Force-Free Dog Training In Waco, Texas and McLennan County!
About The Confident Hound
Our mission is to build confidence in dogs and their guardians so you can both worry less and enjoy life more.
We have approximately 8 to 15 short years with our dogs. Stress, anxiety, fear, frustration, and insecurity can take a toll on health and happiness, shortening that time and diminishing your memories together. You and your dog deserve peace of mind, to feel in control, and to have predictability and harmony in your home. We want you both to worry less, so you can simply enjoy your precious time together. Confidence happens when you know what to expect, how you can achieve your goal, and believe your efforts will be rewarded. We love helping dogs and guardians grow their confidence and strengthen their bond. We achieve this through positive reinforcement training methods that are free of force, fear, pain, intimidation, and coercion. We choose this method because it is ethical, effective, efficient, and works for every dog.
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.
Follow Us On Social Media!
🤓 Let's define some dog training jargon you may have heard: Using Management!
➡️ Swipe through to learn exactly what "Management" means and some examples of how we use it in the training process.
👇 Are there other words or phrases used in the dog training community that you would like explained? Let me know in the comments and your request may appear in the next Training Jargon Defined post!
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainingtips #dogtraining101 #positivedogtraining #wacotx #wacotexas #dogsofwaco
The biggest training pitfall I see is trying to train your dog in real life situations before they have adequately learned and/or practiced a skill.
Remember that training is...well, TRAINING! It's the prep work. It's studying for the test. It's going to practice every day before the big game. It's teaching your dog what words actually mean instead of expecting them to read your mind. It's practicing a skill instead of assuming your dog will know what to do.
Olympic athletes don’t wait until they are at the Olympics to train. And we don’t teach people what to do in case of a fire when the building is already burning!
So think of a training session like a fire drill: Practice the skills you want when the stakes are low and distractions are minimal.
EXAMPLES:
🔹Work on polite guest greetings every day in the weeks leading up to a party.
🔹Practice body handling and veterinary procedures for at least a month prior to your dog's next check-up.
🔹Master loose leash walking skills inside your home and in the backyard before taking it to the neighborhood streets.
👇 Do you have a dog training goal but you're not sure where to start? Let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to help your figure out what your Level 1 should be.
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtraining101 #wacotx #dogsofwaco
❤ Favorite Long-lasting, Digestible Chews ❤
🐾 These are my top 3 recommendations for dog chews. I'm not talking about a plush or plastic toy you give your dog and they're bored with it after a week. I'm talking about something digestible that will captivate them for 15+ minutes EVERY time! For only 3 seconds of your time, you can efficiently meet your dog's need to chew and dissect something safely. We give our dog Ace a chew every day to help him transition into settling down for the evening!
🛒Check out the link in bio for our Amazon list to grab some easy enrichment chews for your dog.
😍 Have you ever tried a chew like these for your dog? Let me know in the comments! 👇
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingtips #canineenrichment #dogenrichment #giveyourdogajob #dogsmomaf #wacotexas #dogsofwaco
✨ TRAINING TIP! ✨
If you're working on leash pulling with your dog, try doing a training session in the last minute of the walk.
As the walk progresses, your dogs pace will likely slow down and they will have gotten many opportunity to sniff. Training on a full emotional cup is optimal!
Plus, I often find getting started is the hardest part of sticking to daily training with my dog. Since you're already outside and suited up for a walk, take advantage!
I'm curious: How many minutes into the walk does it usually take your dog to slow down to a pace that is good for you? 👇 Let me know in the comments!
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingtips #walkyourdog #dogmomsofinstagram #wacotx #dogsofwaco
🤔 When you already feel out of control in your relationship with your dog, it can seem backwards to give them more freedom and autonomy.
🐶 But when you think about it, we already control so much about their lives: when and where they go to the bathroom, when and how they exercise, when and what they eat, and where they get to go when we let them leave the house.
🥰 Moreover, giving your dog choices reduces stress, which helps prevent behavior concerns. Here are 5 simple ways you can give your dog choices in their day without having to compromise your own boundaries.
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingadvice #dogmomsofinstagram #positivedogtraining #wacotexas #dogsofwaco
Let's define some dog training jargon you may have heard: High-Value Treats.
➡️ Swipe through to learn exactly what that means, some examples, and when to use them.
👇 Are there other words or phrases used in the dog training community that you would like explained? Let me know in the comments and your request may appear in the next Training Jargon Defined post!
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingtips #dogtraining101 #dogsmoms #wacotx #dogsofwaco
Puppy training should prioritize socialization
When working with puppy clients under 4 months of age, I do 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.
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. I still make room for troubleshooting puppy problems and learning cues in my training plan, but the emphasis is on socialization first.
If you only have 5 minutes to spare for training at the end of your day, I recommend spending it on proactive socialization rather than teaching your puppy to heel on a leash.
If you have a new puppy under 6 months of age or will be getting a puppy soon, my Puppy Primer guide was meant for YOU! It'll get you off on the right foot so you can make the most of this important time in your puppy's life. Click the link in my bio to check it out!
#theconfidenthound #puppysocialization #dogtrainingadvice #puppyproblems #positivedogtraining #wacotexas #dogsofwaco
❤ Favorite Food Puzzle Toys ❤
🧩 These are my top 5 recommendations for dog puzzle toys. Puzzle toys are a great way to stimulate your dog's brain during a time of day when they already get food. We recommend to every dog parent that they incorporate puzzle toys into their dog's daily mealtime. It's as easy as filling a bowl, but so much more fun for your dog!
