“Big Success” Moments and Why They Matter
A few weeks ago I had a HUGE success moment with one of my dogs, Wakey. I was at the park with my four-year-old daughter, and (of course) she wanted to walk the dog. With some trepidation, I...
That Dog Needs a JOB
There’s a common idea that has made its way into the opinion of the dog-loving public: certain dogs, especially “working breeds,” need a job. Border Collie getting into the trash? He needs a job...
Dog Training is Ongoing… And it’s OK
As a professional dog trainer, I often hear, “How long until my dog will be trained?” or, “How long did it take to train YOUR dog?” The reality is that dog training doesn’t fit into a tidy...
Testimonial: Pinckney Family
There are special challenges that come with acquiring littermates, especially when they’re puppies. When I first met Bailey and Riley, they were energetic Boxers who lacked manners and...
Fort Wayne’s Dog Friendly Stores
One of the rewards of having a well behaved dog is getting to take him into public and show off his awesome manners. Also, the more places my dog can accompany me, the less time he has to spend...
Testimonial: Diana & Sandy
This month’s featured testimonial is from Diana and Sandy. Sandy was adopted from Fort Wayne Animal Care and Control. Like many dogs, she had some naughty habits (the worst of which was barking...
The Single Hardest Thing About Dog Training
No matter what training method you use, what breed your dog is, or how experienced you are, there is one HUGE training challenge that all dog owners have: striking the balance between making “it”...
The Three Magic Letters: D D D
If you have taken lessons from me, you have surely heard me talk about “The Three Ds.” They’re not magical, but they’re a good reminder of the ways to challenge your dog. DISTANCE |...
The Myth of the “Broken” Shelter Dog
On April 16, 2012, I adopted a Sheltie mix from the Jay County Humane Society in Portland, Indiana. I’ve really enjoyed my journey with Shelby so far, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the...
Your Most Versatile Command
The most important command for a dog to know is definitely “come.” It can literally mean the difference between life or death. However, I have to say that the most versatile command is “place.” ...
Proofing: The Next Level of Reliability
Once your dog knows the basics of sit, down, heel, place, and come, it’s time to up the ante! The time has come to proof those behaviors; you need to gradually increase the expectations you have...
How Important is Dog-Dog Play?
At Flying Colors we often see dogs who are “dog reactive.” Basically, that’s a term to describe the dog who growls, barks, snarls, or makes other unfriendly overtures towards their fellow canines...