Tucson, AZ | Sharing what we've learned about training to become a certified therapy dog team, managing atypical Addison’s Disease, and raising happier and healthier dogs.
Leash reactivity is common for many dogs. Lizzie was no exception. With the right training system, she transformed from overreacting to adapting. Keep reading to learn how to help your reactive dog find calm.
Read MoreHalloween is almost here! We don’t dress up the pups in the McSquare household, but we do like tricks AND treats, so we’re pretty excited to be part of this year’s Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop! We’ve teamed up with several blogger friends to create training tutorials for a variety of dog tricks AND give away almost $1500 in prizes.
Pssst…if you visit all 19 blogs, you can enter 19 different times!
Read MoreEarly in 2017, Matthew, Bernie, and I took a tricks class with our Labradoodle Bernie. We missed a few classes and did not focus on practicing the dog tricks at home consistently. Since then, I’ve tried to reinforce the few tricks that we did learn together, but I haven’t added anything truly new.
Our trainer is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, so she’s shared information about the various trick dog titles offered through Kyra Sundance’s Do More With Your Dog! If you haven’t checked out her website, give it a click. The rainbow ribbons and certificates are definitely motivating!
Since we’re training Bernie to be a therapy dog, we decided to add in more tricks training. Who wouldn’t want to see a few fun tricks during a therapy dog visit? 101 Dog Tricks is a handy reference for our continuing therapy dog journey.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for someplace indoors to practice dog training in the real world, Bookmans welcomes well-behaved leashed dogs. Bernie and I spent another afternoon browsing at dog-friendly Bookmans while working on our Canine Good Citizen skills. Every Bookmans location offers interesting distractions like used books and novelty items plus friendly people.
Read MoreLiving in the Sonoran Desert with active dogs means being prepared to deal with desert dangers. While there are numerous forms of threatening wildlife here, the rattlesnake is one predator whose bite can be painful, costly, and even deadly. Rattlesnake avoidance training helps your dog gain a critical skillset to potentially protect himself and you.
Read MoreIf you're training your dog to be a therapy dog, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the number of skills you and your dog must master.
Visiting a variety of places is important. Each destination holds new sniffs and distractions for your dog. If you want to gauge whether or not your dog will respond on cue, then exploring a variety of settings is a valuable use of your time.
This practice will also offer you different opportunities to work on distinct skills to help your dog become a certified therapy dog.
Read MoreAre you looking for a flexible dog obedience training class that fits your busy lifestyle?
After Lizzie graduated from Puppy Obedience Class, I needed just that! Ruff House Dog Training & Behavior Modification offers a drop-in Dog Obedience Park Class, which is a perfect way for me and my favorite girl to spend an afternoon.
Read MoreZeal. Gusto. Passion.
Remember to find joy while you're working with your dog. Isn't that part of why you wanted a companion?
If you and your pup are enjoying your time together, you'll both be more motivated to learn and to bond. How could you not be successful?
Read MoreDo not fixate on what your dog is not learning. Or on a stumbling block that you’re trying to hurdle.
You can't teach every cue all at once, and your dog certainly can't learn everything you want him to learn in one eight-week puppy obedience class.
Focus on the progress you're making from one year to the next. When you take the time to reflect on your dog's behavior from last year and compare it to present behavior, you're going to see improvements.
Read MoreI'm cheating with my letter X. I know, but working with qualified and knowledgeable dog experts is incredibly important for you and your dog.
While you'll want to find a veterinarian, groomer, pet sitter, and maybe even a dog walker who work best with your pack, you don't want to overlook the importance of a professional obedience trainer.
Read MoreMcSquare Doodles chronicles how we're training to become a certified therapy dog team with both our Labradoodles in Tucson, Arizona. We share what we've learned about dog-friendly places to visit, and tips for raising happier and healthier dogs. Join us on our journey.
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