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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The Name Game
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…
Why Use a Crate and How to Crate Train
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…
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)…
Hiking With Dogs
When’s the best time to go hiking with dogs? How about now! The weather is cooling down and there’s a crispness in the air. Say goodbye to muggy heat and mosquitos and hello to more opportunities for hiking with your…
Gentle Leader
If you’re a pet parent, odds are you’ve probably heard the term ‘gentle leader’ before. But what exactly is this training tool? How does it differ from other dog leashes or harnesses? Simply put, a gentle leader is an inexpensive…
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…
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…
