The McCann Dogs Podcast

As instructors, we often tell our students to not allow their dogs “too much freedom” while they’re in training and are learning the ropes.  But, what exactly do we mean by this? And how much difference does it really make? That's the topic of today's podcast! Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPORTED Puppy Essent...

Winter can be tough to get through some years, but since hibernation is simply not an option for most of us, we have to make the most of it. Winter with a young dog or a dog in training can be even more challenging, but there are lots of great tips on how you can continue to work and train your dog, even when it's too frigid to go outdoors. Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training ti...

We typically don't know what our next podcast will be. Often, it's simply a reaction to something that's hit us in our day-to-day life. Like an interaction with a student or a sentiment that seems to permeate the dog community. These things are often ones that resonate with us in some way. We love it when something hits us in just such a way that it challenges something we believe a...

We’ve all heard the phrases “emotional control” and “self-control” in dog training. Many people assume that this only applies to the dog. But, when you think about it, it should go both ways. We expect our dogs to be able to control their emotions and impulses in all sorts of different scenarios. But are we, as their trainers, able to do the same? Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more trai...

Dog parks have really become a big deal. They are used daily by hundreds of families with dogs. They romp, run, play and wrestle. Sometimes, they just hang out. It often reminds me of McDonald's Play Place. Throw a bunch of random kids together and they're bound to hit it off, right? As a child, it was my favourite restaurant to eat in. A Kid's Meal with a toy and a place to play with bouncy horse...

Introducing a second dog to your home can be a wonderful experience. It is also a crucial time to set the foundation for your puppy training! I  made a BIG mistake when it came to training my second dog. By not showing the puppy that I was worth listening to, the puppy quickly  started to find everything in the world a lot more interesting. This made my training experience A LOT more dif...

In this episode, Instructor Shannon and Instructor Ken are talking about some quick games that you can play with your dog that give them the added exercise they need! Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPORTED Puppy Essentials Training Program Online!  Train With Us To Make Your Puppy Training More Enjoyable And To...

Today I thought we'd do something different. Today, we're going to play a game. It's easy - here's how it works: Assign yourself 1 point for each entry you've accomplished. Subtract  one point for each entry you disagree with Add  one (1) bonus point for each bonus entry that applies to you Maintain a running total until you reach the end of the list Your goal is to get as clos...

There are many ways to successfully train a dog to come when called. The method you choose is dependent on your training philosophy and style. Unfortunately, there are an equal or greater number of ways to teach a dog NOT to come. People can quickly sour their dogs to coming when called. Here are 6 of the most common errors we see. Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https...

In this podcast, Instructor Ken and Instructor Shannon talk about some of the simple changes you can make in your training that will help you to be more successful and AVOID some of the challenges. Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPORTED Puppy Essentials Training Program Online!  Train With Us To Make Your Puppy...

This topic came up in our My Dog Can Online Training community group and I knew right away it would make a great article. I also knew right away that it would likely be a controversial one with strong beliefs on both sides of the argument, but I still pose the question: Should you let your dog play with other dogs? As with most posts I write, there is no black and white answer and my goal is...

In this episode, Instructor Ken and Instructor Shannon talk about a dog training strategy when you need MORE help! There are some training struggles that can't be fixed by reading a blog post or listening to a podcast. For those kinds of dog training problems, you need a STRATEGY. Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPOR...

“Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day.” — Rory Vaden I love this quote by Rory Vaden. It fits training a dog so well, how could we possibly think about it any differently now that we've thought of it in that context? I have to put in effort EVERY day in order to have success. Right! Got it..... Except.... How does one measure success. Often as humans, we can only foc...

In this episode, Instructor Ken and Instructor Shannon will talk about the dogs that they first trained with McCann Dogs. They will also talk about the important lessons they learned from those training experiences. Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPORTED Puppy Essentials Training Program Online!  Train With Us...

Do you rush to get rid of training aids? Do you take your leash off before your dog has a reliable recall? Do you try to remove food from training before value has been added to a skill? Do you throw the crate out while your pup still has unreliable habits in the house? What if I told you you are making your life MUCH more difficult? Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: htt...

You may have heard that playing tug with your dog can cause possessiveness and aggression. We're going to talk about how playing tug with your dog can actually have a different impact on your training! Here's a link to our YouTube channel for more training tips: https://www.youtube.com/mccanndogs We Have A FULLY SUPPORTED Puppy Essentials Training Program Online!  Train With Us To Make Your P...

Some debates are timeless, spanning decades and centuries. One debate where there's no denying the waters run deep is Nature VS Nurture and which might be driving behavior. Trying to discern the role of both when sharing time and space with beings of the 4-legged variety can be astounding when you take a deep dive. This post will help you identify how to use...

Bribe VS Reward - how to successfully teach a skill using food without making your dog dependent on it! Dog Bribe = relying on showing your dog food in order to get a response. What's the problem? If the thing your dog wants to do is more motivating than your food, you lose! Dog Reward = the paycheck that comes AFTER the dog has responded successfully to a cue you've previously taught. Dog Lure =...

Is your pup SWEET as pie when they have a special, valued item? GOOD! Keep reading.... This article is STILL for you!!! It truly seems like things come in themes in dogdom. I think this is a combination of the ever-evolving role of dogs in our lives and the awareness that society dedicates to a specific theme or problem. One theme that seems to be common at the moment is dogs showing spe...

We've been so busy with COVID-related concerns, that it's taken a back seat, but I was inspired this morning when answering daily questions in our Puppy Essentials Online Training program. There was a common theme about trying to help puppies overcome noise. Pups were presented with 'the noisy thing' (hair dryer, sander, loud truck, etc.) and frightened by it. Then the question of how to acclimate...

You've heard us say it many times I'm sure: training mode is a hoax! That's because dogs are ALWAYS learning. They don't shut off when the bell rings for recess. Their existence and experiences will mold their behavior. They are learning ALL of the time! Does that sound exhausting? We've spent decades refining the training process and while it's important to strap on the bait pouch and d...

The world needs more dog training acronyms, don't you think?! I always find them helpful for remembering ordered steps, so coming up with one to help dog owners STOP unwanted behavior was important. Conveniently,  the only things you'll ever need to know to address an average unwanted behavior, like pulling, for example, are contained in the acronym  S.T.O.P.  Let's talk about pulli...

There's not much in the world that's more important than teaching your dog to come when called. A dog who comes when called is a dog who can be kept safe in a world full of danger. If you've ever been in a situation where your recall literally saved your dog's life, you'll know exactly what I mean.  Yes, it can be a LIFESAVER, but the real magic in a great recall is much more evident in day-t...

We often use the analogy with my students that training skills in the face of distractions is akin to trying to learn calculus on a roller coaster at Disney World. It would take a very seasoned math whiz to be able to focus on math during SUCH exciting times. The same is true of our dogs. Trying to teach them new skills when they are over faced with excitement will likely increase t...

We know that one dog is wonderful, so 2 must be double the wonderful,  right? Three = triple the fun!!! True? From this dog trainer's  perspective, YOU BET YOUR BOOTIE it is! .....but it's not entirely free  of complications that could make it less than wonderful.  A single dog  in the home will act one way. 2 dogs in the home will change things a  bit. 3 or more and...