2 Dog Trail Positive Dog Training

06/14/2025

06/09/2025

Most dogs do not like to be hugged. (One study suggested only 7.6% seemed to be comfortable with hugging!) At best, your dog might tolerate it.

And even if your dog is tolerant of being hugged or happens to be one of the rare dogs who enjoys it, this is **not something we want to model** for children to learn.

We do not want children learning that it is OK to hug or kiss dogs or they will go to a neighbor's house and hug that dog. And chances are, that dog will not be tolerant of hugging, and that's when bites happen. 77% of dog bites happen from familiar dogs, not stray or unfamiliar dogs.

Let's model safe, appropriate interactions with dogs when around children. If it is not something that you would want a child to do, then you should not be doing it!
This includes not just whether you hug or kiss the dog but ALL your interactions - training methods, play, respect, handling, and how you speak to them. Read more in my post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/06/03/setting-good-example-for-children

06/09/2025

Copycat MarroBone Treats for Dogs

Ingredients:
– 1 cup oat flour
– 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded or finely chopped)
– 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or water)
– 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (unsweetened)
– 1 tbsp olive oil or flaxseed oil
– 1 egg
– 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional, for flavor and B vitamins)

Supplements (optional):
– 1 tsp ground flaxseed (for fiber and omega-3s)
– 1/2 tsp calcium powder (for bone support)

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). In a food processor, blend the chicken and yogurt until smooth. Add egg, oil, and broth and blend again. In a separate bowl, combine oat flour, nutritional yeast, flaxseed, and calcium powder if using. Add the wet mixture to the dry and knead into a dough. Roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a small bone-shaped cookie cutter to cut treats. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until firm and lightly golden. Let cool on a wire rack.

Storage:
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.

Benefits:
These treats are rich in protein and healthy fats, support skin, coat, and muscle health, and are inspired by the texture of MarroBones without artificial fillers.

Calorie Information:
Each treat contains approximately 30–40 kcal depending on size and shape.

06/09/2025

Happy 3rd Book Birthday to The Original Rocket Recall! I wish sweet Cailie were still on this earth to celebrate with me. Birthday savings for all the Rocket Recall products coming soon. On this very day three years ago, I was anxious, elated, confident, and feeling accomplished (albeit a bit frenzied), having published my first book. So many talented people helped me with the interior and exterior design, illustrations, photos, and editing. It took a team of people to nurture this book to its birth on May 23, 2022. I'm still grateful to Eileen Anderson, Tyler Barber, , Mighty Dog Graphics, , and Bonita Ash for their talents in creating a book that has helped so many dog guardians understand how to teach a reliable turn-on-a-dime recall without the use of shock, fear, force, coercion, or intimidation. The win is for the dogs!

06/09/2025

If your dog has a behavior problem, now's the time to fix it so you can get back to enjoying life together.

For the next few days we're offering 75% off our Behavior Problems Compendium, with detailed guidance on how to resolve all the most common dog behavior problems: https://dunbar.info/apr25bpc

No matter what behavior problem it is, the first step is usually the same: Stop feeding your dog from a bowl. You could feed your dog pretty much any other way and it would be more beneficial.

- If your dog has a fearfulness, reactivity, or aggression problem, you can use food to build confidence and help your dog feel better and more relaxed in specific situations, or in the presence of specific stimuli.

- If your dog gets into trouble when you're not around you can use food to give your dog a suitable way to pass their time, chewing on hollow, food-filled chewtoys, rooting around in a snuffle mat, or eating from a mentally stimulating puzzle feeder, and you can use food to teach your dog to enjoy settling down on their bed, in their playpen, in their crate, or anywhere.

- If your dog doesn't listen to you or do what you ask, you can use food to teach your dog to perform useful skills on cue, reliably and promptly. Food is so useful for starting the process of Lure Reward Training. It may not be the answer to long-term motivation for your dog, but it's such a valuable tool for teaching and communicating with your dog as you start to incorporate more meaningful life rewards in training.

So, if you want to change something about your dog's behavior or temperament, use their food. It's so powerful and when you use food in training, we believe it becomes more meaningful, appreciated, and enjoyable to your dog.

Of course, if your dog doesn't have any behavior problems then you can ignore this advice. Feed your dog however you like. Or however they like!

Learn more at: https://dunbar.info/BetterThanABowl

06/09/2025

05/29/2025

Just adopted ?
They really need to know YOU before anything else.
They need time to slow down and realise they may be safe....but they aren't in that safety bubble yet.
We may think they are because we are providing them with what they need....but they have been through a LOT!
This is where decompression comes in.
It relaxes....it can help dogs to calm down.
It also clears a path to helping your new buddy realise they ARE safe.