The Dog Tutor

10/15/2026

What is reactivity in dogs??
We hear that word all the time and some dogs get put into a category that they don't deserve. Some dogs are fearful, some dogs are aggressive, some do it for the adrenaline rush , some dogs just don't have any reference except explode, with no self awareness of why. Mostly it is because they reacted before.
Dogs live in a world of repeating patterns because of their more simplistic brain development in the area dedicated to decision making. Understanding why a dog reacts is fundamental in solving the reactivity.

10/15/2026

Look at that focus! Unfortunately that focus is on a dog that is about 150 feet away and standing motionless. Filming a video is difficult when you are alone and trying to work a dog through an unplanned situation. When the other dog began moving towards us I simply got up and tried to get back to the car. The slightest leash pressure to guide her back to the car was enough to make her explode into a screaming frenzy.
Ah yes, leash pressure, the final bump that pushes most reactive dogs past the tipping point. A perfect example of the "layered stress model" that I teach to all my clients.
More to come.......

10/10/2026

Meet Nova. This 5 year old girl is all go and no stop. At only 45 pounds she is an absolute powerhouse when you let her really open up while playing tug. She could easily injure anyone that takes her on for a game. Her reactivity (though it sounds and looks highly aggressive) stems from a lack of emotional control. She is really easy to overstimulate, even during play. So far the score card reads Nova 4 / Raymond 0. I've recieved one hole in my face, one hole in my arm, one more in my leg and skin torn off of both of my ring fingers from a tug toy.
Nova is a great dog overall. We just need to install the "off" side of our "on/off" switch.
I will be attempting to document the training sessions from the first to the last. I expect to see great things change for this girl. More to come......

09/14/2026

Fear in dogs is so misunderstood. Most owners coddle their fearful dog WAY too much. This leaves a dog trapped inside its own mind...forever! Dogs can't think their way out of a freaful state on their own.
Understanding how much and when to push them through stressful situations will get your dog to understand that the world can be fun instead of scary.
Fear is equal to a mental pain. Help ease your fearful dogs pain.

09/13/2026

Don't overestimate what your dog understands, even something as simple as a "sit" behavior. When we teach a dog a behavior via a command we think (as humans), that they can do it everywhere we go. This is a fundamental flaw in human brains misunderstanding canine brain. Dogs don't generalize a behavior as quickly as we do because we process information differently. Humans have the ability of logical thought. Be fair to your dog everytime you go someplace with them that you've never been before and adjust your expectations accordingly

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09/11/2026

Neutering a male dog for behavior issues should be a crime.
Yes we have an overpopulation issue with dogs but if castration was the key we would have seen a difference by now.
Neutering does not make a dog less aggressive, it does not solve house training issues, or did not prevent cancer. It does have many fallouts associated with it that most vets don't discuss because they are not up to date with the latest scientific studies.

09/10/2026

If you own a dog then you are a dog trainer. Now the question is "What are you teaching your dog?". A dog learns from every minute that they interact with you. If you don't like the behaviors that your dog is giving you, then look in the mirror for the reason. If you don't know what the right things are to do then it's time to learn.

Reach out to a professional dog trainer that can teach you how to communicate better with your dog and take the stress out of your relationship with your furry friend.

Do it as a favor to yourself.

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08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day. Take your dog on a special walk, someplace new, today to celebrate.

08/13/2026

Pulling on a leash is one of the major complaints of clients. So how does this bad habit start?
It starts when a dog owner takes their puppy for a walk before they teach the puppy how to respond to leash pressure. This is one of the foundational skills missed, that people tend to misunderstand and then when the pup grows up it becomes an issue.

08/11/2026

I know for some this may sound confusing but one of the very first things you need to teach any dog is an OUT behavior. This is what is commonly referred to as "drop it". This is a foundation skill that allows you to build on so many other behaviors, including the correct rules for structured games.
It can also save your dogs life. Fundamentally it eliminates conflict over possessions when taught properly, which reflects on so many aspects of a dog's life.