Zoom Room Dog Training

02/18/2025

The answer is yes. It is considered very good practice to rotate your dog’s toys regularly.

Rotating toys helps prevent boredom by keeping playtime fresh and interesting. Dogs like humans get bored with the same thing all day, every day.

This also create mental stimulation by activating your dog’s curiosity and can help keep your dog’s mind active.

Also, different toys are for different types of play so this can also keep them interested because their interaction with each toy is different as well as their interaction with you and that toy. For example, a tug toy means more interaction with their human while toy puzzles are perfect for solo play.

The frequency of rotation depends on each dog. If you notice that after a week, your dog seems to play less with their toys try trading them out. If they currently have all of their toys out, try putting a couple away and then bring them out and see their reaction.

If you dog has an absolute, can’t-live-without toy, then you can leave that one out all of the time as long as there is not an unhealthy attachment to the toy.

02/18/2025

Do you have the luck of the Irish?

Come join us for our St. Patrick’s Day party.

We’ll be playing obedience games like Jeopardy, Simon Says and Red Light/Green Light. You and your dog will have fun challenging your obedience skills and knowledge while having fun with your fellow dog-loving friends.

We’ll also have food, drinks, and more.

02/18/2025

Here are some tips & tricks for using the KONG toy:

- Start by stuffing it with a mix of your dog’s regular kibble and a soft, spreadable treat like peanut butter or pumpkin to seal the openings.
- For a longer lasting challenge, freeze the stuffed Kong before giving it to your dog
- Gradually increase the difficulty by adding layers of different textures and food types as your dog gets more adept at extracting the treats.
- Supervise your dog while they’re playing with a KONG, especially if they are new to the toy.

Check out our selection of KONG toys from the retail section!

02/12/2025

Sometimes our puppy will put on the brakes while we are out for a walk. Don’t worry, there are a few steps we can take to help them get going again.

First: Be sure to keep your leash loose at all times.

-Go back to your puppy and use a treat lure or toy to encourage them continue forward

-Go back to your puppy and use a happy voice to encourage them to follow you as you take excited steps backwards

-Crouch down in front of your puppy and use your body and voice to encourage them to come to you

If all else fails, pick up your puppy and stop the walk, they may just be too overstimulated to continue. The next time you go on a walk, make it shorter so your puppy can stay within threshold.

02/11/2025

02/11/2025

Naptime is crucial for your puppy’s healthy development, here’s why:

Naptime allows puppies to recharge energy, process new information they’ve learned, support physical growth by releasing growth hormones during deep sleep, and ultimately contribute to better behavior and cognitive abilities by ensuring they are well-rested and able to focus during training sessions.

Important factors to consider about puppy Naptime:

1. Sleep Duration — Puppies typically need between 18-20 hours of sleep per day, significantly more than adult dogs.
2. Creating a Routine — Establishing consistent nap times throughout the day helps puppies develop a healthy sleep pattern.
3. Quiet Environment — Provide a calm and comfortable space for your puppy to nap, like a crate or designated sleeping area.

02/10/2025

Enrichment is crucial for puppies as it provides essential mental and physical stimulation, helping to prevent behavioral issues, and promotes healthy development.

Doing enrichment with your pups helps strengthen your bond with them by allowing them to explore their natural instincts through engaging activities like sniffing, chewing, and problem-solving.

Ultimately this leads to a happier and more well-adjusted dog!

Neglecting enrichment can result in boredom, anxiety, and destructive behaviors.

Even just 15 minutes of enrichment time everyday can produce many benefits for your puppy!

02/08/2025

Dental hygiene is a crucial part of raising a happy and healthy dog. Neglecting your dog’s teeth can lead to serious health issues like gum disease, tooth loss, bad breath, and even potential complications with the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Regular brushing with a pet-specific toothpaste and toothbrush is the most effective way to maintain dental health.

Dental chews are treats designed to clean your dog’s teeth and massage their gums. Choose dental chews that are specifically designed to help remove plaque and tartar, but ensure that they are appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing habits.

