Centre Stage Dog Training

06/10/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions is that socialization is meeting every, or many, people and dogs while a puppy is young.
Really, socialization is being exposed to the novelty of the world including different surfaces, sounds, problem solving, people, dogs, locations, and the unexpected that life brings. Even more than just being exposed to it, it is learning to be comfortable and how to feel during these experiences!
Here are a few clips from Benson's first two weeks home, and we have much more to come! The key is to go at the puppy's pace, work at a distance, and help them to have a positive experience.
Have questions about our puppy socialization protocol? Drop them below!

06/09/2026

While summer brings plenty to enjoy, it can also present unique challenges for our pups. Changes in routine, increased activity, warmer temperatures, and busier environments can leave you wishing you had done some extra winter and spring dog training to prepare! Here are a few tips to keep in mind to help your dog stay happy, healthy, and successful this summer.

While summer brings plenty to enjoy, it can also present unique challenges for our pups. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help your dog stay happy, healthy, and successful this summer.

06/08/2026

Join 10 week old future service dog, Benson, on a socialization outing!
We keep our socializtion outings, short, positive, and boring as they are focused on building confidence, neutrality, and having my puppy enjoy working with me in different environments. We do a few minutes of watching and attention games outside, repeat these inside, and head home!
Puppy socialization trips are one of my favorite parts of puppyhood, I love watching each individual puppy learn about the world in different ways.
What are your go to places for puppy socialization?

06/05/2026

Most of puppy raising is setting your environment up for success, for your puppy and for you! Here are some key things I do as a professional dog trainer when I have a puppy:
1) Crates, and several of them! I have crates in my main areas, as well as next to my bed for the first bit my puppy is home
2) x-pen set up and baby gate to safely contain a puppy and prevent them from making unwanted choices, furbo pet cam to watch the puppy when left alone
3) Movable tether for tether/settlng training
4) a rotation of bones and toys to keep my puppy fulfilled and entertained from day to day,
5) a leash, shoes, treats, and p**p bags by the door for easy, successful potty breaks
6) treat stations around the house to reinforce good decisions and do quick training!
What are your staples when you have a puppy?

06/03/2026

Things I would never do as a service dog trainer, or recommend my clients do and WHY:
1) follow or get close to fakes or pets in stores- there is no reason to put your service dog at risk if you can avoid it or handle it by going to store employees.
2) Push through an outing when a dog isn't ready or is stressed- one bad experience can create lasting impacts! Your dog's health and wellness is more important than any outing, it is important you have ways to adjust or leave if your dog needs a break.
3) Use aversives to make my dog behave. Nope- your dog should work because they are comfortable and understand the criteria well enough to perform it without suppression from aversives.
4) Skip temperament testing. While a temperament test doesn't guarantee placement, it does tell you a lot about a dog's strengths and weaknesses and whether they'd be a good candidate for training.
4) Relying only on a service dog- service dogs need days off and make mistakes! They should never be the FULL plan!

06/01/2026

We went into puppy testing with a plan, and quickly lost the plot... Just kidding, kind of... Puppy testing was filled with lots of cuteness, a special guest, and lots of laughs!

05/30/2026

It's too hard to get work done when I'm staring at him all day

05/29/2026

Does puppy temperament testing tell you if a dog will become a service dog?
No, there's no way to know for sure what dogs will graduate as a service dog, but puppy testing gives you a good start for the baseline qualities we are looking for! Temperament tests provide insight into a puppies strengths and weaknesses, which allows us to pick the best match for a clients lifestyle or for our program!
Have questions about how we puppy test? Drop them below!

05/27/2026

As a dog trainer, I don't care what breed your dog is, how fancy their collars, leashes, vests, etc. are as long as they're well fitting, if they're allowed on furniture or given people food, and I certainly don't care if we have to go "slower" than planned.
Meet your dog where they're at, they'll thank you for it!

05/25/2026

"I could never let them go", this is probably the most common phrase I hear when out with a dog in training.
As if we won't miss them, as if we don't cry when they go. But it's so much more than that, you don't raise them to be yours, you raise them for a greater purpose. And there is no better feeling in the world than hearing about the dog you raised changing someones life