Play to Train Podcast

Have you ever wondered, "Is it okay for me to pet or touch my dog? Can it be BAD for me to pet or touch my dog?!" Well, this is a question we received from a client! In this podcast episode, we discuss why this question may come up and how our dogs may actually seek out and enjoy touching and petting, as long as we take the time to do so properly. Would you like to learn more about the power of pe...

Have you ever thought to yourself, setting rules for our dogs seems rather mean? You want to a good dog owner, you don't want to be mean! Perhaps you wanted to use positive reinforcement because you thought that meant you would be nice to your dog. Your dog gives you unconditional love, you want to show them how much you love them back! In this episode, we discuss what terms such as "positive rein...

The activity of agility is not only fun, it can be amazingly beneficial for dog and handler alike! "How?!" In this episode, we discuss the benefits of playing agility, why you should consider it and how trialing and competing are indeed fun, but why we should also strive to incorporate elements of the activity of agility into all our dog training programs. Speaker: Dianna L. Santos RESOURCES What...

For most of us, the idea of taking a dog for a walk is something that goes hand-in-hand with owning a dog. But not all walks are created equal. The locations you choose and what you and your dog will encounter and experience during your walk makes all the difference in the world. Some walks may be really enjoyable whereas others are an utter nightmare! ----more---- In this episode, we delve into h...

It is officially Superbowl Sunday and even during COVID, people are likely to get loud and rambunctious while watching the game, snaking and having a grand ole time. But what about the dog? Will they be concerned as you are screaming at the T.V. or begging for your snacks or jumping all over you with every play? In this episode, we cover some of the ways you can better set your dog up for success...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. When it comes to dog training, there are lots of terms that go along with it. Lingo and jargon that professionals throw around, which can cause a layperson's head to start to spin! In this episode, we will break down what exactly is meant when someone i...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. Once clients are introduced to the concept of dog sports, a common question is: do I need my dog to be confident before tackling dog sports or will dog sports make my dog more confident? This is actually a rather meaty question and we delve into differe...

In these trying times of dealing with COVID-19, stress levels are incredibly high. Now more than ever, we need to apply the concepts of positive reinforcement, not to our dogs, but to ourselves as well. Granting ourselves the permission to try and then noticing and rewarding those attempts, not matter how small and incremental they may be. This includes not only how we get through our daily life b...

When it comes to service dogs (not therapy dogs, not emotional support dogs, SERVICE DOGS), there needs to be an extra layer of attention paid to the professional on the other end of the leash. Service dogs allow for their handlers to have an improved and more independent life. Therefore, the professional dog trainers who are training and placing these dogs MUST be of the highest caliber. In this...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. With so many different dog sports to choose from, it can be overwhelming to try to decide which ones play with your dog. But, if you are looking for something that will really take your training chops, and the relationship with your dog, to the next lev...

There is a fun new game in town and it is Canine Parkour. It helps build confidence. It cultivates and nurtures the relationship and bond between dog and handler. It is FUN! Learn more about Canine Parkour in this podcast episode. We speak with Lori Timberlake who points out how wonderful this activity is, who should be playing this game (hint: everyone) and provides some previews of the new Canin...

When talking about puppies, we are typically focusing on socialization, training and exposing them to the world in a safe way. But an equally important, if not more so, part of the equation is napping. Our puppies need lots of opportunities to nap so that they can properly process all that we are teaching them, all they are learning and to help them grow! We discuss the importance of puppy naps in...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. You've got plans for your puppy or dog. A long list of dog sport activities that you will train and tackle, jammed into an otherwise full schedule. Always looking ahead, you find yourself flying through life. That is until life throws you a heart-wrench...

When it comes to our dogs, it is our job to help them be prepared for what they may experience throughout their lives. This is especially important when it comes to sudden medical procedures! We don't want our dogs stressing needlessly when they need to be concentrating on healing. In this podcast, we discuss the need to prepare our dogs, through training, to accepting and even enjoying such thing...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. When we are choosing which dog sport, or dog sports, to do with our dog, it is important to give our dog a vote. However, it can be incredibly painful when what our dog wants to do, and enjoys doing, is drastically different from what our preferred dog...

You read that right, we are going to walk you through how to train your dog to be naughty...and hopefully avoid these pitfalls in the first place! We'll discuss how even trainers fall into this trap, what you can do to avoid this trap and how to fix the sticky situation you may find yourself in. Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more---- PODCAST TRANSCRIPT Read the full transcript here. #traintoplaypo...

Maybe your dog chews your shoes, or gets into the garbage or goes potty in the house. You reach out to a professional trainer or instructor and implore for them to give you a training solution and stat! However, many of these problems can be solved, or greatly improved, by simply using good management techniques! In this podcast episode, we discuss what management really is, what it isn't (think s...

This episode was originally aired as part of the All About Dog Sports Podcast, which has been merged into the It's Time to Train Your Dog Podcast. Trick Dog Titles are one of the newest options in the dog sport world and have been met with both enthusiasm and a fair amount of grumbling. In this episode, we discuss if tricks as a whole have a value and whether they should be welcomed within the dog...

When you hear the term "positive reinforcement" what comes to mind? Treats? Being nice? Nothing because you do not have the slightest idea what it means? In this episode, we break down what this term actually means, why that is important and how positive reinforcement, as a training technique, not only works for dogs, it works for all animals...including people. Speaker: Dianna L. Santos ----more-...