One of the biggest mistakes I see people making with young pups or dogs in early heel training is that their leash is too short. You might think that keeping your pup on a very short leash is teaching them correct heel position (their shoulder by your knee). In fact, it’s teaching at least two bad habits, possibly three (or more). First, fundamentally, you're teaching your dog that a tight leash is a signal to move forward and PULL. Second, you’re teaching Pup heel position i

If you ever want your dog to behave properly in public or when visitors are about, they need to be emotionally neutral around people and other dogs/animals. "Emotionally neutral" means - neither excited nor nervous/fearful of people/dogs. People and other dogs need to be seen as furniture to your dog, not potential playmates or threats. This is how I can walk the neighborhood or a busy street with my dogs and they don't pull, bark or carry on when they see other people/dogs.

Whatever you do, DO NOT GIVE UP! Of course your puppy hates their crate initially. You just took them from their litter and locked them in a box alone for the first time. They’re going to have a hissy fit! And that’s OK. Really, it’s OK. Crating is usually the first in a series of stress inoculations you should be giving your puppy. Teaching a young pup to cope with stress is one of the most important things you’ll do in the next few weeks! Don’t avoid it! That is, unless you