Work Smart Dog Training

Work Smart Dog Training Taking your relationship with your dog to the next level of Happiness, Obedience, and Confidence.

Our training foundation is built from our holistic approach to a Happy, Calm and Confident Dog :

The Body ,

The Mind ,

and The Environment.

11/16/2025

If you have your signals (markers) locked in, you are ready to begin food luring and Tug Reward obedience.

Do not skip foundations, and make your life easier.

11/09/2025

🐾 Healthy E-Collar Use: Clarity, Confidence, and Communication

At Work Smart Dog Training, we utilize the e-collar tool because — when used correctly and as instructed — it’s the fastest and most reliable way to build safety and trust.

✅ It’s essential for recalls that protect your dog from danger,
✅ And for preventing predation behaviors when little ones, other pets, or “squeaky” things in motion trigger instinct.

A healthy e-collar program is always built on clarity:

1️⃣ Known Behaviors – We only layer the e-collar over commands your dog already understands. It’s not for teaching — it’s for refining communication.

2️⃣ Clear Resolution – There’s always a right answer that leads to success — like “Come” or “Place.” This builds confidence and calm decision-making.

3️⃣ Motivation + Relationship – The collar isn’t the motivator — you are. We pair it with your dog’s natural drives: play, food, affection, and praise.

When used properly, the e-collar creates calm, reliable, and safe dogs who thrive through structure, predictability, and consistent feedback.

It’s not about control — it’s about clear, compassionate communication that keeps everyone safe and confident. ❤️

11/07/2025

Full Circle 🌀

Sometimes life reminds us that everything truly comes full circle — and dogs have a way of teaching that better than anyone.

In this video, you’ll see Toast and me working on obedience through play — because for dogs, play is the language of learning. It’s where confidence, trust, and joy meet structure.

This session was all about helping Toast build secondary control — a crucial skill when there’s a baby in the home. It’s not just about obedience; it’s about emotional maturity, balance, and self-control.

Big feelings need big outlets, and this kind of training gives dogs the space to release their power and energy safely and productively.
Avoid doing these drills inside the house — your home should signal calm, relaxation, and sleep.

Couldn’t be prouder of Toasty. Watching him grow into a confident, emotionally balanced dog has been a gift — and we’re just getting started.

Trainer — Notes

Some behaviors must be suppressed, reduced, or extinguished for lasting change.

Rules and boundaries are first established through negative reinforcement — creating clarity and accountability.

Once good behavior is established, it should be followed by positive reinforcement, using toy play or real-life rewards to strengthen the dog’s motivation and confidence.

11/06/2025

Some of the greatest learning comes from working with the dogs who need us the most — not the easy or compliant ones, but those who struggle, get stuck, the rescued.

These dogs, and their incredible owners, are the ones I’ll forever be grateful for. There are always two sides to the process: learning the dog and learning the owner — understanding what each needs individually so both can grow together.

08/21/2025

👉 Remember: a “No” is not for teaching—it’s for finishing. Used rarely, intentionally, and with the right guidance, it can be powerful. Without a plan, it’s just noise.

08/20/2025

Fluency One: Activation Markers + The Name

Step 1 — Activation Markers (start here):

• “Yes” or a click = a fast signal that a reward is coming.

• Pay from both right and left hands. This builds flexibility and randomization, which keeps things exciting and interesting for your dog (earned dopamine response).

Step 2 — The Name (your dog’s first word):

•The Name has one purpose: turn head and look at you in the eyes.

•Nothing else — not sitting, pawing, or walking over — just a head turn + eyes on you.

•🧍 Think of being in a crowded room: when someone says your name, you don’t run or sit — you simply turn your head to look at who called you. That’s exactly what we want from our dogs.

⸻

✅ Action Plan (quick session)

•5 reps: Yes → right hand (reward)
•5 reps: Yes → left hand (reward)
•5 reps: Click → right hand (reward)
•5 reps: Click → left hand (reward)
•10 reps: Name → dog turns head + eyes on you → mark + reward

⸻

🎯 The Name Challenge (at-home test)

At random times when your dog is lounging/relaxed, say their Name:

•✅ Pass: dog only turns head + eyes to you and holds for 5–10 seconds.

•❌ Not yet: if they sit, down, paw, or walk over, they don’t truly know their Name yet — keep building Fluency One.

Best 🐕

Tim G.

Friends of Woodstock and surrounding area -These two well tempered and cared for dogs walked up in the heat of the day y...
07/31/2025

Friends of Woodstock and surrounding area -

These two well tempered and cared for dogs walked up in the heat of the day yesterday looking for their home.

They are untagged and not chipped.

Please share so we can get them back home.

Emily Macuga
7703428128
425 mountain mist dr
Woodstock, GA 30188

07/20/2025

🐾 Feeling Overwhelmed with Your Dog? You're Not Alone. 🐾

Whether you're welcoming home a rescue with a rough past, navigating the chaos of a puppy , adolescent dog, or trying to bring balance to a senior with long-standing habits—you are not alone, and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

At Work Smart Dog Training, we know the journey can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even discouraging at times. But we also know this truth:
Dogs grow—and so do we.
Every moment of challenge is also a chance to lead, learn, and build something lasting.

Here’s a quick checklist and some powerful Do’s and Don’ts to help you get grounded and lead with clarity:

✅ Essential Structure Checklist

Crate = Calm – Use the crate proactively, not just reactively

Structured Walks – No pulling, no sniffing, just following

Daily Leadership Rituals – Leash drills, Place, thresholds

Clear Markers – Use "Yes," "No," and e-collar tone consistently

Tie-Out or Leash Control Indoors – Freedom is earned

Predictable Routines – Dogs thrive on rhythm and rules

🚫 Do’s & Don’ts for Success

DO:
✔ Be consistent, even when it's hard
✔ Correct early, calmly, and clearly
✔ Set up the environment for success (low stimulation, clear boundaries)
✔ Reward calm, not chaos
✔ Trust the process—progress, not perfection

DON’T:
✘ Assume affection will fix confusion
✘ Let guilt rewrite your structure
✘ Free-roam or cohabitate too soon with other pets
✘ Wait for escalation before stepping in
✘ Give up before the dog fully understands

💬 Struggling with something specific? Drop us a message or give us a call. We’re here to meet you where you are—and help you lead your dog to where they can be.

Work Smart. Train Smarter. Live Better.
🔗 worksmartdogtraining.com
📞 770-624-9696

07/07/2025

Before your dog can thrive in a social setting, they need to relax. In this video, we show how a calm pause at the start can make all the difference. Confidence, focus, and better behavior all start here. 🐾

Address

Roswell, GA
30075

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+17706249696

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