A Day With Dogs
Sharing Our Lives with Man's Best FriendGet the latest here on our A Day With Dogs blog!
Grab great tips on socializing & training, the latest dog news, and cool stuff for your puppy.
6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Training Your Dog
Are you working on a new behaviour or skill? Do you feel like things aren't going the way they should be? There are several common errors that people make when they are training. Here's a quick checklist to help you avoid these common dog training mistakes. Where are...
6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Training Your Dog
Are you working on a new behaviour or skill? Do you feel like things aren't going the way they should be? There are several common errors that...
The Nitty-Gritty of Positive Dog Training
Clients often are keen to get right into the nitty-gritty of issues that they have hired me to help with. Their first question often is, "How do I...
Dog Training 101: The 3 Must-Haves for Success
It's common to see videos that promise a secret method or quick fix to your dog's problems. The truth is that good training is a process and takes...
5 Reasons to Use Management In Dog Training
Let's talk management - the most under-utilized tool in dog training and day-to-day life. Most new puppy parents use some degree of management to...
How To Survive Dog Adolescence
Are you struggling with your adolescent dog? This can be a particularly frustrating and challenging time. Many parents don't think they will survive...
Which Puppy Class is Best For You And Your Puppy?
Do you need a hand deciding which puppy class is best for you and your puppy? At hipPUP, you can choose from 2 puppy classes to ensure you get the...
5 Dog Body Traits to Be Familiar With
You are probably already familiar with the importance of regularly checking your dog for new lumps or bumps during routine brushing or cuddle time....
4 Reasons to Stick It Out With Your Dog Den
There may be some dogs out there that have impeccable habits at home and whose parents never feel the need to manage their dogs when company comes...
An Easy Way to Teach Your Dog to Love a Crate
Too often, people just put their dog into a crate and close the door. This usually creates a bad first experience, and the dog has no desire to go...
Management for Your Dog Over the Holidays
Have you been meaning to get your dog ready for the excitement of your upcoming holiday bash? Or for having guests stay over? That's great! But...
How to Make a Holiday Calendar for Your Dog
Creating a calendar just for your dog may seem odd, but stick with me. One reason the holidays can be challenging is that there is no plan for the...
hipPUP Holiday Checklist For Your Dog
Want to know my 3 Favourite Things to help your dog and make life easier for you over the holidays? Check out the hipPUP Holiday Checklist to learn...
5 Ways to Cope With Setbacks in Separation Training
You’ve probably seen the diagram of what people expect training to look like. Always onwards and upwards. But this is not how things actually go....
Think About It From Your Dog’s Perspective
It's easy to get caught up in training and focus on the outcome. Having a good plan and being clear on your goals is great. Both are part of good...
The Truth About Using Food in Dog Training
Is it time to clean up your act when using food? Using food in training is often given a bad rap. In both dog training and the horse world, it is...
How to Stop Your Dog From Digging
Digging is a behaviour that most dogs LOVE. Their parents - not so much. I'm often asked how to stop dogs from digging. This is often the case with...
How to Help Summer Pups in Cold Weather
The Dog Days of Summer Are Over For Your Pup Brrr. It feels like summer is really over. Mornings are darker, and temperatures have dropped. For...
Are You Listening to Your Dog?
Understanding canine body language Canine body language and communication are beautifully complex and often nuanced. But it is possible to learn to...
8 Great Reasons to Go to Good Puppy Class
Do you know what happens in a good puppy class? Many people think puppy class is all about playtime and teaching a bit of basic obedience. Positive...
Are You Harnessing the Magic of Mat Training?
What's the Big Deal With the Mat? Whether you've taken an in-person class, been in one of my online groups or done in-person training with me, you...
6 Ways to Make Your Dog’s Next Vet Visit Better
A recent trip to the vet has made me realize I should dedicate a series to supporting our dogs and ways to make vet visits better for them....
Think You Don’t Have Time for Puppy Training?
It's back to school, leaving many of us struggling to get into regular routines and make time for everything. Where does that leave our dogs? If you...
How to Help Your Puppy Travel In the Car
Helping your pup learn to travel comfortably in the car should be part of their socialization. Car travel can be challenging for young pups because...
Do You Need to Power Up Your Puppy Pen?
As your pup matures, sleeps less and becomes more adventurous, they may start to fuss in the pen. The days of sleeping for hours are ending, and...
Do I Let My Fussy Puppy Cry It Out?
Depending on where you look, you will likely get one of two responses. Back in the day, the typical answer was yes. Let them ‘cry it out’ in their...
How to Make Your Pup’s Kong Food Puzzle Last Longer
Do you have a plan to power up the value of your pup’s pen or containment area? Whether you are just getting your new pup started or have an older...
