Puppy Talk

Does Your Puppy Really Need a Backyard?

Many people assume that having a backyard is essential to raising a happy, well-behaved puppy. But the truth is, your puppy doesn't need a backyard to thrive. In thi

Why Your Dog Is Reactive on Leash and What to Do About It

When your dog reacts to another dog or a person on leash, it can become very stressful, embarrassing, and exhausting. Many of the people I work with have leash-reactive d

The Best Leash Training Equipment for Your Puppy

Many people would love to have their dog walk beside them on a loose leash, never pulling or moving from side to side. Most dog owners never achieve this goal for a varie

The Biggest Potty Training Mistake New Puppy Owners Make

Waiting for the puppy to tell you they need to go outside is a mistake that can cause more accidents than almost anything else. New puppy owners often expect their puppy

Puppy Expectations vs. Reality: What Every New Puppy Owner Needs to Know

Bringing home a puppy is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming when reality doesn't match your expectations. If you've ever wondered why your puppy won&apos

5 Easy Ways to Add Mental Stimulation to Your Puppy's Daily Routine

Raising a puppy is about more than exercise and play. Their growing brains need a workout too. In this episode of Puppy Talk, Dale Buchanan shares five simple and effecti

Are You Stressing Out Your Puppy Without Realizing It?

Could your own stress be making your puppy fearful or anxious? In this episode of Puppy Talk, we explore how puppies pick up on our emotions, common ways owners unintenti

The Secret to a Well-Behaved Puppy: Build the Relationship First

A well-behaved puppy starts with a strong relationship. In this episode of Puppy Talk, we explore why trust and connection are the foundation of successful training. You&

Start Socializing Your Puppy Early

It's very important to start socializing your puppy as soon as you bring them home. They need to be introduced ot a variety of people, places, sights, and sounds. In

Should Strangers Pet Your Dog in Public?

In this episode of Puppy Talk, I discuss whether or not you should allow people to pet your dog in public locations on field trips. The answer may surprise you.  If you

Why Punishing a Puppy Doesn't Work

Should you punish your puppy for accidents, chewing, biting, or jumping? In this episode of Puppy Talk Podcast, Dale Buchanan explains why punishment often creates confus

Your Dog Is Not Giving You a Hard Time. Your Dog Is Having a Hard Time.

Many behavior problems are rooted in stress, confusion, fear, frustration, or overstimulation, not stubbornness or “bad” behavior. Owners often misread what their dogs ar

Is Your Dog Bored?

Dogs need more than just food and shelter. They also require mental and physical stimulation. A bored dog might appear to be lazy or a troublemaker, but in many cases, it

Keep Training Simple for Your Puppy

In this episode I talk about why and how to keep the training simple for your puppy early in their training program.  Why it’s best to keep it simple. Focus on the found

22 Awesome Tips for New Puppy Owners

These are the same tips that we give all my clients when they hire me to help train their puppies.  I suggest listening to this episode multiple times and reading the tra

How Dog Owners Teach Bad Habits Without Realizing It

In this episode of Puppy Talk, we talk about how many common dog behavior problems are accidentally taught by the owners themselves. Jumping, barking, leash pulling, and

What Calm Looks Like in a Dog (And Why Most Owners Miss It)

Most dog owners think calm means a dog that is tired or doing nothing, but real calmness is something different. In this episode of Puppy Talk, we talk about what calm be

Should You Teach Your Puppy Tricks?

Many people get a new puppy and immediately start teaching it to shake, high-five, and roll over. In this episode of Puppy Talk, I am going to explain the advantages and

Is Your Dog Confused or Disobedient?

Most owners think their dog is being stubborn, ignoring them, or choosing not to listen. But in many cases, the dog is not being disobedient at all. The dog is confused.

Three Habits To Begin With Your New Puppy on Day One

Most of us focus on the cute parts of bringing home a puppy. Cuddling, playing, and taking lots of photos. What if we focused on the habits that prevent behavior issues f