The Blog
My blog is a nice mix of dog stories, training advice and other valuable resources to help you connect and enjoy your dog with ease and confidence. My blog is where I answer frequently asked questions so you have a reliable source of dog-raising information.
People often tell me how much they appreciate my guidance as so many sources on the internet have conflicting information. The blog is also where I share favorite products and gear I rely on daily to improve my life with a dog.
I believe in simplicity, so everything I share is tried and true and meant to make your life easier, more enjoyable and calmer!
What to Do with a New Puppy: Early Training Activities
Knowing what to do to keep your dog engaged with the right activities (at the right stage), will keep your puppy happy, calm, and building lifelong skills.
Door Manners for Dogs: Step-by-Step Training Guide
Is your dog rushing out the door? Teach calm door manners with this simple step-by-step guide. Build safety, focus, and a stronger bond.
7 Nose Work Games for Puppies: Fun Enrichment at Home
Zoomies, barking, puppy boredom? Try these 7 nose work games for puppies—easy activities that build focus, confidence, and connection.
Nose Work for Puppies: Build Confidence & Calm
Nose work for puppies offers mental stimulation, confidence-building, and bonding. Learn how to use sniffing as a training tool.
5 Fun & Easy DIY Dog Enrichment Ideas (for $5 or less!)
When you give a dog the right kind of enrichment, it doesn’t just entertain them. It helps them relax. Their needs are met. Their brain is happy. And you get that blissful moment of quiet to drink your coffee while it’s still hot.
Feeding Schedule for Puppies: How to Set Your Pup Up for Success
A solid feeding schedule is one of the best gifts you can give your puppy (and yourself). It’s not just about nutrition—it’s about predictable potty breaks, easier training, healthier internal rhythms, and a calmer, happier, more harmonious household.
How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide for New Dog Parents
Feel like potty training a puppy is chaos? You’re not alone. Here’s how to ditch the stress, cut down on accidents, and help your puppy potty train faster—with support.
How to Teach Your Puppy Their Name So They Will Come When Called
The Name Game is one of the very first exercises I teach in The Puppy System because it lays the foundation for recall.
Why a Puppy Schedule will Save your Sanity (and help your pup thrive)
A perfect puppy schedule balances play, rest, and training—and ensures everyone in the house is getting what they need.
DIY Dog Food Recipe: Spring Veggie & Protein Bowl
Spring is the perfect season to revamp your pup’s diet with nutrient-packed, seasonal ingredients!
Puppy Development Stages & Behavior: What to Expect as Your Puppy Grows
Understanding your puppy’s development stages is key to raising a well-behaved, confident, and well-adjusted dog.
Dogs in Winter: Beat the Cold with These Tips
Snowy zoomies, anyone? Beat the cold with these tips to keep your pup warm & active in cold winter weather!
The First 48 Hours With Your Puppy: Tips for a Happy Homecoming
To help you prepare for the first 48 hours with your puppy, I’ve outlined all the things to consider in those first 48 hours so you can turn those first two days into the perfect start for a lifetime of love!
Puppy Proofing: Decorating with Dogs at Christmas
The holiday season is a magical time, filled with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and…a curious puppy? Don’t worry, with a little planning, you can transform your home into a safe haven for your furry friend.
Holiday Chicken Salad Kong Stuffing Recipe
Want to give your pup a treat that’s both delicious and nutritious? This chicken salad Kong stuffing recipe is perfect for keeping your dog entertained and happy during the holiday season.
Pumpkin Dog Treats: An Easy and Healthy Recipe for Puppy Training
These healthy pumpkin dog treats are a delicious homemade option when rewarding your puppy for good behavior.
Puppy’s First Holiday: Survival Tips
Many of us dream about getting a puppy during the holidays! We happily envision picture-perfect moments: the family photo by the tree, sipping eggnog with a sleepy puppy on our laps, the kids playing with a puppy while still in their jammies, rosy faces smiling and...
Avoid Overwhelm: Three questions to simplify dog training (and life!)
It’s an early November morning as I write this, and the final leaves still cling to mostly bare branches. I brought out a notebook and pen to my kitchen table to write this blog post by hand. With daylight savings, I get to enjoy the sunrise again, the fog is...
Wellness: Supporting Your Dog and Yourself
Life never seems to slow down, does it? How do we balance all the things, and keep moving the needle forward? I ask myself this question allllllll the time! I know I am a dog coach, and you might think that my purpose is to train dogs, but I got into this work...
Bark-to-School: Tips for managing your pup’s end-of-summer transition
Each year when September rolls around, I can’t help but recall a few scenes from the late summers of my childhood: That last s’more by the campfire… Saying goodbye to my camp buddies, knowing it would be a whole year until I saw them again… Trading in my Timberland...
Thinking of getting a second dog?
(Photo credit: Kelly Putnam, m.c.g.i.n.s.t.a.g.r.a.m) Read on to decide when the timing is right for you and your family. My dog, Mazlo, is nine years old, and gosh, I couldn’t love him any more than I already do! Still, the temptation is always there to...
Puppy Handling 101: Teaching your dog to LOVE the human touch
Touch between a puppy and its human has positive impacts on both species! Let's talk about why touch is so important to raising a healthy dog and building a strong relationship. Then, I'll share some of my tips for how to touch your new puppy so they gain more...
All About KONGs: Stuffing Recipes Your Dog Will Love
Does leaving your dog alone, even for a short spell make you nervous? Or does your dog nip and bite all the time and you wonder how to get your dog’s mouthy needs met without sacrificing your nice things (or your fingers!)? Or, do you want your dog to love their crate...
How to Introduce Your Puppy’s Collar and Leash in 4 Steps
"My dog won't let me put the collar on without a fight! It's such a struggle to even get out the door!" The dream is for your dog to enjoy going on long walks with you, a faithful companion that's by your side wherever life's path takes you, and that adds more...
How to Keep Your Pup Cool & Comfortable in the Summer
(Because hot dogs are for baseball games!) As the heat and humidity creep up during these warmer months, we humans have our go-to tricks for staying cool. Cranking the AC, stocking our freezers with popsicles, digging out our summer clothes and of course, sweating...
How to Deal with a Dog That Chews on Everything
Often people contact me when their dog has a behavior problem that has become a nuisance. Chewing is a perfect example! Such a bad habit can become quite expensive when you need to replace a dining table or couch. I had a client whose dog chewed everything! He even...
How to Reduce Barking
Dogs communicate primarily with their body language, but a large part of their emotions can be understood through their vocal communication. Some dogs, like scent dogs, toy dogs and terriers, tend toward barking more, while others, like sight hounds, barely let a yap...
How to Teach Your Dog to ‘COME’ When Called
The beauty of having a well-behaved dog is that you can bring them with you wherever you go. Having a dog that comes when called is a gift, and so incredibly important when hiking, adventuring or doing anything. Knowing that your dog will listen and return...
6 Ways to Connect & Bond with Your Dog
Trust and connection. I feel safe with you. You feel safe with me. I could stare into those puppy eyes and snuggle with you all day! I love you. Each of these statements represent the feelings you experience when you are enjoying moments of...
How to Stop Your Dog From Biting and Nipping
The mayhem of an untrained dog can cost you a lot of money and can test your patience. From drywall and moulding being chewed, to carpets being peed on, to furniture having teeth marks in it, and family members’ fingers being chomped on with razor sharp teeth - the...
Hi, my name is Dre and I believe that every dog wants love and connection with their owner and by offering guidance, clear communication and structure, your dog can and will be loyal to you like no other. In this blog, I aim to provide you with inspiration, practical tips and go-to resources to help you raise the best hound in town!