Is Your Dog Giving You A Hard Time? Or Is Your New Puppy More Than You Bargained For?
Whether your current pup has developed into a difficult roommate or your new one is more of a handful than you expected, training can feel daunting if you don’t know where to start. That’s where we come in – we offer expert at-home training for dogs and puppies in the Waco area.
Our focus is on building confidence in your dog and giving you the tools for success. We want to help you create a happy, healthy, and well-mannered companion that will make your family proud. Training your dog doesn’t have to be hard or frustrating – let us show you how easy and fun it can be!
Read on to find the perfect at-home training program for you!
What Our Confident Clients Are Saying
My shelter dog, Maggie, and I have learned so much thanks to Mike and Lisa. They taught me how to deal with behaviors like fence aggression which is no longer an issue!
~ Marilyn M.
My experience with The Confident Hound gave me the confidence and skills needed to become the best dog owner I could be.
~ Claire O.
The Confident Hound has done so much for our dog! He has come a long way from the over-the-top barking pup to a friend-to-everyone goofy Golden.
~ Anne L.
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🎃👻 Got a stranger danger dog who isn`t a fan of Halloween visitors? Here are some tips to help them stay calm when trick-or-treaters come knocking:
🔸Create A Safe Space – Set up a cozy, quiet room where your dog can retreat, away from the doorbell and spooky sounds. 🛋️🧸
🔸Use White Noise Or Calming Music – Drown out the doorbell and chatter with soothing sounds or white noise. 🎶
🔸Give Them Something To Do – Keep them busy with a puzzle toy or chew during peak trick-or-treating hours. 🧩🍖
🔸Practice Ahead Of Time – Do some mock doorbell practice with treats so your dog can associate the sound with something positive. 🍬🐕
🔸Costume Caution – Keep costumes simple or skip them altogether if they stress your dog out—let them rock their natural look! 🐾👑
Remember, Halloween is all about fun! It shouldn`t be stressful for your pup OR you.
#theconfidenthound #notricksjusttreats #reactivedog #fearfuldog #anxiousdog #nervousdog #howloween #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas
👻🎃💀 Is Your Dog Scared Of Halloween Lawn Decor? Call The Dog Trainer! 🐾😂
As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to take your dog to a local store that sells decorations and practice gradually introducing them to spooky sights and sounds! Here’s how to make the outing enjoyable for both of you:
Start Slow: Begin with a walk around the store to help your dog acclimate to the bustling environment before diving into the Halloween section.
Gradual Exposure: When you reach the Halloween decor, take your time. Let your dog explore one decoration at a time, focusing on the less intimidating items first.
Use Treats for Encouragement: Reward your pup with treats and praise whenever they show curiosity or approach a decoration. This helps create positive associations with new experiences.
Stay Calm and Confident: Your dog can pick up on your energy, so keep a relaxed demeanor to help them feel secure in this new setting.
Keep Visits Short and Sweet: Limit your time in the store to avoid overwhelming your dog. A brief visit can help build their confidence without the stress.
This adventure not only prepares your dog for the Halloween festivities ahead but also strengthens your bond through shared experiences. Happy exploring! 🐾✨ What tips do you have for helping your dog adapt to new environments? Share your thoughts below!
#theconfidenthound #reactivedog #fearfuldog #anxiousdog #nervousdog #howloween #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas
Hear what our Waco clients have to say about their dog training experience with us 👇
"The Confident Hound has done so much for our dog! He has come a long way from the over-the-top barking pup to a friend-to-everyone goofy Golden" - Anne L.
Are you a dog parent in Waco who is ready to start your training journey?
Comment “training” and we’ll send you a link.
