From Chaos to Control: Creating Predictable Dog Behavior

training tips Mar 27, 2025

Have you ever felt like your home turns into a circus when your dog decides it's time to play? Or maybe your peaceful walk becomes a tug-of-war match the moment your pup spots a squirrel? If so, you're not alone. Many dog owners in Metro Detroit struggle with unpredictable dog behavior. Today, I want to share some proven ways to transform chaos into calm and create the predictable dog behavior you've been dreaming of.

Why Dogs Need Predictability

Dogs, much like us, crave routine and structure. They feel safest when they know what to expect. Think about how you feel when your day goes according to plan versus when everything is chaotic and unpredictable. That sense of calm you get from knowing what comes next? Your dog feels the same way.

I remember working with Max, a lovable but anxious German Shepherd. His family called me because Max would pace around the house, whine constantly, and occasionally destroy furniture when left alone. After spending time with them, I noticed somethi...

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Family Dog Training: From School Pick-Up to Soccer Practice

training tips Mar 20, 2025

 Picture this: You pull up to your child's school, your family dog sitting calmly in the backseat. As your kids climb in, the dog greets them with gentle excitement, then settles back down for the ride to soccer practice. At the field, your dog lies contentedly on a blanket, watching the game without lunging at passing joggers or barking at other dogs.

Sounds like a fantasy, doesn't it?

The Family Dog Dream vs. Reality in Metro Detroit

For many Metro Detroit families I work with at our dog training classes, the reality looks more like:

"Sorry about Bella jumping on you! She's just excited."
"Can you hold the leash while I help with the equipment? Last time he nearly pulled me over when he saw a squirrel."
"Maybe we should take separate cars. That way one of us can stay home with the dog."

If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone. The gap between our vision of life with our dogs and the reality causes daily stress for countless families.

Why Family Activities Challenge Our...

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Never Apologize Again: Creating Reliable Dog Behavior in Social Settings

training tips Mar 14, 2025

 

Today, I want to talk about something nearly every dog owner has experienced: that moment when you're out with friends or family, and your dog does something embarrassing. Maybe they jump on a guest, bark incessantly at the neighbor's child, or snatch food from the coffee table. And what do we do? We apologize.

"I'm so sorry! He's usually not like this."
"She's still learning, sorry about that."
"Sorry everyone, he gets excited around new people."

Sound familiar? What if I told you that you could stop apologizing for your dog's behavior in social settings altogether?

Not by making excuses. Not by avoiding social situations. But by creating truly reliable behavior through professional dog training in Michigan that makes you proud to bring your dog anywhere.

Why Social Settings Challenge Even "Good" Dogs

Let's talk about Max, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever who belongs to the Wilson family. At home, Max is a dream dog – he listens well, knows his basic commands, and is generally we...

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Professional Dog Training: The Key to Making Your Dog Listen Every Time

training tips Mar 07, 2025

 

Today, I want to talk about what might be the single most important factor in successful dog training: consistency. While this might sound simple, it's where most dog owners struggle -- and it's often the difference between a well-behaved companion and a frustrating four-legged roommate.

If you're tired of your dog listening "sometimes" instead of "every time," this post is for you. As a professional dog trainer in Michigan, I'll dive into why consistency matters so much and how to achieve it with your furry friend.

The Consistency Crisis in Family Dog Training

Imagine this scene playing out in homes across Metro Detroit:

Bella, a lovable Golden Retriever, jumps excitedly on her owner Mike when he comes home from work. Mike, exhausted from a long day, sometimes pushes her away with a stern "Off!" Other days, when he's in a better mood, he laughs and gives her pets while she jumps all over him.

When weekend guests arrive, Mike scolds Bella harshly for the same jumping behavior. ...

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Beyond Basic Obedience: Professional Family Dog Training That Transforms Lives

Uncategorized Jan 17, 2025

When Basic Dog Training Isn't Enough: A Metro Detroit Trainer's Perspective

Ever had your dog bark during an important Zoom call? Or felt that flutter of anxiety before guests arrive, wondering if your dog will jump all over them? I get it. As a professional dog trainer in Metro Detroit, I've seen how our dogs' behavior can impact every aspect of our lives – from our professional image to our family gatherings.

Let me share a story about Mark, a successful executive who worked from home. His Golden Retriever, Cooper, had mastered basic commands like "sit" and "stay." But during video calls, Cooper would bark at delivery trucks or demand attention, making Mark look unprofessional. Sound familiar?

Understanding Professional Dog Training: Beyond the Basics

Why Basic Obedience Isn't the Complete Answer

Here's what many don't realize: basic obedience is just the foundation. It's like learning to type – essential, but not enough to write a bestseller. Real success comes from building a ...

