Education
The E is for Education
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Communicating with your dog
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Understanding your dog's communication
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Understanding normal dog behaviors
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Understanding your dog's stages of development and aging
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Recognizing when a behavior may be abnormal
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Recognizing signs to see your veterinarian
Education is the part of your toolkit that's about you. The better you understand what your dog is telling you, and what's normal for dogs and what isn't, the easier every other tool gets. You'll spot trouble earlier, worry less about things that are perfectly normal, and know when it's time to call us or your vet.
Communicating with your dog · Understanding your dog's communication · Understanding normal dog behaviors · Stages of development and aging · Recognizing when a behavior may be abnormal · Analysis · Common questions · Signs it's time to see your veterinarian
Communicating with your dog
Communication runs both ways. Dogs don't speak English, so clear, consistent cues help a lot, and so does paying attention to your own body. Leaning over a dog, staring, or reaching over their head can feel threatening to them, even when we mean it kindly. Letting your dog choose whether to be petted is one of the easiest ways to build trust.
Start here:
How to ask your dog if they'd like to be petted
Speaking up for your dog with strangers
Cues and markers that help your dog understand you
Understanding your dog's communication
Your dog is talking all the time, mostly with their body. A yawn, a lip lick or a turned head can mean “I'm a bit worried” long before a growl. Learning those early signals is one of the most important things we can teach you. We want you to be an expert!
Start here:
Our body language resource page: videos, articles and visual guides
The ladder of communication, from yawns to growls
Body language of fear and stress
Body language for kids and families
Understanding normal dog behaviors
A lot of what people call problem behavior is normal dog behavior in the wrong place. Dogs are built to sniff, chew, dig, chase and play, and when those needs go unmet, they find their own outlets. Knowing what's normal helps you meet the need instead of fighting it, and it saves a lot of worry. Rough-looking dog play, for instance, is often perfectly healthy.
Start here:
How unmet needs turn into unwanted behavior
Every dog's needs are different
Stages of development and aging
Your dog won't be the same dog from puppyhood to their senior years. Puppies have a short window for learning that the world is safe. Adolescence, roughly six months to two or three years depending on size and breed, can bring a dip in manners and some new worries. That's normal, and it passes with support. Older dogs may slow down, sleep differently or become more sensitive, and any change in a senior dog is worth mentioning to your vet.
Start here:
Puppy socialization: the window that matters most
Why some dogs are jumpy and mouthy, and how to help them settle
Senior Dog Behavior Changes: Signs of Dementia, Pain and What Helps
Recognizing when a behavior may be abnormal
Most behavior is normal, even when it's inconvenient. A behavior is worth a closer look when it's very intense, happens far more often than it used to, is hard to interrupt, or your dog takes a long time to settle afterward. Repetitive behaviors like spinning, tail chasing or constant licking, and big reactions to small things, are a sign to talk to us.
Start here:
Fear, anxiety and stress in dogs
Hyperarousal: when excitement boils over
Signs it's time to see your veterinarian
Pain and illness often show up as behavior first. Before or alongside training, we may ask you to check in with your vet, especially if you notice:
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A sudden change in behavior, especially in an adult or older dog
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New growling, snapping, or sensitivity to being touched or picked up
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Accidents in the house from a dog who was reliably house-trained
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Changes in eating, drinking, sleeping or energy
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Limping, stiffness, or reluctance to jump, use stairs or go for walks
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Repetitive licking, chewing, spinning or tail chasing
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Confusion, getting stuck in corners, or pacing at night in an older dog
When in doubt, call your vet. We're always happy to work alongside them.
Analysis: tracking your dog's behavior
Tracking turns “he's been worse lately” into something you and your trainer can actually see. You don't need anything fancy; a note on your phone works. Each time it happens, jot down:
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When and where it happened
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What happened just before
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What your dog did, and how intense it was
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How long it took your dog to settle
Over a few weeks, patterns show up: certain times of day, certain triggers, or slow, steady progress you might otherwise miss. Bring your notes to your sessions. They're helpful for your vet, too.
Common questions
Is growling bad? Growling is communication, and it's a good thing your dog warns you. Punishing a growl can teach a dog to skip the warning and go straight to a snap. Instead, give your dog some space and let us help with whatever made them uncomfortable. How do I know if my dogs are playing or fighting? Healthy play is loose and bouncy, with play bows and lots of taking turns, like swapping who chases and who's on the bottom. Both dogs keep coming back for more. Stiff bodies, one dog always trying to get away, or play that keeps getting rougher are signs to calmly break it up. Our dog play page has videos to help. My dog was fine and suddenly isn't. What happened? Sudden changes usually have a reason: pain, illness, a scary experience or a change at home. Start with your vet to rule out anything medical, then give us a call.
Education and the rest of your toolkit
Education makes every other tool work better. When you can read your dog's early signals, you know when to use Management. When you understand your dog's needs, you can set up the right Environment. And when you know why your dog does something, Teaching gets faster and kinder.
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