Force-Free Dog Training In Waco, Texas and McLennan County!
Check Out Some Of Our Confident Hounds!
✨ EXPAND YOUR DOG'S TOOLBELT ✨
Dog training is about giving your dog the TOOLS they need to communicate with you & live successfully in our world. Their BEHAVIORS are the tools.
Some tools are INSTINCTUAL and help fulfill your dog's needs (e.g., chewing). Other tools will need to be TAUGHT to your dog (e.g., loose leash walking).
As you teach your dog more behaviors, their toolbelt expands. Having a variety of tools helps us all solve our problems more effectively.
A dog that constantly jumps on you is suffering from the "hammer in search of a nail" problem. SOLUTION: Let's give them more tools!
Teach your dog behaviors you prefer, such as standing or a nose touch. With more options on their toolbelt, they will swing that hammer at fewer problems!
What behaviors can you add to your dog's toolbelt?
✨ SHY DOG TRAINING TIP ✨
We have always owned dogs who are slow to warm up to strangers. We come across these types of dogs when volunteering at shelters/rescues and in our work with clients. Along the way, we realized that building a relationship with these types of dogs is often helped by the presence of a more outgoing dog or a person that the dog already likes and trusts. That person/dog acts as a liaison to a relationship with us.
The nerdy term for this psychological phenomenon is social referencing: "the process wherein infants use the affective displays of an adult to regulate their behaviors toward environmental objects, persons, and situations." This is why when a kid falls down, it's helpful not to panic - your reaction may exacerbate how scared and upset they feel about what just happened, despite the actual level of pain or damage.
There are many training skills we use to build trust with dogs who are shy, fearful, and/or stressed in the presence of new people. This tactic does NOT replace implementing management, stress-relieving enrichment activities, and counterconditioning. But this trick is one we've noticed helps in nearly every case. We love seeing a shy dog's personality blossom the moment a friend is there to guide them!
💙 ANNOUNCEMENT 💙
The Confident Hound is a part-time, small business run completely by husband & wife team, Mike & Lisa. We enjoyed growing our business these past couple years and now we're expanding our family too. We've mentioned it a bit on our social media, but consider this our official announcement that we are expecting our first child in less than 2 months! Ace is excited to meet his little brother and train him to drop snacks on the ground.
In preparation, we are taking a break from working with clients starting in August. We will be on hiatus through January 2022, but then Lisa will be coming back as a full-time trainer! This means we'll be able to expand our services beyond just private 1-on-1 training and accommodate more dog parents in the Waco area and beyond.
Stay tuned! We will still post dog training content on social media during our hiatus and we have a few projects in the works. We're excited to use this time to do some continuing education and also document what it's like managing an infant and a senior dog with special needs.
Special thanks to @myttonphotography for capturing these sweet moments of our family.
✨ TRAINING MINDSET TIP ✨
Think more "Yes!" and less "NO".
It's really easy for us to call out all the things that we don't like, but a lot harder to acknowledge all the things our dogs (and kids...and spouses...and ourselves!) do throughout the day that are awesome. Because of this, most clients reply to our request for their training goals with a list of negatively-worded statements like: "Don't jump on guests" and "Stop pulling on the leash".
This gives us a clear picture of what the dog is doing "wrong", but very little information about what they would prefer their dog do INSTEAD. So we have them paint a picture of what their dog could do in those moments to get a "Yes!" from them. How about: "Greets guests in a standing position" or "Walks close enough to me that the leash is loose"?
Take any problem you're having and rephrase it as the solution. Presto! Now you know what behaviors to look for and can reward them more easily. Practice this mindset and you'll surprise yourself with how many opportunities you have each day to say "YES!".
⚠️ Prioritize Socialization Over Manners ⚠️
🐶 Laika is a 16 week old Cockapoo puppy. We have been working with her family since the week before they brought her home. During that time we have done very little "basic manners" training. Why? Because it can wait. You know what can't wait? SOCIALIZATION.
🪟 Your puppy has a prime socialization window up until ~16 weeks (max). During this time, they are more open-minded and optimistic about new people, places, object, situations, etc. That window is your critical time to lay a foundation of belief that the human world is safe and fun.
🧀 We do this by pairing every experience possible with a positive thing, such as a tasty piece of food. See a vacuum? Here's some cheese. Hear a garbage truck? Have some bacon.
👩🏫 It can be so tempting to teach your puppy sit, stay, come, etc when they first come home. But guess what? They can learn 2+2=4 at any age with relative ease. What's more tricky is trying to teach an adolescent or adult dog to FEEL confident in their daily life.