How to Pick the Perfect Potty Spot for Your Puppy
Do you have a yard? Then taking a few moments to choose a perfect potty spot for your pup to do their business is a great idea. Young puppies are...
Can You Make Your Fearful Dog More Fearful?
I see a lot of clips and memes suggesting that paying attention to your dog when they are fearful reinforces the fear and will teach the dog to keep...
Cooperative Care Is The New Black in Dog Husbandry
Over the last few years, the attitude and approach to dog husbandry tasks have been changing. Although some may still be willing to get into a...
Bringing a New Puppy into A Home With a Dog
When we bring a second dog into the family, we usually have visions of the two playing together, sleeping together and being all round besties. Not...
Getting Off to a Great Start With Your New Dog. What Are You Waiting For?
As a trainer, the ideal situation with new clients is to meet them before they bring their new puppy or dog home. Helping them prepare with a plan...
I wish I Could Help, Sweet Pup
To the beautiful 'big puppy' I saw today, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that your mom is having a tough time on walks. I'm sorry she lets you drag her to say...
To Sit or Not to Sit – Is it a Good Choice When Your Dog Reacts?
When new clients describe what happens when their dog becomes agitated on walks, I hear the same thing again and again. Although specifics may...
The Magic of Mat Training
Many people think of their dog's comfy bed when the topic of mat training comes up. Of course, curling up in a designer bed is a reasonable goal,...
Help! My Dog Is Changing, and Not For the Better.
As young dogs mature, it's normal to see changes in their behaviour. Brain development, hormones, changes in sensory perception and social awareness...
6 Tips for Taking Your Dog Out on Cold Days
As temperatures drop and days shorten, there are new things to consider and include in our daily care for our dogs. Here are a few simple tips that...
A Dear John Letter From Separation Anxiety
No matter the dog issue they are struggling with, many people look for a quick fix and fast results. A snap of the fingers, and poof! The problem is...
How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend At Halloween
Do you think your dog has a hard time at Halloween? Depending on where you live, your neighbourhood and your family, each dog will have a different...
Are Walks Making Your Dog Happy At Halloween?
Halloween can be a spooky time for dogs. Dark evenings make things harder to see. Costumes and noisy kids running around the neighbourhood. The...
Creating A Safe Place for Your Dog at Halloween
Holidays can be challenging for our dogs because schedules are often disrupted, and family members are busy with extra tasks and responsibilities....
Tips to Keep Your Dog Secure At Halloween
This time of year can be very scary for dogs. The shorter days mean going outside in the dark, which many dogs are wary of. The strange sights and...
I Think I’ve Taught My Dog To Pick Things Up On Walks! What Do I Do Now?
Have you been working on your dog grabbing stuff on walks? Does it feel like they are just picking up anything and everything now to get a treat?...
Are You Ready to Deal With Separation Anxiety in Your New Dog?
There are many things to consider when bringing a new dog into your life. Do you have the time and energy for a puppy, or would a mature dog be a...
What Do I Do If My Dog Gets Skunked?
Every morning I've been waking up to the pungent odour that means the skunks are active, and it's about to happen. Just like clockwork, a client...
4 Steps to Success With Your Mouthy Adolescent Dog
We all expect nipping and biting with a young puppy. But as our dogs grow and continue maturing, continued mouthiness can be concerning. The good...
Why Did My Dog Do That? How to Deal With Resource Guarding
I am often contacted by dismayed parents saying their dog has suddenly become aggressive. It doesn't take long to uncover that the incident occurred...
5 Ways To Make Time To Train Your Dog
One of the biggest training challenges many people have is finding time in their busy day to get some training done. The feeling of not being able...
Two’s a Crowd. Why Walking Your Puppy On Their Own Is Better
Do you have a young dog in a multiple-dog family? Last week, a question came up in my puppy group about going on walks. Their pup displays very...
Is Your Puppy Ready For More Freedom in the Home?
When you get a new puppy, it's a great idea to manage how much space they have and where they have access to in the home. This helps to develop good...
Building Better Connection on Walks By Giving Your Dog More Freedom
"I can't get my dog to focus." "My dog ignores me." These are common complaints from many parents about walks with their dogs. Realistic...
Want more?
Puppy Articles
Want information on a particular topic? Check out our archives for articles on everything dog – including care, training and behaviour.
My Favourite Toys And Gear
Looking for something in particular? Get the insider scoop on the best in equipment, toys, and dog gear.
More Good Stuff
Not sure where to look for more info? Check out our approved links for the best sites online.
Email Us
hipPUP
puppy training
Quick Links
Join a Class 10 - 18 weeks
Join a Class 5 - 12 months