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Heartbreaker

Uncategorized Nov 02, 2019
My three-year-old grandson has a special gift. 

Like most young children his age, he knows how to charm adults to get what he wants, but he has more flare than I’ve seen in most preschoolers.

I do realize that I could have a skewed viewpoint because he is my grandson, but I have been around a lot of small children. 

This little guy has some real pizzazz.

Usually, when he wants something, I can first tell in his eyes. 

His eyes twinkle until the twinkle spreads to the rest of his face and into a full-face grin. 

Then he will come up next to me, grab my hand, and say something like, "How are you, My Sweet?"

I know I’m being played, but this kid is absolutely ADORABLE!

It takes everything in me to remain strong.

No, you may not eat an entire bag of candy.

No, you will not get away with hitting your sister.

No, you may not have all the toys to yourself. You do need to share.

It’s a struggle!

Do you know who my grandson reminds me of? My youngest and smallest dog, Archie.

Ar
...
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Don't Look Under The Bed

Uncategorized Oct 26, 2019
In my house, unusual things are more likely to happen than in the average household.

About a month ago, my son Jon, who is 6’1" and the size of a linebacker, walked into my kitchen wearing a cattle skull mask. 

He was prepping for a school project. 

My dogs didn’t even look at him.

Around the same time, my daughter Lizzie brought Jon an Oriental Bamboo Cone hat from Chinatown. 

He loved it and wore it around the house for a while. 

My dogs didn’t care.

My younger sons will often play in their old Halloween costumes. 

They will jump out from behind corners, yell, and run away. 

My dogs ignore them.

Strange looking costumes, hats of all shapes and sizes, and frightening masks appear on people of all ages throughout the year in our house. 

Halloween is just a happy excuse to go out in public wearing our fun gear. 

Our dogs are not surprised or startled by any of these because it’s something they are used to.

Halloween is a lot of fun, but it can be frightening for dogs—es
...
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Never Test The Depth Of The Water With Both Feet

Uncategorized Oct 20, 2019
There is a show business saying; "Never work with kids or animals."

It’s certainly true if you’re worried about always performing well and never being embarrassed.

Any seasoned parent will tell you that kids do and say the craziest things.

I’ve lost track of how many times my kids have done or said something that made me look like an idiot.

Recently, I was taking a video of a dog I am working with, so I could send his family an update on his progress. 

Right at the end, my little boys started arguing in the background-- over cereal.

Why?

Because they are brothers and they find ANY reason to argue.

Guess what, I still sent the video.

I just added an apology for the argument at the end.

This is my life.

I’m real about it.

Do you know what else I’m real about?

I’ll let you in on a secret.

My dogs aren’t perfect.

Yes, my dogs can do some really cool things.

They better be able to - my daughter Lizzie and I are trainers.

But they have bad days and so do we.

Sometimes I think tha
...
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Late Night Shenanigans

Uncategorized Oct 12, 2019
What a crazy week I’ve had!

Three of my grandchildren have come to stay with us for a while. 

Their ages are four, three, and two.

I’ve been busy working on teaching these three adorable little ones the rules of my house, such as food is only allowed at the kitchen table, little ones are not allowed to change the song I’m playing on Alexa, and never put your face in a dog’s face.

I’ve also been working hard on getting the three on our schedule. 

The first night was a fun one, let me tell you! 

My husband woke me up at midnight, saying, "The monkeys are running the circus." 

They sure were. 

Not only were the little ones up playing, but they got my six-year-old and nine-year-old to join them- on a school night! 

I was not pleased.

The good news is, things are getting easier every day. 

The little ones are learning the rules and the schedule, and there have been no more midnight parties, from the littles anyway- my college students are another story.

I was talking with
...
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Use It ... Or Lose It

Uncategorized Oct 05, 2019
Hi, 
 
Right now, both my 6-year old and my Golden retriever are exhausting me. 

The reason?

Every time I sit down to relax, they want to work.

My 6-year old has discovered reading and writing, and he wants to practice ALL the time! 

Of course, it’s adorable. 

It’s so cute when he brings me his Early Readers and shows me how he can read the sentences. 

I love it when he wants to write about how much he loves school and his family. 

But I swear the kid can practice until my eyes glaze over and all I hear is faint mumbling in the background.

My Golden Retriever isn’t much different. 

Boy, that dog loves to work! 

Guess what he likes to do? 

Retrieve. 

He’s not fussy. 

Generally, he gets me the laundry out of the dryer so I can fold it. 

He was trained to do that. 

But if he doesn’t have enough work for the day, he finds other things to bring me like the toilet paper from the bathroom, or any random sock that a kid left on the floor, or he will look in a closet for jack
...
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