Pawsitive Canine Academy

09/29/2026

09/25/2026

PCA Friday Feats
This week’s challenge: Hide & Seek!

Put your dog’s recall skills—and their nose—to the test!

Have one person hold your dog while another person hides somewhere in the house. Once they’re hidden, release your dog and have the person call them one time.

Then let the search begin!

Start with an easy hiding spot and make each round a little more challenging. Besides being fun, this game is a great way to practice recall, encourage problem-solving, and give your dog a chance to use their natural scenting abilities.

We would love to see videos!

09/21/2026

Before You Blame the Dog…

When your dog doesn’t listen, it’s easy to think they’re being stubborn, difficult, or simply choosing not to behave.

But before you blame the dog, ask yourself:

Does my dog truly understand what I’m asking?
Have we practiced this behavior in different environments?
Am I asking for too much with the current level of distraction?
Have I been clear and consistent with my expectations?
Have I properly reinforced the behavior I want?

Dogs don’t automatically know how to apply a behavior everywhere just because they’ve learned it somewhere. We hear "he should know better," far too often... if you haven't helped shape the command in many different settings and situations, he definitely doesn't "know better."

A dog that can hold a perfect “place” in your quiet living room may struggle when guests walk through the door. A dog with great recall in the backyard may not be ready to recall away from another dog.

That doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is being stubborn. It might just mean there’s a gap in the training.

09/16/2026

A Tired Dog Isn’t Always a Trained Dog

We’ve all heard it: “A tired dog is a good dog.”

Exercise is important but, simply wearing your dog out isn’t the same as training them. It can often result in an overtired extra bratty dog!

You can run, hike, play fetch, or throw the ball until your dog is exhausted, but physical exercise alone doesn’t teach them how to settle, control impulses, make good choices, or respond to you when distractions are present.

In fact, if your only answer to an energetic dog is more exercise, you may just be building a better athlete.

Dogs need a balance of physical exercise, mental stimulation, structure, and training.

Try adding some mental work into your dog’s day:
🐾 Practice obedience during your walk
🐾 Work on place or a calm down-stay
🐾 Use meals for a short training session
🐾 Practice impulse control around things they want
🐾 Give them appropriate opportunities to use their nose

Sometimes 15 minutes of focused training can challenge a dog in a completely different way than another round of fetch.

Don’t just tire the body—work the brain, too.

09/14/2026

🏆 Rate Your Dog
Be honest… what level is your dog’s recall?
🟢 Comes flying back
🟡 Depends what’s happening
🟠 Pretends they can't hear me
🔴 What recall?