Maggie Marshall Dog Training

16/08/2025

💦🐶 Did you know dogs are associative learners?
That means they don’t just learn “sit” or “stay”—they’re constantly connecting actions, emotions, and environments.

This is why something that seems harmless—like letting your dog chase and bite at the water hose—can create a lot of unwanted trouble later.

Here’s what can happen:

🚫 Dogs may start chasing sprinklers, water from sinks, or even kids holding a water bottle.

🚫 The high arousal of “attacking” the water can spill over into other problem behaviors like lunging, nipping, or obsessing over moving objects.

🚫 They can develop fixations that are hard to turn off, leaving you with a frustrated and wound-up dog.

It might look funny in the moment, but what your dog is really learning is:
👉 “Moving water = attack mode.”

Instead, give your dog safe outlets for play and energy release—games that encourage calm engagement, clear rules, and self-control. Your dog will still have a blast, and you’ll avoid accidentally creating a behavior problem that could take weeks of training to undo.

🌟 Remember: Dogs don’t know the difference between a cute game and a future bad habit—they just know what gets them excited. And what they learn today becomes tomorrow’s behavior.

14/08/2025

Why a Professional Beats YouTube Every Time

I get it — there’s a video for everything these days. Type in your dog’s problem and you’ll find a dozen “quick fixes” on YouTube. But here’s the problem… dogs aren’t one-size-fits-all, and neither are their people.

That “miracle” method you saw online?
✅ It might work for that trainer’s dog in that specific situation…
❌ …but it may not work for your dog, in your home, with your challenges.

Professional training isn’t just about showing you a technique. It’s about:

Seeing the whole picture — your dog’s history, personality, and environment.

Adjusting on the spot when something doesn’t click.

Teaching YOU how to apply skills consistently so they actually stick.

Solving problems at the root, not just covering them up.

Being there to motivate you to keep going and hold you accountable when you want to quit.

I don’t just hand you a “how-to.” I guide you, step-by-step, in your real-life setting, so your dog learns what works for your household. That’s something no video can give you.

📍 If you’re ready to skip the trial-and-error and actually get results, I offer private, in-home training right here in Palm Beach County.

Schedule your appointment online Maggie Marshall Dog Training

10/08/2025

Dog bowls are among the dirtiest items in the home. Leftover food particles, saliva, and standing water quickly grow harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella. These germs can make your dog — and you — sick.

Through my work, I have seen so many things as a result of poor bowl choice or not keeping things clean; repeated episodes of diarrhea, chin acne, and ingested plastic. Yes, it's easy to just leave them on the floor, but a routine of washing them after use if best for all.

Food bowls: Wash after every meal with hot, soapy water or run through the dishwasher.

Water bowls: Wash at least once daily, more often if you see slime buildup.

Best bowl materials:
✅ Stainless steel – Durable, non-porous, and easy to sanitize.
✅ High-quality, lead-free ceramic – Sturdy, but check regularly for cracks or chips.

Worst bowl materials:
❌ Plastic – Scratches easily, trapping bacteria; can cause skin irritation.
❌ Low-quality ceramic – May contain lead and is prone to cracks.

Tip: Keep two sets of bowls so you can rotate and always have a clean set ready.
Clean bowls are one of the simplest ways to protect your dog’s health.

09/08/2025

This beautiful friendship is built on shared interests, quality time, clear communication and authority.

09/08/2025

🐾 Debunking the "Dog Years" Myth 🐾

You’ve probably heard the old saying that one dog year equals seven human years.
It’s a catchy idea… but not accurate. Dogs develop much faster in their first years and then slow down, so the math isn’t that simple.

Think of it this way:
📌 A 1-year-old dog is roughly like a human teenager.
📌 By age 2, your dog is about a young adult.
📌 After that, aging depends on size and breed — smaller dogs often stay spry longer, larger breeds age more quickly.

Here’s a better look at canine development:

0–2 weeks – Neonatal: Eyes and ears closed, dependent on mom.

2–4 weeks – Transitional: Eyes/ears open, starting to wobble and play.

3–12 weeks – Socialization Period: Prime time for meeting people, animals, sounds, and experiences.

3–6 months – Juvenile: Puppy teething, learning household rules, eager to play and explore.

6–18 months – Adolescent: High energy, testing boundaries (think teenager years).

