Double Bond Dog Training

06/13/2026

Sometimes clients ask me what to do if a loose dog approaches your dog when it's on a leash. That is a hard one to answer, because it depends on so many factors. However, this just happened to me. I was walking my dog, Iko, and another dog, a large black lab type mix, was jumping, lunging and barking towards us. He then slipped out of his collar and the owner had no control. I was pretty sure the approaching dog was mostly friendly but he was coming in hot and assertively. At the same time, I was pretty sure Iko would respond aggressively to the way the dog was running towards us. I took ahold of Iko's collar and placed my body between the approaching dog and Iko. I kept close to Iko's head so he couldn't bite. As the other dog came in I tried to move Iko away, but the dog ran right up and physically began sniffing and running around us. I used my body to block the interaction as much as possible, but ended up having to push and eventually slightly kick the other dog away. It then ran off.

The interesting thing was that I was quite shaken up, but Iko was largely unrattled. I think it was because he felt safe with the way I took quick action.

I wouldn't say this is always the best way. By putting myself in between the loose dog and my own, I risked being bitten by the stranger dog. I would say that if your dog trusts you to keep him safe, these types of interactions are less likely to result in long term trama.

05/25/2026

I've been wanting to learn how to use whistles for my herding dogs but kept putting it off because it seemed daunting. I felt like I needed to have mastery of the whistle, have decided upon whistles for each cue/command, mastered each of them and then finally teach them all to the dogs. This is complicated by the fact that there is no one universal set of whistles for herding, so each video you watch or person you try to emulate does it differently.

Then I saw a video where one of the whistles (for a recall) was the same one I sometimes use with my mouth. I decided to start there, and that whistle for my "that'll" do cue. A cue to tell the dog he is done working and to come back to me.

So in a way I often suggest training new cues to my clients and their dogs, I came up with a way to break it down into smaller pieces. I will begin with practicing the whistle in my car. Just that one sound. First getting consistency, then same sound louder and softer. At the same time I am going to introduce my mouth whistle to the dogs, according to the New Cue, Old Cue method. (NO). I'll whistle, wait a second, then say to the dog "that'll do". I'll keep repeating until they understand my mouth whistle. Hopefully by then, I'll have mastered the mechanical whistle and it will be an easy task to have them understand the same sound whether using the mechanical or my mouth whistle.

I often tell people my dogs know two languages- regular obedience terms and herding terms. For example: come = that'll do, stay= wait. If I keep this up, they'll know 3 languages!

01/22/2026

It’s cold and icky outside and your dog is probably ready to use his brain for good!
Come join my CGC prep class. It starts this Monday night at 7 pm at Shrewsbury Community Center. Class will be taught by me, through the Greater St. Louis Training Club.

Sign up here

12/31/2025

I try to provide my dogs (and cats) with extra enrichment when we are spending more time inside. I love the West Paws Tupple. I moisten kibble with water or broth and freeze them to use as a meal subsititue. I use dental chews strategically as rewards for nail clipping, or getting teeth brushed. And of course the food puzzles are fun.
I like to get creative. The cats love a new box. Sometimes I set them sideways, sometimes I put cardboard scratchers inside. Sometime I just move them around the house.
I also LOVE TP tubes. I fold over the ends and put a treat inside. It's surprizing how hard it is to get the treat out when you don't have an opposible thumb. Fun for cats and dogs!
What do you do for indoor enrichement?

12/20/2025

Having guests over for the holidays?

In order to keep greetings polite and calm, consider putting your dog on a leash as people arrive. Ask guests to approach calmly and quietly. If your dog gets too excited, ask the guests to step back until he is calm.

If your dog is struggling, consider putting him in a crate in another room. You can turn on calming music or the TV to help muffle sounds.

12/03/2025

How do you keep your dogs enriched when the weather is cold?

Enrichment is more than going for walks, but can include many aspects of meeting your pet's emotional, mental and physical needs.

In the winter months, you can add to your pets nutritional enrichment using snuffle mats, food puzzles and frozen food treats. I mix kibble and water or low sodium broth and let it sit until mushy. I then fill up my West Paw Toppls and freeze. I then use as a meal substitute. Since I use just kibble, I am not adding extra calories or using 'junk food'/

Buy West Paw Limited Edition Toppl Dog Toy, Periwinkle, X-Large at Chewy.com. FREE shipping and the BEST customer service!