simply capture the pups in the act of being good when they CHOOSE to lie Down. Try using this method for 5 minutes upon coming inside and see how your pups settle in! Then give them an “all done!” cue and withdraw your attention to let them fully decompress (naptime is SUPER important). Need more help? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

At home training tips from professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). This video features Dara the Corgi learning how to stop licking the dirty dishwasher without using food rewards (until after the exercise). You can also choose to reward at the end with affection, praise, a game, or another desired activity if there is a reason you cannot reward with food. To prevent the dog from licking the dishwasher, Arie uses careful observation to know when to Body Block (step between dishwasher & dog), the Leave It and Wait cues, and verbal praise to reinforce offered behaviors from the dog (e.g. when he sits or lies down automatically) throughout the exercise. The final/terminal rewards used in this video are: food (kibble), a scatter feed (enrichment game), praise, and petting. Each dog has their special combination of rewards they prefer, so it is essential to know YOUR dog when choosing the most effective combination. Dara the Corgi LIVES for food, sniffing, and scratches. What does YOUR pup love best? Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

In-session training notes from professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). In this video, we use the skills Down and Stay to relax and reduce stimulation after an outdoor play session. Relaxing as a group helps maintain harmonious group dynamics as well as modulating stimulation level in active dogs. Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Outdoor training session with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). In this video, we focus on building impulse control and alone time confidence while the human exits the yard through a fence gate. We use scatter feeding, food rewards, and verbal encouragement to teach the pups that they are still safe when their human leaves. Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Soothing outdoor activities with four pups and professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). In this video, we use scentwork (sniffing) and voluntarily offered Downs to sooth/enrich the dogs without overstimulating anyone in the heat! Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Panting pups after outdoor playtime with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA)! Nothing fancy here--just four pups all volunteering a Down to relax after they played hard! Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

Outdoor group work with four pups and professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). This video shows how to maximize each dog's autonomy by giving access to their favorite, different activities. Two pups pick to play fetch, one using his herding ball, and the last prefers to freely sniff for scattered kibble. When given free choice, each dog gravitates toward the activity they prefer the best, maximizing everyone's autonomy. Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com

An example of using the game Fetch to reinforce the Drop It skill with professional dog trainer Arie Ebaugh (MS, CPDT-KA). Fenton is rewarded with food and/or an additional throw of the ball when he drops the ball for Arie. Visit Arie's website to schedule a training session today: www.PupsUnleashed.com