My Best Buddy Dog Training

09/05/2026

Trigger Stacking: When Your Dog Has Had ENOUGH! Ever notice that your dog handles something normally, but then suddenly reacts to something they usually wouldn’t? That may be trigger stacking!

Think of your dog’s stress level like a cup. ☕️Some dogs have smaller cups (threshold), others have larger cups! Some triggers:

A loud truck
A strange dog
A busy environment
A new person reaching for them
A stressful trip to the vet

Each experience adds a little more to the cup. If your dog doesn’t get enough time to relax between them, the cup can overflow! That's when you see them lose control.When that happens, you may see barking, lunging, jumping, hiding, freezing, or other behaviors that seem “out of the blue.” But, it's never just "out of the blue".

It doesn’t mean your dog is being stubborn or difficult. They may simply be overwhelmed.

What can you do? Give your dog breaks, create some distance from triggers, and let them decompress after stressful or exciting experiences. Don't rush, let them go at their pace.

Sometimes the best training decision is simply saying, “My dog has had enough for today.” Need help? Call, text or email us!

09/04/2026

Hounds Around Town is coming back! Ready to take your dog's training out into the real world?

Hounds Around Town is designed to help you and your dog practice the skills you need for everyday life in public while building confidence, focus, and a stronger relationship. This class is ideal for our My Best Buddy class graduates and for dogs who have some basic training and are comfortable and friendly around both people and other dogs.

We'll work on practical skills such as polite greetings, walking nicely, staying focused around distractions, settling in public, and being a good canine citizen. And there's a goal to work toward!
Earn your AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title!

09/03/2026

So You Adopted an Adult Dog… Now What? First—congratulations! Bringing home an adult dog can be incredibly rewarding, but remember: your new dog has just experienced a HUGE life change. They don't know your routine yet. They don't know your expectations. And they may not even know that this is their forever home.

Here are a few things to remember:

Give them time to decompress. Keep things calm and predictable at first. You don't need to introduce them to everyone or take them everywhere on day one.

Observe before you assume. Your new dog is communicating with you constantly. Watch their body language and learn what makes them comfortable, worried, excited, or overwhelmed.

Start training right away—but keep it simple. Training isn't about correcting everything your dog does wrong. It's about teaching them how to successfully live in their new environment.

Use reinforcement to build new behaviors. Reward the behaviors you want to see more often. Behaviors that are reinforced are more likely to be repeated.

Create routines. Regular meal times, walks, rest, potty breaks, and training sessions can help your dog figure out what to expect.

Build the relationship first. Your new dog doesn't need to be perfect. They need to learn that you are a safe, predictable person they can trust.

And remember…Your adult dog isn't a blank slate—but they're not "too old to train" either! Dogs continue to learn throughout their lives. With patience, appropriate reinforcement, and an understanding of canine behavior, you can help your new best friend become comfortable and confident in their new home.

Need help getting started? Call, text or email us!

MyBestBuddyDogTraining.com

09/03/2026

Bernie is a class grad and in full teenager mode at 8 months of age! We had a tune up lesson this morning. Being a puppy is hard work! Luckily he’s the most perfect !

09/02/2026

Ever wonder what we actually DO during Hounds Around Town? 👀🐶

If you’ve ever thought, “Okay, but what happens in this class?” — check out the video! 🎥

Hounds Around Town is all about getting out into the real world and practicing those important skills around real-life distractions. Because sitting pretty in your living room is one thing… doing it when there’s a squirrel, a shopping cart, and 47 exciting smells is a whole different story! 😂

Check out the video and see what Hounds Around Town is all about! 👇

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOAel7P9-iZ-zh3PpYNDEVRK41CB09LcL&si=ns0QNNfV76jVcgJt

🐕 September is the perfect time to get back out and about!

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

09/02/2026

https://youtu.be/FLzsgipnDhA?si=28d58kC8OAgZ1Sha

Week 7!

09/02/2026

Big progress with Tucker the today. He actually enjoyed himself was able to ignore his triggers and enjoyed doing dog stuff! I’m so pleased!

09/02/2026

How Do You Know When Your Dog Is Over Threshold?

A dog that is over threshold isn't being stubborn or ignoring you—they're experiencing a level of stress or excitement where the emotional part of the brain takes over.

When this happens, stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol prepare the body for survival. As a result, the brain has a harder time processing information, making decisions, and responding to cues they've learned before.

Common signs your dog is over threshold (there are more, these are a few!):

• Stops taking treats (even favorites)
• Stares intensely at a trigger
• Barks, lunges, or pulls
• Pants when they aren't hot
• Freezes or tries to escape
• Can't respond to their name or simple cues

Instead of asking for more "obedience", help your dog return to a state where learning is possible:

✅ Increase distance from the trigger.
✅ Give them time to decompress.
✅ Reinforce calm behavior once they're able to engage with you again.

Research in animal learning tells us that dogs learn best when they feel safe enough to think. Keeping your dog below threshold builds confidence, creates positive associations, and leads to faster, more reliable learning over time.

Need help? Call, text or email us! We are your canine life coaches!

🌐 MyBestBuddyDogTraining.com

09/01/2026

This little guy will be in our September class. We are working on stuff ahead of class as his family has some big goals for him!

09/01/2026

Ways to Use a Kong

A Kong can be so much more than a toy—it can be a powerful enrichment tool that helps your dog use their brain, relax, and learn good habits.

Here are some fun ways to use one:

1. Slow down mealtime - Put your dog's regular food inside a Kong to turn dinner into a fun puzzle. Eating becomes an activity instead of a quick gulp!

2. Help with crate training - Give your dog a special stuffed Kong while they're relaxing in their crate. This helps create a positive association with their crate.

3. Practice alone time - A stuffed Kong can help your dog learn that being away from you can come with good things!

4. Provide mental enrichment - Dogs need more than physical exercise! They need brain work. Problem-solving activities like working on a Kong help tire their brains too.

5. Make a special treat - Try stuffing it with: Dog-safe peanut butter (xylitol-free!), pumpkin, banana, plain yogurt, cooked vegetables,

Bonus tip: Freeze your stuffed Kong for a longer-lasting challenge!

The science: Enrichment activities encourage natural behaviors like licking, chewing, and problem-solving. Licking can also have a calming effect for many dogs, making a Kong a great tool for relaxation and confidence building.

🌐 www.MyBestBuddyDogTraining.com