2–5 years – Young Adult: Physically mature, mentally more settled with consistent training.

6–9 years – Mature Adult: Still active but slowing slightly.

9+ years – Senior: May need gentler exercise and extra comfort.

What can your dog learn — and when?

8–16 weeks: House training, name recognition, coming when called, gentle handling.

3–6 months: Basic obedience (sit, down, stay, loose-leash walking).

6–18 months: Reliable recall, manners around distractions, impulse control.

Adulthood: Advanced skills, off-leash reliability, specialized tasks.

Senior years: New tricks (yes, they can still learn!), low-impact games, mental enrichment.

💡 Bottom line: The first year sets the foundation for a lifetime. Start early, be consistent, and adjust your expectations as your dog matures.

I help families create realistic training plans for every stage of their dog’s life — because well-behaved dogs aren’t born, they’re made through understanding and practice.

06/08/2025

Dog training can be incredibly divisive!

It’s painful for me to watch my own Instagram feed.

Everyone has an opinion.

Everyone is passionate.

But your dog isn’t in an online debate.

You need training answers that work for you.

I ask what matters to you.

I learn about your routines, your values, your limits.

Then I explain your options with my personal recommendations.

We choose the path that makes the most sense to you, so you can actually follow through.

I’m not here to argue methods.

I’m here to help you follow through to get results.

Because honestly, all the methods work when applied correctly.

What matters most is your commitment to use them.

05/08/2025

https://maggiedogtraining.com/maggies-blog/maggiedogtrainingcom/yourcommitment

I am inviting you to read my blog; it's full of real, helpful information and insight that can help train your dog. Here is the latest post.

What is the secret to a well-trained dog? Let's get real and let go of unrealistic expectations, threats to get rid of the dog and making excuses for not showing up. You got the dog, now train it. I can help you learn the skills but only you can follow through and create the dog of your dreams.

03/08/2025

Dogs Need Rules — and So Do We

As a dog trainer, one of the first things I ask new clients is: What are your rules?

Can the dog jump on the couch? Are they allowed to bark at the window? Do they rush the door when guests arrive? Can they pull on leash, grab food from the counter, whine for attention?

Every home has different rules, but every dog needs rules—and more importantly, clear communication about what those rules are.

Dogs thrive when they know what’s expected. When we set boundaries and follow through with calm, consistent consequences, we create peace and freedom for both dog and owner. That’s real discipline—not punishment, but teaching and guiding.

02/08/2025

Leaving Your Dog Shouldn’t Feel Like a Crisis – But It Often Does

As both a dog trainer and dog owner, I completely understand the anxiety that comes with leaving your dog behind—whether it’s just for a workday or a weekend away. That pit in your stomach? The worry that your dog will be stressed, sad, or even panic in your absence? You’re not alone.

But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to feel this way—for you or your dog.

One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself (and your dog) is a calm, confident, resilient dog who can cope with being left. That kind of dog isn’t born—they’re made. Through training, routines, and exposure, we can help dogs learn that being alone isn’t scary… it’s just part of life.

🐾 My two favorite solutions:
1. Build relationships with a few great pet sitters or dog care professionals. Don’t wait until you’re desperate—start early. Introduce them while things are calm. Let your dog get to know them in short, positive visits.
2. Teach the skills your dog needs to handle separation well. That means practicing short absences, building tolerance, and reinforcing calm behavior. Confidence comes from knowing what to expect.

When you invest in your dog’s emotional skills, you’ll start to notice something beautiful: the more secure they become, the more free you feel.

Want help getting there? That’s exactly what I do.

Let’s make goodbye no big deal.

29/07/2025

Does Your Dog Go Nuts Over the UPS or FedEx Truck?

Ever wonder why your normally calm dog suddenly turns into a barking, lunging maniac when a delivery truck rolls by? You’re not alone—and as a dog trainer, I’ve seen this reaction more times than I can count.

Here’s my theory 👇
Dogs are super visual and incredibly tuned into movement, sound, and body language. When it comes to delivery trucks like UPS or FedEx, there are a few key triggers that might make your dog sound the alarm:

🔲 They look like they have faces
The front of a box truck often has a broad “face-like” shape: headlights like eyes, a grill like a mouth. To a dog, that looming “face” slowly approaching your home might register as a strange intruder.