🥰 So let those first 8 weeks be about building a bond, creating a routine, and forming positive associations with things your pup is likely to encounter often in their daily life.
On this day every year we remember our first dog, Artemis. Today is the 2nd anniversary of her passing away at the early age of 5 from an aggressive, terminal cancer. She went from a healthy athlete who could pick up any training skill to gone from our lives within 6 months.
Somehow it feels like just yesterday she was with us and also like another lifetime. Not a single day has passed where we don't turn to each other and say, "I miss her, she was the best dog."
Artemis' struggles with fear and anxiety led us down the path to learning about dog training and opening The Confident Hound. Her silhouette is immortalized in our logo and what she taught us is present with every client we work with. Her legacy will be every dog and pet parent who we help gain confidence so they can enjoy their time together.
Last year we wrote the story of the hound that started it all. The blog post can be found through our bio link if you'd like to meet our soul dog.
Can Dogs Get Jealous?. My quick thoughts on what we know about the emotion of jealousy among dogs and how I interpret common scenarios where a dog's behavior is labeled jealousy. I reference a comic by @nathanwpylestrangeplanet where two dogs both swarm a human for affection.
✨ QUESTIONS SKILLED DOG TRAINERS ASK THEMSELVES ✨
A pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's why preventing unwanted behaviors before they happen is a major step in all of our training plans.
The more you rehearse a bad habit, the better you get at it. The better you get at it, the harder that habit is to break. Isn't it easier to stop stress-snacking if you ensure those temptations never enter your house? The same goes for your dog.
In dog training this can look like:
1️⃣ Restricting a counter-surfing dog's access to the kitchen when you're not around.
2️⃣ Detoxing a reactive dog from their triggers by taking a couple weeks off from neighborhood walks.
3️⃣ Putting your enthusiastic greeter of a dog behind a baby gate while guests enter the home.
Why swim upstream trying to change a habit? Make it easy on yourself an invest in the prevention piece of the puzzle. Sometimes prevention is SO powerful that we don't need to do any formal training!
🇺🇸 Wishing you a safe and stress-free Independence Day!
🎆 As the owners of a dog who panics during fireworks, we understand first-hand how this holiday can be something to dread. If you haven't already done so today, here are a few quick tips to get through tonight:
1) Get your dog out for some nice decompressing exercise or activity, whether it be a swim in the pool, playing fetch, or a long sniffy walk. For our dog, a sniffy car ride is exactly what fills his emotional cup.
2) Prepare some enrichment activities now to give your dog tonight, such as a frozen Kong, a puzzle toy, or a long-lasting, digestible chew.
3) Embrace white noise and music. Though classical music and reggae are often our first choice for soothing options, some 80s rock will drown out the booms better and can be a net positive.
4) Talk to your neighbors. Let them know your dog doesn't do well with the noises. They might offer up to take their show elsewhere or cut back shooting off the louder ones. Our neighbors very sweetly stopped by today to let us know they'll only be doing some small ones and the specific timeframe when they're doing it. This alone helps so much so we can align our plans for our dog!
5) MOST IMPORTANTLY: Comfort. Your. Dog. Do not believe the myth that comforting your dog will make their fear worse. No one LIKES to be afraid or feel like WW3 is happening outside, so I assure you they have no desire to feel this way again. Tell them how brave they're being and give them some snuggles and pets if they want them.
🌧️ And if all else fails, pray for rain! 😂
🎉 Reactive Dog in Recovery! 🎉
Maggie is a special dog who we met when volunteering at a local rescue. She was a little on the skittish side and had also picked up some boundary reactivity to dogs from her brother. She was adopted by an awesome volunteer, Marilyn, and they couldn't be more perfect for each other. Marilyn asked us to help with Maggie's leash pulling, and her reactions to dogs along the backyard fence line and when on walks in the neighborhood.
You may have been told previously by a trainer "Don't let your dog look at their triggers, make them look at YOU!" Well avoidance only makes our fears WORSE, so we take a different approach.
We taught Marilyn & Maggie the Engage-Disengage protocol, or the "Look At That!" Game, as our clients most often know it. This game is so powerful because it encourages our dogs to notice things in their environment (like we ALL do), but not get too hung up on anything. It helps the handler communicate to their dog which distractions/triggers are "no big deal".
By our second visit, Maggie was no longer barking and lunging at the dogs in the backyard nextdoor. She learned quickly that every time she saw or heard them, she would get a yummy piece of hot dog! We took this game into the neighborhood and the M^2 Team rocked it! You can see some of our early training videos on slides 2 & 3. Maggie has gone on to advance these skills with real dogs and in new environments.
