11/08/2026
Unedited training session with a 14-week-old puppy! 🐾
If you’re looking for a trainer, we encourage you to observe an unedited training session or sit in on a class before deciding who to work with.
Here are a few things to watch for:
🐾 Are the dogs having fun?
Look for engagement with the handler, relaxed body language, ears in a natural position (not pinned back), a normal/relaxed tail (not tucked or tight to the body) and movement that looks confident rather than slow, worried or inhibited. No lowered body posture.
We want to see JOY and enthusiasm for learning!
🐾 Is the training effective?
Are the dogs actually learning? Are you seeing progress and results? What does the trainer’s own dog look like? And what about the other dogs in the class?
🐾 What happens when the dog makes a mistake?
This is a big one. Watch how the trainer responds when the dog gets something wrong.
And most importantly, listen to your gut. Does the training look like something you feel good about using with your own dog?
Dogs are sentient beings who rely on us for compassion, kindness and guidance. Training can be fun, kind AND effective. You don’t have to choose between getting results and having a good relationship with your dog.
In this video, Peanut is learning to:
🐾 Relax in his crate
🐾 Stay on a bed
🐾 Sit-stay on a platform
He’s 14 weeks old and has been training for just 3 weeks.
We start with lots of reinforcement and gradually fade the frequency as the dog learns and matures. But rewards never disappear completely — we continue to reinforce the behaviours we want to maintain.
Would you like to see the reinforcement schedule used with Peanut by the same trainer, using the same technique?
Comment below!