🎵 They growl
Trucks idle differently than cars—there’s a low, rumbling growl that can sound threatening to sensitive canine ears. It’s not aggressive, but dogs don’t always know that.

🚛 They move differently
These trucks stop and start abruptly, back up with beeping sounds, and linger in your driveway or near your home. To a dog, this can feel unpredictable—and unpredictable = suspicious.

🏡 They come close to your territory
Dogs are naturally territorial. If a strange “creature” comes close to their home every single day, they’re going to keep trying to drive it off. And guess what? It works! The truck leaves. Every time. Your dog thinks their barking is successful.

✋ Training Tip:
Instead of yelling or dragging your dog away, try this: calmly create distance, mark and reward quiet behavior, and work on desensitizing your dog to the sights and sounds of the truck from a distance where they can stay calm. Over time, they’ll learn they don’t need to sound the alarm.

Got a truck-barking maniac at home? Drop a comment or message me—I can help turn your dog into a calm observer, even during prime delivery hours. 📦🐾

24/07/2025

I wish I could only train puppies! They are soft, adorable, and so easy to train. The first 6 months are huge in a puppy's life.

Raising a puppy in their first 6 months is like shaping wet clay — everything you do now builds the dog you’ll live with for the next 10–15 years.

Puppies are natural learners. They’re wired to follow, observe, and soak up the world around them. That means everything is a learning opportunity — even the things we wish they wouldn't learn (like chewing shoes or barking at the window)!

💡The good news? This stage is the perfect time to teach the basics, establish routines, and create a calm, respectful home.

Here’s what’s happening during those magical first 6 months:

🍼 8–10 Weeks:

They’re learning who their new family is; what will you do when he's good? And when he's not?

Potty training begins! With structure, many puppies can stay clean during the day within 2–3 weeks.

Start teaching name recognition, simple commands, and gentle handling.

🛏️ 12–16 Weeks:

Puppies can usually start sleeping through the night.

They can begin short periods of being left alone (with something safe to chew).

Socialization is crucial — people, places, sounds, textures, dogs. I can tell you soooooo many safe ways to socialize your puppy even before the vaccines are complete.

🚗 16–20 Weeks:

You’re now training a little sponge with legs.

Puppies can understand house rules, crate time, calm greetings, and leash manners.

Start reinforcing boundaries and rewarding calm behavior.

🧠 5–6 Months:

You’ll see more independence (and mischief!) — stay consistent!

This is a golden time for recall training and reinforcing listening.

Many puppies can be mostly housebroken and learn to be calm alone for longer periods.

The biggest mistake I see? Waiting until there’s a problem to start training.

Your puppy is ready to learn right now — they’re just waiting for you to show them how to be successful.

👉 If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed, let’s talk. I offer in-home training that meets you where you are and helps your puppy grow into a dog you can enjoy for life.

Because when you teach the right things early, you don’t have to fix the wrong things later. ❤️

22/07/2025

Do you have a p**p eater? 🐶💩
Yes, it’s gross — but it’s also surprisingly common.

Coprophagia is the technical term for p**p-eating, and while it makes most owners cringe, it’s not unusual. Dogs may do it out of boredom, stress, habit, or simply because it’s there. But most often, it’s not a medical issue — it’s behavioral and environmental.

And the simplest, most effective treatment?

Pick. It. Up. Immediately.

I know this firsthand.

My very first dog was a p**p eater. She had spent the first four months of her life in a garage with her mom and littermates — not the cleanest start. And my current dog came to me with the same habit. But I didn’t panic. I got proactive.

From day one, I went outside with her every single time she needed to go. This served so many purposes:
✅ I could see where she went
✅ I could monitor her health through her stool
✅ I could intervene immediately if she tried to eat it

She learned early on that “No” means stop and move away. So when she started to go for it, I calmly said “No,” stepped toward her, and scooped it up. Problem solved.

We keep a small trash can outside just for p**p bags, and on trash day, it all goes out. Simple. Clean. Done.

Letting p**p sit around the yard creates more than just a gross problem. It becomes a temptation, a hygiene issue, and frankly, a mess no one wants to deal with later. Dogs appreciate a clean space — and so do I. Keeping their potty area tidy is one of the easiest ways to create healthy habits for both of you.

If your dog is eating p**p, don’t panic. Don’t overthink.
Just clean it up. Immediately. Every time.

And if you need help building these habits, I’m just a message away.