Abc Dog Training

06/19/2026

Happy Friday! ❤️
Have a great weekend with your dogs. 🐶

06/16/2026

Agility fun runs are happening at Practice Makes Pawfect, LLC on Saturday. It’s a great way to practice your skills at a new location.

06/16/2026

Tuesday’s Training Tip…

I can’t agreement enough; just because I dog has come up to you, doesn’t mean they want to be petted. Just because someone wants to pet your dog, doesn’t mean your dog wants to be petted.

Respect the dog and what they want.

🐾 Not every dog wants to be touched — and that's okay.

Dogs are not public property, and we should never assume that an unfamiliar (or even familiar) dog is inviting interaction just by being present.

The golden rule: don't approach unknown dogs. Give them space, stay relaxed, look slightly away, and let them come to you.

And even when a dog does approach you, sniffing, standing nearby, or coming close is NOT necessarily an invitation to pat them. Wait for clearer signals — loose, relaxed body language, leaning into your leg, gentle eye contact, a nudge, a paw, or a play bow. Those are consent.

Once you have those signals, you can ask their guardian if it's okay to interact. Keep it brief, and pause to check if they want to continue.

🚫 Avoid: patting on the head, pushing your hand in their face, hugging, or overwhelming them with too many people or too much intensity.

⚠️ Signs a dog is uncomfortable: lip licking, yawning, looking away, moving away, ears pinned back, tail tucked, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing) — and of course snapping or growling, which is an immediate request for more space.

This applies to children too — teaching kids that unknown dogs are not to be approached is one of the most important lessons we can pass on.

I've put together an infographic breaking all of this down — save it and share it! 👆

And if you want to go deeper, I've also made a video exploring whether people should even have the expectation to pat an unknown dog — and why "asking first" doesn't always make it okay 👇
📺 https://youtu.be/K2D8cOGUhs4

06/15/2026

06/14/2026

If you are interested in some fun ABCDogTraining merchandise, check it out. Show your love for your dog and training.

CUSTOM CHANGES: (PUT REQUESTS IN THE NOTES SECTION) REQUEST, small image on front left chest and/or large image back. Sleeve printing available. *Request ladies cut tee or v-neck

06/11/2026

Some cool summer treats for our hot dogs this summer.

17 frozen homemade dog treats that are canine-safe and friendly. Homemade dog treat can be made with a few ingredients and take only a few minutes.

06/11/2026

If you’re coming out to train, be sure to check out our new backyard Farm Stand located in the training field. 😊

Delicious fresh eggs are $5 a dozen 🥚. Plus, some fun tug toys available. 🐾

06/09/2026

Tuesday’s Training Tip…
Super Bowls is not just a great game for reactive dogs, not for all dogs that need better leash skills too.

🐾 The SuperBowls pattern game from Leslie McDevitt's Control Unleashed® program is one of the most practical tools you can add to your training toolkit. And the concept is beautifully simple.

You place several colourful bowls in a line on the floor. Then you wait. The moment your dog looks up at you, you mark it with a "yes!" and drop a treat into the next bowl. You walk the line together, bowl by bowl, and repeat the loop.

That's it. But here's what makes it so powerful 👇

🟡 The predictable pattern gives your reactive dog structure and calm in an otherwise unpredictable world.

👁️ Your dog's eye contact becomes a start button. Their way of saying "I'm ready to keep going." If they look away, the game simply pauses. No pressure. No punishment. The dog is always in control of the pace.

🐕 Because the dog controls when the game continues, this isn't just a focus exercise. It is a counterconditioning procedure with built-in choice. That combination is what makes it so effective for dogs who struggle around triggers.

You start at home with zero distractions, then gradually introduce mild stimuli nearby. A stationary bicycle, a stuffed dog, eventually the real thing. Always at a distance your dog can handle.

One small step at a time. 🐾

📥 I put together an illustrated step-by-step guide you can download, print, and keep on your fridge or share with anyone you like (and you will support my work by doing so):
👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/trainmeplease/e/546548

▶️ Watch the full explanation on YouTube:
👉 https://youtu.be/wGs394SlbNM

This post is inspired by the SuperBowls pattern game from Control Unleashed® by Leslie McDevitt. All credit to Leslie for this wonderful tool. We just love sharing it with our community. 🐶

06/02/2026

The 6:15 and 7:30 agility classes are canceled for this evening due to the weather. ☔️