Training Tips & Tricks

At AWS’s Canine Training program, you learn fast that there are people who like dogs, and then there are dog people. Dog people know the difference between a snuffle mat and a flirt pole, wear treat pouches like fashion accessories…

So you brought an adorable puppy home and are all excited to bond with your new friend! The only thing is that your new puppy is learning to explore their new world with… their mouth. While we don’t want to…

For some dogs, the sound of car keys jingling is the most exciting thing in the world. For others, car rides bring anxiety or even carsickness. Either way, there’s a lot to learn when it comes to making car rides…

Fetch can be a great form of exercise and is an easy way to get your dog moving, especially if your time or mobility is limited. But what if your dog isn’t a natural retriever and prefers to turn the…

Think about how we, as humans, respond to our own names. Imagine you’re at a crowded party when you hear someone excitedly call your name. You turn your head, expecting something good or interesting. Now think about the opposite scenario…

Crate training is a great training and management tool for your dog. Training your dog can benefit all stages of life from being a puppy, adult dog or a senior dog. Not only giving yourself more peace of mind, but…

Teaching your dog to walk with you comfortably is an all-important step if you want to take your dog with you anywhere. Whether it’s a walk on a hiking trail or around a busy city, knowing you can easily walk…

We’re still waiting for more snow on the ground, but we know that in a Maine winter there could be a snow at any point! While many dogs love to run and roll around in the snow, it can also…

Do you have a young puppy eager to get out and play? Are you looking to socialize them with other puppies and their people? Perhaps you want to enroll them in a training class, but can’t commit to a six…

Does your dog ‘sit’ well in your home, but struggles in the backyard? Can your pup ‘stay’ when asked, but only for a short time? By practicing the three D’s of dog training, you can help your dog build fluency…

Are you looking for a more leisurely training opportunity to do with your dog? Are you hoping to get outside more with your pup? Perhaps you just want a simple, fun, but engaging activity the two of you can do…

Need a training game that your dog will both love and learn from? What about an activity that will tire them out physically and mentally? If so, the great game of tug is perfect for your dog! It may seem…

Sometimes the weather doesn’t allow us to get out and exercise our dogs as much as we’d like. Sometimes the skies open up and bad weather is predicted for days on end. When this happens, our canine companions can start…

Have you ever heard of targeting? This simple but important training technique is a great foundation behavior for your dog to learn. Simply put, targeting is teaching your dog to touch (or ‘target’) an object with a part of their…