#theconfidenthound #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour
#dogtraining101 #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainingtips
🏡🐾 Moving to a new home or recently moved back to college? 🐾🏡
Relocating can be tough on the whole family, including our canine family members! From packing up boxes to adjusting to a new space, it can be hard for our dogs to cope with the changes and disruption to their routine. But there are ways to help your pup feel more relaxed during this chaotic time! 🐶✨
Check out this blog post for 7 essential tips to make moving with your dog as stress-free as possible:
1️⃣ Designate a bin for your dog’s daily essentials 🧳
2️⃣ Plan where your dog will be on moving day 🏠
3️⃣ Keep their routine consistent ⏰
4️⃣ Use enrichment to keep them entertained 🎾
5️⃣ Make the drive comfy and fun 🚗
6️⃣ Be ready for a training reset 🐕
7️⃣ Prevent unwanted behaviors in the new home 🚫
With these tips, you’ll help your four-legged friend feel right at home. Comment "moving" to get insightful moving tips that keep your dog`s comfort in mind!
And if you`re moving or recently moved to Waco, Texas...Welcome! Check out our website to learn how our at-home training programs can help you and your dog make a good first impression with your neighbors. You will also find helpful resources on the @wacoanimalcoalition website!
#theconfidenthound #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas
#dogbehavior #dogbehaviour
#dogtraining101 #puppytraining101 #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainingtips
This myth has been busted so many times, it`s like a drug lord that keeps hiring undercover cops.
The idea of an Alpha, Pack leader, or dominant dog are all completely false. It was introduced to the world in the mid-20th century and has been impossible to kill since. The researcher who coined the term even wrote a second book retracting the conclusions of his flawed study. This myth is like the chlamydia of the dog training industry.
Here are the facts:
🔹Neither dogs nor wolves have an “Alpha” leader. Wolf packs are family units where the parents take responsibility for leading their offspring, as you would expect.
🔹Modern day dogs and wolves are as similar genetically as we are to chimpanzees. They share a lot of DNA, but their behavior, temperament, and environment have evolved along different paths over the past 20,000 years.
🔹Wolves may be “pack” animals, but dogs are not. Dogs are social animals, but they don`t form packs when left to their own devices. Stray dogs tend to live solitarily, only occasionally working together to find food.
🔹Dogs do not have fixed relationship hierarchies with each other. They do not have dominant or submissive personalities. They choose how to interact with each other on a case by case basis and given the history between the dogs and each dog`s desired outcome. Dogs are interested in avoiding and de-escalating conflict when they feel they can. All of the same goes for their relationship with you.
🤔 If this takes you by surprise and you want to dig deeper - GOOD! You should be skeptical of what you read online. You`re my kind of people and I`m happy to provide links to more information. Comment MYTH on the post and I`ll DM you some resources.
#theconfidenthound #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas #dogbehavior #dogbehaviour
#dogtraining101 #puppytraining101 #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainingtips #puppytrainingtips #puppysocialization #forcefreedogtraining #dominanceisdead #alphamyths
🚫 Avoid These Common Puppy Socialization Mistakes! 🐾
1️⃣ Waiting On Vaccines: Socialization shouldn’t be delayed until your puppy’s vaccines are complete. The AVSAB recommends socializing your pup early, even with proper safety measures to protect against diseases. There are plenty of safe ways to expose your puppy to new experiences!
2️⃣ Not Being Intentional: Socialization should be a focused activity, not just multitasking. Set aside time to introduce your puppy to new experiences and environments intentionally. Also, start teaching them to enjoy independent play and spending time alone, which helps them adapt to daily life.
3️⃣ Going To Overcrowded Spaces: While dog parks and daycares have their place, they shouldn’t be the primary way your puppy learns about interacting with other dogs. Supervised playdates with well-matched dogs offer a better opportunity for positive, controlled socialization.
4️⃣ Allowing Interactions TOO Soon: Avoid letting kids or others hold your puppy too soon. Kids might not always hold your pup gently, which can create fear. Instead, let your puppy approach and interact with children on their own terms to build positive associations.
5️⃣ Overexposure: Limit how often your puppy interacts with strangers. Overexposure can lead to reactivity in the future. Teach your pup that most people are just background characters and should be calmly ignored, helping them stay well-adjusted.
🐶 Need guidance on effective puppy socialization?
👇 Comment “socialization” to learn more about our effective puppy training services that focus on socialization and training on all of the common puppy antics right here in Waco!
#theconfidenthound #wacotexas #wacotx #wacotown #dogsofwaco #dogsoftexas #puppytrainingtips #puppysocialization #puppytraining101