It's important to know that reactivity is never "cured". On some level, we'll always have that knee-jerk reaction to something that triggers us. But, with this type of training we can make some incredible improvement and learn what factors may increase the likelihood of a reactive response from our dog. If you have a dog that barks and lunges at things, we strongly recommend finding a certified force-free training professional who will guide you along the path to recovery!
Happy Father's Day AND Birthday, Mike!
Today we doubly celebrating our resident #dogdad, Mike! Not only is he already a stellar dog dad and soon to be human dad, but today is also his birthday! Mike turned the big 4-0 today.
Mike showers every dog he knows with love as if they're his own, but he's been a truly amazing father to Artemis and Ace over the past decade. He has always made sure these dogs had their needs met. He absolutely loved playing with Artemis and cuddling with her. When she got sick, he basically dropped everything in his life to take care of her. Every day, he makes sure Ace gets enrichment by stuffing Toppls, going on sniffy walks, and dishing out hourly belly rubs. And he has always made sure to save the last of his milk to share with whatever dog is in front of him.
He's generous, playful, and keeps our dogs in a routine. That's how I know he will absolutely thrive at being a dad to our little boy as well. I just have to keep reminding him that the crib is NOT a crate and we won't be using the clicker to train our kid. 😂
✨ TRAINING SUCCESS TIP ✨
We start every training game by giving the dog a FREE treat. This rewards your dog just for showing up to class and gives them a heads up that you'll be their teacher for the next few minutes.
This is an especially helpful trick for multi-trainer families. When switching from working with one person to another, it helps the dog know who they should give their attention to next.
Wouldn't it be nice if your employer greeted you each morning with a nice beverage? What a great way to start your day!
Great training takes time, but it is worth the investment.
Ace and I have been on a long training journey to get to this point. Last night while cooking chicken parmigiana, I looked over and realized he was laying on the kitchen rug without my prompting. It may look like a simple thing, but a lot of work went into this becoming Ace's most reliable behavior.
Ace could easily walk up to the counter beside me, grab himself a chicken appetizer and run out of the room. But why doesn't he? Because he has a learning history that says laying down on this mat will yield some delicious fried chicken. I taught him another option and made it worth his while. As a result, he confidently makes good choices without me needing to micromanage him.
We love this "place" behavior and teach to almost every client. They love it too. But getting this behavior trained to the Olympic level of cooking fried chicken DEFINITELY doesn't happen magically. It takes time and effort, but it is so incredibly worth it.
✨ TRAINING MINDSET TIP ✨
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
I have to credit my husband for introducing me to this saying from his time in the Marine Corps. We say this phrase to every client, especially those with dogs who are learning to overcome fear or anxiety.
If you take too big of a step, you'll end up 5 steps back. Moreover, each setback adds frustration and insecurity to the learning process. In the long run, you spend more time by rushing.
But if you start slow and increase the difficulty in small increments, then you'll find you can make exponential progress later. Example: Don't be afraid to start loose leash walking practice as 1 treat per 1 step. This speed of learning makes behaviors more durable in the face of distraction.
You wouldn't want a contractor rushing through building the foundation on your house. Approach each new training exercise with your dog the same way.
✨ QUESTIONS SKILLED DOG TRAINERS ASK THEMSELVES ✨
One of my favorite moments is when a client starts thinking like a dog trainer. They go from being a passenger on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to a confident racecar driver when it comes to modifying their dog's behavior.
One of the ways to make that shift is to ask yourself questions like this one. When my dog isn't responding to training as well as they were before, I ask myself: How can I make this easier for my dog?
We want them to get the right answer, so don't be afraid to go back a step and give them a hint!
Help Your Reactive Dog With A Decompression Walk. These are highlights from our first decompression walk with client dog Oso. Oso pulls strongly on leash and is dog reactive. So we swapped his stressful, rushed neighborhood walks for a leisurely, solo sniffari at the Waco Dam.
Check out @cognitive_canine, @dogminded, and @fromdusktilldog for more information on how to get started with decompression walks and how beneficial they are for your dog!
#theconfidenthound #canineenrichment #decompressionwalk #letthemsniff #reactivedog #positivereinforcement #positivedogtraining #dogtraining #puppytraining #dogtrainingtips #dogadvice #dogbehavior #dogmom #dogsofinstagram #pupsofinstagram #wacotexas #waco #wacotx #dogsofwaco
✨ TRAINING SUCCESS TIP ✨
Do you want your dog to make faster, smoother progress? Then make training a DAILY habit and keep sessions short!
