Want a Well Behaved Dog?

Before I got Will I swore that when I got a dog he would be the most well behaved pup on the block. I would train Will from the very beginning and I would know what I was doing because I looked at some youtube videos that showed me what to do.

Let’s just say when I saw my pup running down the street to visit a neighbor who was very particular about her yard, trampling through her just blooming peony bushes before he bolted off to say hi to another neighbor friend where he proceeded to jump on them with his fresh dirty paws (from those freshly trampled peony bushes) that I was very much humbled…..and extremely mortified.

The thing is, training is actually really hard. It takes a LOT of patience, time and consistency, which piled on top of the craziness of having a new puppy or a misbehaving older dog, can be incredibly overwhelming. I was completely in over my head, even though I thought I had gone in eyes wide open.

But as hard as it is, training is an absolute NECESSITY! It keeps your pup safe, builds their confidence, strengthens their bond with you and of course keeps your neighbors and their gardens happy!

The are a variety of training methods and programs but the one that truly helped Will become a well behaved member of the neighborhood was Brain Training for Dogs. If your dog struggles with any of the following then I think it would be a great fit for you as well:

• New puppy who needs to learn A-Z

• Jumping up on people

• Pulling on the leash

• Digger, Chewer, Biter

• Uncontrollable Barking

• Not listening to cues/commands

• Suffers from anxiety

• Gets overly excited

Trial and Error

Before I talk about Brain Training for Dogs I want to talk a little bit about how I started off on Will’s training journey. Believe it or not despite my aforementioned embarrassment with my very naughty dog (and let’s just say that wasn’t the only cringe worthy incident), I actually had Will in a puppy training class days after I got him. It was at the height of the pandemic so it was via zoom and class started at 7:00 pm. Will was barely 9 weeks old so by that time of night he was wiped out and slept through most of class. Of course class was mainly for me to learn how to train him, but it was hard to practice on camera in front of the instructor so I could get feedback. Will was either sound asleep or not focused at all.

We did learn some basics though and moved on to the next level which was another evening zoom class now filled with older more rambunctious puppies. I found much of class was spent answering questions from exasperated parents or watching their energetic dogs decide they wanted to play and bite instead of learn. Will was completely bored again. At this point I had spent over $300 on classes, and while I learned some good tools I felt like I was just treading water and Will was now starting to test boundaries, becoming increasingly stubborn, not listening to any cues unless he saw a treat in my hand, and even then it was hit or miss. He was also fast losing interest in our training sessions and getting frustrated. Will has basically starting to haver temper tantrums like the dog toddler he was, and in return I was on the verge of having a breakdown. Late at night when I was tired and exasperated, I would think about how I should re-home my dog to someone that could do better for Will. I truly felt like I was failing him and I at times regretted getting a puppy.

Brain Training for Dogs Method

What I wish I had found at that time was a comprehensive training system that I could do at my own pace and at a schedule that worked for me and Will. Something I could refer to over and over and read the lessons ahead of time to prepare, watch a video of the training method and also be able to ask questions at any time instead of just during the designated hour of class. Plus I needed something that would actually hold Will’s attention and keep him focused because it was fun and stimulating. I also did not want to go the corrective tools route. Will had such a sweet, trusting personality and I did not want to potentially ruin that with improper use of tools such as E-Collars or Prong collars. I’m not totally against the use of those things, they can definitely serve a purpose, but you need to work with a certified and highly experienced trainer one on one, to make sure they are introduced and used correctly. For me I knew that positive reinforcement training was the route I wanted to go.

The Brain Training for Dogs program is everything outlined above and more! It is an online based course that engages with your dog’s intelligence and uses force free and gentle techniques proven to work for all types of dogs and their personalities. Adrienne, who runs the program is highly certified, extremely experienced and has even provided training to service dogs in the military.

I purchased her whole program for just $47! I admittedly am horrible at math, but I know that is a fraction of what I paid for the 2 basic training courses ($300) and a $175 one hour private session with a trainer who basically wanted me to bribe Will to come inside when he refused, instead of actually responding to a recall cue. Side Note: Bribing only worked until Will caught on and then it was back to outright refusing to listen.

Will learned more from the Brain Training program than all my previous training sessions combined. It was the only thing that got us through the tumultuous teenager aka “the full regression/stop listening” phase. Adrienne focuses on the real individual root cause behind each problem you are dealing with, like chewing, barking, aggressive behavior to other dogs etc., and gives you a tailored solution for each problem. Getting Will to come back inside or even back to the house after playing with friends or going for a walk used to be an absolute struggle. Cue’s were ignored, he was too heavy to pick up, he put on the brakes and would roll over when I pulled his leash and at times would even pop out of his collar. He would run away every time I got close enough to get his collar back on him and once he even attempted to bite my hand. I’m not kidding when I say more than a few times did this struggle end with me in tears. After this program we can easily walk back into the house. Sometimes he does take a minute to think about it, but he always makes the correct decision. I loved Will from the moment I got him, but now I actually like him and am so proud of him. He is truly my best friend and the absolute best dog I could ever imagine having and I have zero regrets and no more thoughts about finding him a new home.

Like I said, the price is absolutely amazing for the content you get, but you can still try it without any risk to you because Adrienne offers refunds before 60 days are up, if you find that the program is not working out for you and your dog. If you want to get a preview of how Adrienne incorporates games into training you can download a free PDF at the bottom of this page where she teaches 2 methods of gaining your dog’s attention through sound and cue. There is a link to video in the pdf guide as well so you can see the training in action.

• Get the Brain Training for Dogs today!

Conclusion

Whether or not you are interested in the Brain Training Program the most important thing you can do is to find a trainer or program that works for you and your pup and to practice every day. You want something or someone that you can connect with and feel comfortable with. Do not go on your training journey alone, you need the help of trained professional, whether online, in person or through a guide book. If you don’t feel comfortable committing to a training program just yet I did also get some really good tips from Zak George’s book Training Revolution which also utilizes the positive reinforcement method.

Just remember that this is a journey, there will be times for celebration and also times where you will want to just give up and cry and look into re-homing your pup. Everyone goes through the same thing. But if you have patience, put in the time and are consistent and think about the end game then I guarantee you will have a well behaved dog who is confident, trusting and one you can be proud of!

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Check out my 5 Training Tips and Tricks Post!

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