LilyPup Dog Training

07/15/2026

Strong long leash candidate. 😆

07/10/2026

“Close” is one of my favorite real-life skills because it gives your dog a clear place to be when navigating everyday situations. But like any skill, it shouldn’t be introduced for the first time when your dog is already stressed or distracted. Practice in easy, low-stress environments first so the behavior is familiar and reliable when you need it most.

07/06/2026

I was just talking to a friend about this, sometimes the things that work for our dogs don’t always make intuitive sense to us.

Think about it this way: if there were a giant (even supposedly friendly) spider standing in your path, you probably wouldn’t march straight toward it “for practice.” You’d start at a distance where you felt safe, realize it wasn’t going to devour you, and only then consider getting closer.

Our dogs are no different. Distance isn’t avoiding the problem, it’s creating the conditions where they can actually learn. When they’re far enough away to feel safe, their brain can process what’s happening instead of just focusing on survival.

07/05/2026

Sometimes face jail is the answer. 🐾

06/25/2026

This a great list of the many things our dogs will tolerate for us! 🐾

Link in my bio — training and care plan that helps you understand your dog better.

The hardest part about this list is that everything on it comes from love.

Your dog puts up with a lot for you. Worth knowing what actually costs them 🐾

06/09/2026

So true! It’s important to remember that just because a behavior is undesirable to us doesn’t mean the dog understands it’s “wrong.” Most behaviors serve a purpose and often reflect normal canine instincts. Our job isn’t to punish dogs for being dogs, it’s to teach them skills that work better in our human world.

I AIN’T REALLY MISBEHAVING - I’M JUST DOING WHAT DOGS DO!

What we may label as bad behaviour is often nothing more than a dog behaving exactly as nature designed them to.

Dogs are not born understanding human rules, household etiquette or the expectations we place on them.
They don't automatically know that some things are not meant to be chewed, that food left on a countertop is strictly off-limits or that they’re expected to walk calmly on a leash.

When we bring dogs into our lives, we expect them to automatically adapt to a world that is not naturally theirs.
We confine them to houses and yards, expect them to fit into our busy schedules, keep quiet and ignore the countless natural temptations that surround them every day.

When we view behaviour through this lens, frustration should begin to give way to understanding.

Understanding behaviour does not mean allowing dogs to do whatever they want. It means recognizing that behaviour serves a purpose and is fulfilling a need.

Instead of punishing a dog for behaving naturally, we can guide them towards behaviours that are acceptable. We can prevent rehearsal of unwanted behaviour, teach new skills, meet their physical, emotional and social needs, and provide appropriate outlets for their natural needs.

Dogs who are given opportunities to sniff, explore, chew, forage, play, problem-solve and engage with their environment are far better equipped to cope with the expectations placed on them.

The more we understand why dogs do what they do, the more successful we can become at helping them navigate our human world.

When we stop viewing every unwanted behaviour as misbehaviour and start seeing it as communication, we shift from trying to control our dogs to supporting and meeting their needs.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our dogs is our understanding.

06/09/2026

We expect dogs to love every person and every dog they meet, but we don’t expect that from ourselves. Not everyone is our best friend, and that’s okay. Dogs are individuals too, neutral and comfortable is often a much healthier goal than instant friendship. 🐾💙

Our insistence is a problem.
We can be so focused on wanting them to play, wanting them to have friends and wanting them to meet that dog across the road, that we forget what we are trying to actually achieve.

It is always with the best of intentions.

Truly it is.

And then suddenly, “out of the blue”, your dog is now dragging you towards that dog in the distance.
They’re single mindedly intent.

It can start as puppies, its cute and you’re thrilled they want to make friends.

“She just wants to say hello to every dog”
She probably does but are we already knee deep into a well-rehearsed habit?

What happens when they don’t meet?

Is your dog scrambling to get closer on the lead?
Is there barking or whining?
Obvious frustration?

Are they able to walk away and accept “not now”?

More won’t necessarily teach the skills they need.

What does?
Being choosy and careful, especially when on a lead.

Because not every dog wants interaction.
Not every dog is socially skilled.
Not every dog is a good match.

And a few appropriate interactions often teach far more than dozens of random greetings.

05/18/2026

When you’re the dog sitter but the dogs decides your husband is their emotional support human instead. 🥲🐾

05/16/2026

Puppy socialization isn’t about throwing them into daycare chaos and hoping for the best. 🐾

It’s about intentional exposure and carefully chosen dog interactions that teach communication, boundaries, and confidence. The right adult dog can help shape a puppy’s social skills in ways people simply can’t.

Quality exposure > quantity of exposure.
Every single time.

05/15/2026

“What?”
“There she is!”
“Where?”
“There!”
“What, behind the puppy?”
“It is the puppy!”
“You silly sod!”
“What?”
“You got us all worked up!”
“Well, that’s no ordinary puppy…
That’s the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered
canine you ever set eyes on!”
“You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!”
“Look, that puppy’s got a vicious streak a mile
wide! It’s a killer!”
“Get stuffed!”
“I’m warning you!”
“What’s she do, nibble your bum?”
“She’s got huge, sharp— eh— she can leap
about— LOOK AT THE BONES!”