We only train with dogs for 2-3 minutes at a time. Their brain can get tired if you keep going after that. Plus, this makes it easier to fit training into your busy schedule EVERY DAY.
So instead of making your dog cram for the test the night before your next session, give them a quick pop quiz every day!
✨ EXERCISE TIP ✨
🐕🦺 We love seeing owners taking their dog on a daily neighborhood walk, but not all dogs enjoy that...and that's okay! If you own a reactive dog, we encourage you to think outside of the box when when it comes to physical exercise.
🐶 That's what we're doing for bull terrier client Lula who is highly reactive to anything that moves - we're talking people, dogs, skateboards, cars, all of it! But she definitely needs a physical exercise outlet, so we started backyard agility training today and she loved it!
🥎 Our first dog Artemis preferred to play fetch for her physical outlet, which allowed her walks to be more about mental exercise. Do what works for your dog and what they enjoy. Check out our list of suggestions in the post!
✨RECALL TRAINING TIP✨
🗣️ If you've ever found yourself talking to someone for a whole minute only to realize they're weren't paying attention, you learn to say their name first in the future. (🙋🏻♀️Apologies to my husband for every time he talks to me without me realizing 😬)
🐕Well if you want a dog who reliably comes when called, the same principle applies! Your recall cue (e.g., "Here!") is PRECIOUS. In the beginning phases of training, don't waste it on a dog who isn't even looking in your direction...especially in distracting environments. Make your practice count by choosing your moments carefully.
👀 In this video, Cooper is distracted by the FedEx man as well as snuffling for treats. Saying "Here!" over and over again would just teach Cooper to tune out that important word. Instead, Mike waits for Cooper to disengage from what he's doing, then says his name. Once Mike is sure he's got Cooper's attention, he follows it up with a quick "Here!". Then pays handsomely for this difficult skill with some yummy chicken.
😯 Do this double cue method enough and eventually you may have a dog who can recall to you from out of sight!
🧘🏻♀️Everyone wants their dog to settle down and relax, but have you actually taken a moment to TEACH your dog how? Relaxation is truly a skill, so there's a reason this is one of our most commonly taught behaviors.
🐶 If you want your dog to have this skill, pick a mat or bed to practice with. Reward your dog with a treat for any interaction with the "place" to start. Once they're reliably getting on the mat, cue them to lay down and reward again.
🗣️ Keep practicing until they do the whole process seamlessly, then give it a name! Ella's cue is "Go To Your Place", but our dog Ace knows this game as "Chill Out". You can really get creative with this cue!
About The Confident Hound
Our mission is to build confidence in dogs and their humans so they can make the most of their precious time together.
We have approximately 8 to 15 short years with our dogs. Things like stress, anxiety, fear, frustration and insecurity can take a toll on health and happiness, shortening that time and diminishing your memories together. We want you both to worry less, so you can spend that time enjoying life instead. You both deserve peace of mind, to feel in control, and to have predictability and harmony in your home. We can help make this a reality. We are passionate about helping dogs feel confident in their environment, which in turn helps owners feel confident in their dog and strengthens the human-animal bond. We achieve this through force-free, positive reinforcement-based training methods.
Your Trainers
Lisa Corcoran, VSA-CDT
Lisa is a lifelong lover of dogs, learning new things, and solving puzzles. Her background is in Psychology (B.S., Virginia Tech; M.A., Catholic University of America) and she currently works in the veteran mental health research field. Lisa is a graduate with distinction of the prestigious Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior and has been granted official status as a VSA-Certified Dog Trainer (VSA-CDT). Since 2017, Lisa has volunteered weekly at shelters and rescues to rehabilitate dogs looking for good homes.
These experiences help Lisa understand why both her canine and human clients do what they do. Lisa’s detail-oriented nature helps her to identify the cause of your dog’s behavior problems, and her creativity leads to a solution that works for both you and your dog. If you’re looking for a total dog nerd, Lisa is the trainer for you.
Mike Corcoran, CSB-D
Having grown up with dogs that displayed fearful and aggressive behaviors, Mike made it his mission to specialize in helping dogs like these be more confident and content in their surroundings.
Mike’s educational background is in Computer Science (B.S., Mary Washington College; M.S., George Mason University), which gives him a unique perspective of dog behavior problems as being similar to bugs in computer software. Combined with his experience as a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps, where he learned that true leadership doesn’t rely on using fear or punishment, Mike brings a systems-based approach to dog training.
Mike is a Certified Shelter Dog Behavior Consultant (CSB-D) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and recently completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs course.