02/04/2025

Are lick mats actually good for dogs teeth you may ask and why yes they are!

There are many reasons why a lick mat is good for a dog. They can alleviate stress, create mental stimulation for dogs if their exercise life doesn’t tire them out and it promotes healthy teeth and gums.

How lick mats promote teeth and gums is by stimulating saliva production through the licking action, which naturally cleans the teeth and gums by removing food particles and bacteria. The textured surface of the mat acts like a gentle scraper to further clean the tongue and gum loins, helping reduce plaque build up and freshen your pups breathe. Essentially the repetitive licking motion acts as a form of natural oral hygiene.

02/03/2025

Chewing can help relieve teething pains, clean teeth, reduce plaque buildup, and reduce destructive behaviors.

Bite n’ Brush is designed to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath while providing enrichment.

Check out the Bite n’ Brush from our retail section!

02/02/2025

Check out our retail section for a selection of FouFit puzzle toys! These puzzle toys provide tons of pockets and little places to hide treats, giving your dog several different enrichment puzzles all in one toy!

01/31/2025

A long line is a leash that is 10+ feet long.

You can use this longer leash to practice skills that will eventually be performed while off leash.

The benefits of using a long line is that you can still have control of your dog, but your dog gets more freedom in choice making.

Practicing recall (your dog coming when called), Off Leash Walking, Threshold Practice (waiting at doorways, gates, or thresholds before rushing through)

01/31/2025

Teaching a dog to “calm down” as part of positive reinforcement training helps them develop self-control and manage their emotions in a constructive way.

Here’s why it works:
1. Encourages Relaxation – Rewarding a dog when they exhibit calm behavior reinforces the idea that being relaxed leads to positive outcomes, like treats, praise, or petting.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety – Dogs that learn to calm down on command can better cope with stressful situations, preventing unwanted behaviors like barking, jumping, or chewing.
3. Strengthens Impulse Control – Many dogs struggle with excitement or overstimulation. Teaching “calm down” as a skill helps them regulate their energy levels and respond appropriately to different environments.
4. Builds a Stronger Bond – When a dog learns that staying calm earns rewards, they associate relaxation with positive interactions with their owner, improving communication and trust.
5. Prevents Unwanted Behaviors – Instead of punishing hyperactivity or excitability, positive reinforcement redirects the dog’s focus toward desirable behaviors, making training more effective and enjoyable.

01/29/2025

You don’t want to miss out on this Valentine’s party.

We are throwing a bash celebrating the bond between you and your pup.

Events include:
A doggy painting project
Kissing contest
Valentine exchange
Meet Your Match raffle
Cranberry Puptinis (for the pooches)
And more

This event is selling out quickly so get your spot now.

$15 to attend. Sign up before January 31st and receive an 20% early bird discount ($12.50 with the discount).
Cost covers all the events listed above.

Sign up on zoomroom.com/hillsboro, call us, or come on in and say hi.

01/28/2025

When you take your dog out for an adventure or even a quick car ride, keeping a leash, loaded treat pouch, and clicker with you is always a great idea!

Taking them out for an impromptu training session around different distractions or even in novel areas will help strengthen their core commands as well as improve their ability to focus on you!

An extra tip is to keep a special treat pouch for these impromptu training sessions loaded with different treats you don’t normally give to your pup, this will help retain their interest!

A loud clicker might be a good thing to have on hand as well for those more distracting, louder areas you might train in.

01/27/2025

Licking can be self-soothing when a dog feels nervous, anxious, or bored.

The Soothing Saucer is designed to promote licking to help reduce your dog’s anxiety, stress, and boredom. The rolling ball inside the saucer dispenses a Soothing Sauce that’s made with all-natural calming ingredients.

The Soothing Saucer is great for:
- Thunderstorms
- Fireworks
- Loud noises
- Gatherings
- Surplus of energy
- Changes in routine
- Travel
- Vet visits

Check out the Soothing Saucer from our retail section!

