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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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…

A dog sits at a woman's feet in a dog training class.

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…

Close up of a dog playing tug with a human in the snow.

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…

A dog lies comfortable on a couch covered with a blanket

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…

Close up of a dog targeting a woman's hand during training.

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…

A small dog stands inside a crate.

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…

A dog and a puppy lay in the grass outside.

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…

Two dogs play tug over a toy outside.

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…

Small dog unrolls a red carpet during training class.

Roll Out the Red Carpet

With our Circus Dog Class only a week away and everyone getting excited for the big event under the big top, we thought it the perfect time to introduce a simple but fun trick. Rolling out the red carpet is…

Headshot of a Boston Terrier out in a field of wildflowers.

Dog First-Aid Kit Essentials

Having a first-aid kit assembled and ready for your dog is an important part of being a pet parent. Emergencies can strike at any time, and it’s always best to be prepared when they do. To help, we’ve assembled a…

Dog chews on a bone while lying on the floor at home.

Why Bother with Mealtime Training?

Mealtime or kitchen training is the act of training your dog to remain calm and out of the way while you are in your kitchen cooking or preparing meals. Many pet parents don’t bother with mealtime training and assume it’s…

Small dog sits on a colorful stand with a circus backdrop.

The Circus is Back in Town!

You heard that right, folks. Our Circus Dog class is back in town and only comes once a year! If you and your dog are graduates of AWS Basic Training (or an equivalent obedience group class), are looking for unique,…

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Adoptable Daisy loooooves butt scritches!!!!#adoptme #asmr

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Adoptable Daisy loooooves butt scritches!!!!#adoptme #asmr

As @fema`s Disaster Preparedness Month comes to a close, we remind everyone to prepare not only themselves, but their pets as well. As you put together your disaster preparedness kit, remember that no matter the type of emergency, it’s always important to have updated and accurate contact information for:

☎️ Your local first responders (911 and non-emergency contact information)
☎️ Your local animal shelters (like AWS if you live in York County)
☎️ Animal control officers (usually reached through the police or sheriff non-emergency number)

Bookmarking their websites and following them on social media is a great way to keep in touch during an emergency. These points of contact could help in a multitude of ways by providing information, safety, or resources for you and your pet during a disaster. Your County Animal Response Team (CART), part of your county’s emergency management agency may also offer resources. In times of great emergency, AWS partners with local emergency organizations to provide a safe haven for pets when their people must evacuate and enter a local emergency shelter.

For more information on disaster preparedness for your pet, visit our website: https://animalwelfaresociety.org/helpful-resources/disaster-preparedness/

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As @fema's Disaster Preparedness Month comes to a close, we remind everyone to prepare not only themselves, but their pets as well. As you put together your disaster preparedness kit, remember that no matter the type of emergency, it’s always important to have updated and accurate contact information for: ☎️ Your local first responders (911 and non-emergency contact information) ☎️ Your local animal shelters (like AWS if you live in York County) ☎️ Animal control officers (usually reached through the police or sheriff non-emergency number) Bookmarking their websites and following them on social media is a great way to keep in touch during an emergency. These points of contact could help in a multitude of ways by providing information, safety, or resources for you and your pet during a disaster. Your County Animal Response Team (CART), part of your county’s emergency management agency may also offer resources. In times of great emergency, AWS partners with local emergency organizations to provide a safe haven for pets when their people must evacuate and enter a local emergency shelter. For more information on disaster preparedness for your pet, visit our website: https://animalwelfaresociety.org/helpful-resources/disaster-preparedness/

It`s time for Sam`s first daily walk!!!! 🙌🙌

Sam is a handsome young fellow looking for a new family to love. The way to Sam`s heart - snacks. he will never say no to a treat! He loves to take walk and explore the neighborhood with his nose. There isn`t a scent he doesn`t want to investigate further. Looking for a hiking buddy? A beach buddy? A walk around the block buddy? Sam`s the man!
Stop by this weekend to learn more about Sam!!

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It's time for Sam's first daily walk!!!! 🙌🙌 Sam is a handsome young fellow looking for a new family to love. The way to Sam's heart - snacks. he will never say no to a treat! He loves to take walk and explore the neighborhood with his nose. There isn't a scent he doesn't want to investigate further. Looking for a hiking buddy? A beach buddy? A walk around the block buddy? Sam's the man! Stop by this weekend to learn more about Sam!!

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