Training Tips & Tricks
Looking for canine training advice? You’ve come to the right place! The AWS Training Team has made a series of videos and blog posts about a variety of training topics. Learn tips to train your dog at home, get ideas on curbing unwanted behaviors, and watch videos on fun “party tricks” you and your dog can use to impress all your friends!
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Why Loose Leash Walking is Beneficial and How to Achieve It
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…
Canine Training Resources
As January is Train Your Dog month, we wanted to reintroduce you to our training program and share with you the canine training resources we offer to help dogs and their people bond, communicate and engage with each other. First…
Simple Games to Play with Your Dog in the Snow
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…
How to Control Counter Surfing
We’ve all been there; you’re right in the middle of cooking and you turn your back for just a moment. Suddenly, your half-baked, tasty treat is gone! You glance down and see that Fido has nabbed your masterpiece right off…
How Stomper Overcame Challenges to Ace his CGC Test
At AWS, we celebrate every victory, big and small, but some milestones stand out. We are excited to announce that Stomper, one of our most resilient and close to heart canine friends, has earned his AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC)…
Pop-Up Puppy Playgroup
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…
The Three D’s of Dog Training
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…
Pop-Up PackWalks
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…
The Great Game of Tug
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…
Rainy Day Dog Training
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…
Teaching Targeting
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…
They Did It!
You may recall a story we shared a few months back about local teams of dogs training to sniff out the invasive spotted lanternfly. Well, we’re happy to report that they did it! All their time and dedication paid off…
Drop It!
Are you constantly chasing your dog around the house after a stolen shoe or sock? Does your dog consistantly seem to be stealing things out from under your nose? Are you worried your dog might grab something potentially dangerous to…
Crate Training Your Dog
Training your dog to be comfortable inside a crate is a terrific management tool. Dogs are natural den animals which means they find comfort and safety sleeping inside an enclosed space. Due to this natural instinct, crates are wonderful for…
Puppy Socialization & Vaccinations
Puppyhood, particularly up until about 4 months of age, is a critical time for dog socialization. This is when your puppy learns how to positively interact with the world and people around them, including other canines. This window of time…
How to Tame Alert Barking
We all get excited when we hear the delivery truck pull up to the curb. But do you have a dog who gets a little too excited? Is there a lot of barking, frantic window watching, or jumping up on…
Canine Fitness and Nutrition
Dogs feel their best when they have a healthy lifestyle that balances diet and exercise. Same as us humans! It can be hard to make sure that your furry friend stays active and eats right. We’ve gathered some helpful tips…
‘Find It’ Game
Looking for an easy, helpful, and resourceful training game to play with your pup? Look no further than ‘find it’! The ‘find it’ game is a low maintenance training activity for you and your dog. It help your pup focus…
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A very sweet Happy Homes! 🐾
"Charlie is doing great in his new home! After having to say goodbye to our last dog in September `23, we met Charlie in February and fell instantly in love. He’s a big, smart, playful, high-energy pupper! It took a few months for him to really get comfortable with us, but now he’s happy and settled in. He loves playing fetch in the yard, keeping watch for squirrels and pedestrians, and snoozing with his people. We’re so happy that this sweet, beautiful boy is part of our lives!"
Visit our profile to read more Happy Homes stories and submit your own!
This active guy just LOVES his new toy! Bronx is an energetic dog who loves his walks and being outside. He’s also been known for great snuggle sessions on the couch! Visit our profile to meet Bronx 🐾
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 your dog without worrying they will pull is important! That’s why we teach loose leash walking. A loose leash walk is defined a walk where there is no tension on the leash.
Enjoy this photo from today’s basic class and visit our profile to learn more about loose leash walking!
Vada Faye sure loves her toys! And she`d love to find a new home full of love and toys 🐾
Visit our profile to meet Vada Faye!
Hopping into a home near you!
Penny and Winston came to AWS on their own paths, both looking for a new family. Despite being in separate kennels, one fateful night they decided they would stage their own meet cute! The rest is history! These two are ear-resistible and couldn’t get enough of spending time together. No-bunny loves like these two!
When Penny met Winston, a bunny story showing now at AWS!
Visit our profile to meet Penny and Winston!