01/27/2025

Here are some tips for enrichment activities to do with your dog that you can set up using things around your household:

1. Muffin tin game — place a few treats/pieces of kibble in a muffin tin and cover them with tennis balls or toys to create a little food puzzle for your dog.

2. Roll treats into a towel — lay a towel flat on the floor and sprinkle treats or kibble onto it, then roll up the towel to create another food puzzle option for your dog.

3. Homemade obstacle course — Try using broomsticks, or PVC pipes placed on blocks or boxes, or use a piece of tape and a doorway to create a jump. Drape a blanket over spaced out chairs or use a long cardboard box as a tunnel. Use cones, poles, PVC pipes or pool noodles to create a weave setup.

4. DIY tug toys — cut three strands of an old towel, washcloth or old clothing and braid them, make sure to tie a knot at each end.

5. Nature boxes/scent boxes — Place things from your outside environment (pinecones, rocks, branches, plants, etc.) in a cardboard box to let your dog sniff.

01/24/2025

Positive reinforcement dog training is considered less stressful because it focuses on rewarding desired behaviors with treats, praise, or toys, creating a positive association with learning and reducing the need for aversive methods like yelling or physical corrections which can cause anxiety and fear in the dog, leading to a more relaxed and engaged training experience for both the dog and owner; essentially, the dog is motivated to learn by earning rewards rather than fearing punishment.

Key points about why positive reinforcement is less stressful:

Reduces fear and anxiety: By avoiding punishment, dogs are less likely to feel anxious or fearful during training, which can lead to stress-related behaviors.

Builds a stronger bond: Positive reinforcement fosters a positive relationship between the dog and owner, as the dog associates the trainer with positive experiences and rewards.

Improves motivation: When dogs know they will be rewarded for good behavior, they are more likely to actively participate in training and try new things.

Focuses on desired behaviors: Positive reinforcement training focuses on actively reinforcing the behaviors you want to see, rather than trying to suppress unwanted behaviors through punishment.

01/06/2024

Socialization is the most important thing for a new puppy! Get them comfortable with other dogs, sights, smells, textures, and sounds!

Start your puppy's socialization TODAY at a Zoom Room near you!

01/01/2024

Happy New Year!!!! We are so excited to see you all in classes in 2024!

12/31/2023

It's almost time..... 2024 here we come!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from your Zoom Room Family!

12/25/2023

It is Christmas Eve!!!!

12/22/2023

Take advantage of our awesome gift card sales! Purchase a gift card online or in store TODAY!

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving from your Zoom Room Family🤎🧡🍁

11/19/2023

This weekend we welcome our very first Zoom Room in New York City - Welcome to the world Zoom Room Chelsea!

10/18/2023

This past weekend we opened TWO more Zoom Rooms! Zoom Room Williamsburg and Zoom Room San Antonio! Congratulations to both, we can't wait to watch you grow!

10/05/2023

Having a blast at Doggy Disco! Find a playgroup near you at zoomroom.com today!!

10/03/2023

Tricks Class is waiting for you! Sign up now and make fetch happen!

09/11/2023

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08/26/2023

We are waiting for you! Head to zoomroom.com or give us a call any time to get signed up for classes!

08/23/2023

As you start settling into your new back to school schedule, help your dog settle in too! Here are 3 tips and tricks to help prep your pup for the new changes!

08/21/2023

We've had several Grand Openings in the last few weeks! Zoom Rooms have opened their doors in:
Chandler, Arizona
Chicago, Illinois
Wake Forest, North Carolina
Naples, Florida

And we have many more to come! Congratulations everyone - welcome to the world!

07/31/2023

Another Big Weekend for Zoom Room! Coming to you from the Houston area, is Zoom Room Tomball! We can't wait to see you grow!

07/31/2023

Another big weekend for Zoom Room! Zoom Room Scottsdale, Welcome to the world!

07/19/2023

Just a few days ago, Zoom Room opened it's first location in Kansas, with a few more in the pipeline! Kansas City - Overland Park, welcome to the world! We can't wait to watch you grow!