Mad Dog Training Co.

10/20/2026

Puppies are the definition of- “when you’re overtired but refuse to admit it” 🥱. Teaching them how to relax generally involves a little bit of protest, but it’s important to let them process and learn how to settle on their own when it’s asked of them.

Using a leash or a tether (it’s a form of communication!) is a great way to help them learn to do nothing! It can be hard to watch our pups whine or bark in moments of frustration and our instinct is often to step in (usually with touch) to try to make them feel better. Sometimes giving them some space to work through it on their own is the best thing we can do 💕.

Making sure they can problem solve, settle on their own and handle manageable levels of stress helps build confidence and in this case, helps them to learn how to relax. We’re not aiming to ignore their needs or let them struggle, the goal is to give them the opportunity to learn that they can overcome challenges and reach a calmer state of mind successfully on their own 💫.

09/24/2026

It’s a common misconception that we should just “let dogs figure it out” 🤔. Allowing dogs to communicate with each other appropriately is absolutely important, but it’s also our job to play a role in teaching clear boundaries and how to respect space. That starts with how we let them to move in and out of our space, how we move in and out of their space and how we allow other humans and animals to do the same.

⁉️ Are we consistent and predictable? Do expectations remain the same regardless of the situation? Is there a clear way for us to invite our dogs into our space as well as get them out? When your dog communicates a reasonable boundary do you respect it? Are other people and dogs allowed to come into their space whenever and wherever and vice versa?

Each dog does not have to be involved in everything and they don’t need to constantly engage with each other either. One should be able to get undivided attention without others trying to take it. They should be able to coexist comfortably, but still be confident doing their own thing. Are some dogs best friends who love to cuddle up and romp together that can communicate in a way that they both understand and respect? Sure! But that doesn’t mean that is every multi dog relationship. The goal is a good relationship where they feel comfortable sharing space and understand boundaries. That starts with us leading them and teaching the appropriate way to respect those things, while trusting us to step in if necessary 💫.

09/08/2026

Yes- trainers have unscripted, hilarious moments with the dogs that may not be the ideal behavior, but sometimes it’s allowed to just be funny. It’s called ✨ balance ✨.

We hope everyone’s bounced back from their long end of summer weekend just as well as Dilly did from this impeccable launch 🚀.

09/07/2026

Puppies are the masters of two modes:😴 or🤪. One second they’re tearing through the house creating paths of mass destruction and the next they’re passed out, belly up, sleeping through an apocalypse. Unfortunately, it can be hard to stop the 🤪 and they only 😴 for short periods on their time.

Young puppies can require as much as 20 hours of sleep⚠️ in a 24 hour period, but the majority of the time they aren’t going to make the decision on their own. It’s tempting to give our puppies all the freedom in the world, while simultaneously wanting to smother them. There’s no quick fix to help our puppies learn how to regulate themselves but finding a consistent schedule and routine for potty, feeding, play, training and sleep is a great place to start! Making sure we find ways fulfill our dog’s biological and enrichment needs plays an important role in their overall well being as well.

Puppies bring so much joy and a lot of 💕… and can also have you running on 4 hours of sleep, with holes in all your clothes (maybe some teeth marks on your hands 😲), feeling like you’re on an emotional roller coaster. Working with a trainer from the start can help set you up for success and shape behaviors from early on. Mad Dog offers programs with varying levels of trainer involvement- depending on how much support you need with your sweet baby alligator! Check out our website (⬆️linked in our bio⬆️), to see what program best fits your needs.

09/04/2026

How was Walter supposed to know this weekend wasn’t about him? Isn’t it always? 🤔 Mad Dog Training Co. is taking a long weekend to end the summer and we will talk to you all again, Tuesday! Enjoy the weekend! ☀️

09/02/2026

🚨Unpopular opinion- humans don’t need to retrieve a toy if a dog is physically capable of getting on their own. Why? While the general consensus may be that makes them a monster👹 it actually helps build confidence, enable problem solving skills, and create clear rules during play.

Dogs will often bark, whine, paw, and look 👀 to you when they’re trying to retrieve a toy from under the couch, in between two things, next to an unfamiliar object, on a textured surface, etc. Most of the time they are unsure of how to get to it and anxious/fearful about the space and surrounding objects. By getting it for them every single time, it reinforces that they should be afraid and it doesn’t teach them to use their brain and try something different. So help them out a bit, support them, guide them (maybe put on a leash for extra support), but don’t do it for them!

Everyone knows the sequence- dog gets toy stuck, human gets the toy, dog gets toy stuck again, dog barks, humans gets the toy, ♾️. Unless that’s a game you’re interested in playing forever, help your dog figure out how to retrieve the toy! If during play a toy is unintentionally thrown and stuck somewhere, or a dog is shaking a toy and it flies out of their mouth inadvertently into an unsafe area, of course help your dog!!! But if it’s intentionally dropped, pushed, nudged into an inaccessible location more than once, neutrally grab the toy and cue “enough” or whatever cue communications to your dog the game is over. Every. Single. Time.

If consistent, dogs will learn that if they want to continue to play, that behavior doesn’t grant them the outcome they’re looking for. It’s our job to communicate boundaries and expectations clearly so there’s a mutual understanding and predictability. Dogs will offer and display behaviors they’re confident in and believe will produce the outcome they want. It’s up to you 👉🏻to show them how they get there!

08/28/2026

Luckily, we still get to spend time with Ebi for weekly drop in visits to help refresh old skills and work on new challenges (we’re currently getting her extra comfy in a travel bag for an upcoming trip)🥰. Being a little dachshund in a big city can be tough, and despite unplanned challenges, these two put in the time and work to get where they wanted to be, we just gave them the tools to get there. We’re so happy we get to continue to watch their progress and share it here, too! 🐾

08/26/2026

When you think back to all the dogs you’ve worked with, you don’t necessarily remember all the tiny details about their training plan, how long you worked with them, how many times you succeeded or failed, but what you do remember is the feeling of trust and connection when they looked up at you from the other end of the leash, communicating so much with so little effort, again and again.💜

08/25/2026

08/21/2026

Trainers spend a lot of time getting to know their clients, dog and human, asking so many questions, listening to concerns, observing behaviors- there’s phone calls and virtual sessions and consultations and follow ups. We want to know the full picture and all the details so we can make sure we’re setting you and your dog up for success from the start! 🥳

So it only seems fair that before you choose a trainer that’s the right fit for you and your pup, you get to know a little about us as well! As your training progresses, we always learn more about each other, but here’s a little “meet your trainer” to get you started! 💬