You’ve probably heard it before:  “But he knows how to sit!” And maybe he does, sometimes. At home. With treats. When the stars align. That’s not fluency. That’s familiarity. In dog training,  fluency  is what turns a behavior from something your dog  can  do into something they  reliably  do, even when life gets distracting. What Is Fluency, Really? Fluency means a behavior is: Fast:  Your dog responds promptly Accurate:  The behavior looks the way it should Reliable:  It ha

This morning, when I woke up, my little dog, Chobani, climbed onto the bed, stood proudly on my chest, and gave my nose a big lick. I joked to myself that this must mean he’s claiming “Alpha” status for the day. And later, on our walk, when I tried to step in front of him, he stopped in his tracks, only to start walking again once I was behind him. It was as if he were saying, “Excuse me, I’m Alpha today. I get to lead.” Sounds a little ridiculous, right? That’s because… it i

Finding the perfect gift for a dog lover doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—whether you’re shopping for the holidays, a birthday, or a “just because” surprise. Dog people tend to appreciate gifts that are thoughtful, practical, and, of course, dog-themed! Below is a list of the best gifts for dog lovers, ranging from sentimental keepsakes to fun toys and even life-changing experiences. 🐾 Personalized & Sentimental Gifts Dog lovers cherish anything that celebrates the bond wit

Training your dog can be one of the most rewarding parts of your relationship, but it doesn’t always unfold as simply as we hope. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into habits that unintentionally slow progress or confuse your pup. Here are four common training pitfalls and how you can steer clear of them to set your dog up for success. 1. Repeating a Cue Doesn’t Equal Understanding If you find yourself saying “sit… sit… SIT!” before your dog responds, you’re n