😍 Does your dog love any of these puzzle toys? Let me know in the comments! 👇
#theconfidenthound #dogtrainingtips #canineenrichment #dogenrichment #giveyourdogajob #dogsmoms #wacotexas #dogsofwaco
Thank you for voting me the #5 force-free trainer in Texas! Click the link in my bio to see all of the top Texas trainers.
✨ TRAINING TIP! ✨
The underlying cause of unwanted behaviors is usually an unmet need. Enrichment is a great training tool because it prevents the behavior by meeting the need. You can take this a step further by strategically providing enrichment during a time when the unwanted behaviors occur.
Swipe for some suggestions of strategically timed enrichment!
What are some times or situations each day where your dog does a behavior you'd like to change?
👇 Let me know in the comments!
#theconfidenthound #canineenrichment #dogproblems #dogtrainingtips #positivedogtraining #dogsofwaco
✨ Puppy Raising Tips ✨
Raising a puppy is difficult and exhausting, so here are some tips in honor of National Puppy Day! If you know a new or soon-to-be puppy parent, please consider sharing this post with them! And if YOU are a new or soon-to-be puppy parent, well we have a big announcement...
🎉 Our Puppy Primer: A Guide To Raising Your New Puppy is here!!!
📘 This 20-page eBook contains all the knowledge I wish I had as a new puppy parent. Think, “What To Expect When You’re Expecting," but for dogs! I will help you prepare for puppy’s arrival and navigate those first few months which can be chaotic, sleepless, and messy. My goal is to start you off on the right foot so you have less work down the road.
🔗 Check the link in bio to get yours!
#nationalpuppyday #puppytrainingtips #newpuppy #dogmomlife #puppysocialization #dogsofwaco #wacotx #pupsofinstagram
✨ Potty Training Tip: Use A Bell ✨
Did you know we have a FREE Potty Training Protocol available for download? Click the link in our bio to get yours now!
#theconfidenthound #puppytraining #dogtrainingtips #pottytraining #pupsofinstagram #dogsofwaco
✨ Our 3-Step Training Approach ✨
1️⃣ We believe that your dog can't DO better until they FEEL better. So our first step is always to ensure your dog's needs are met. Do they feel safe? Are they relaxed? Are they getting appropriate physical exercise and mental enrichment? Have we given them a chance to just BE a dog today? Until these needs are taken care of, your dog won't be in a learning frame of mind.
2️⃣ We believe in working smarter, not harder. Well, a pinch of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Plus, the more your dog rehearses an unwanted behavior, the better they get at it. Changing up the environment or routine is a critical next step. Otherwise, your training efforts will be like swimming upstream.
3️⃣ Now we can do the best part! Let's teach your dog a NEW behavior that you both love. If you don't replace the old habit with a new one, it WILL resurface under the right conditions. But the more you reward a new behavior, the more your dog will repeat it. Soon the new behavior will become your dog's default habit for that situation!
🐶 Swipe through to see an example of how we apply our 3-step approach to one of the most common complaints: Jumping on guests!
Fun fact: You can use this approach to change your own habits, too!
👇Comment below with an old habit that has been hard to break.
✋Mine is eating chocolate when I'm stressed🍫😬
🐾 Meet The Hound That Started It All 🐾
Up until a couple years ago, neither of us planned to become professional dog trainers. But in 2014, we took home Artemis – the dog who would set us down the path to opening The Confident Hound.
Like most young couples who adopt their first puppy, we envisioned a fun life of playing fetch, cuddling on the couch, and going for nightly strolls in the neighborhood. We knew there would be potty accidents and sleepless nights at the start, but we were not prepared for the challenges of living with a dog with fear and anxiety. Along the way, we made mistakes, believed myths, and had to sift through a lot of bad training information.
With time and perseverance, we obtained the knowledge and skills needed to help Artemis. She was finally becoming a confident dog who could actually enjoy life. Just as everything seemed to come together, it was all taken away by a cancer diagnosis at only 5 years old. Losing her so soon was devastating and we felt like we had failed her in our ignorance. We just wished we could have known the right things to do from the start. So, we decided to become that knowledgeable resource for dog guardians. We didn’t want anyone else to ever feel this way.
Most dog people have had that one special dog in their life – their “heart dog” or “soul dog”. If you’ve been so fortunate, then you know exactly what we mean. Artemis was our soul dog. She was our steadfast companion in life and was even Mike’s “best dog” at our wedding. Artemis made us better trainers, more knowledgeable parents, more patient teachers to our clients, and more empathetic humans.
🔗 To read more about Artemis’ journey and the amazing things she taught us, click the link in our bio. 🔗
🤝 Meet Our Team! The Confident Hound is a small business run completely by husband & wife team, Mike & Lisa.
👩🏻 Lisa is a full-time trainer who works with all of our clients. She is certified by the Victoria Stillwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior and also has a background in Psychology.
👨🏻 Mike is also a trainer who consults on cases, but primarily works behind the scenes now. He works as a cybersecurity engineer, so he takes good care of our website. Mike is a Certified Shelter Dog Behavior Consultant (CSB-D) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs course.
🐶 The team is not complete without our dog, Ace. Ace is a 9+ year old German Shepherd who we adopted from Fuzzy Friends Rescue in 2019. He is a sweet old man who needs time to bring new humans into his circle, but then he loves them intensely.
👋 Hello and Welcome! We've never formally introduced ourselves, so this week you'll be getting to know us better.
Our mission is to build confidence in dogs and their guardians so you can both worry less and enjoy life more.
We have approximately 8 to 15 short years with our dogs. Stress, anxiety, fear, frustration, and insecurity can take a toll on health and happiness, shortening that time and diminishing your memories together. You and your dog deserve peace of mind, to feel in control, and to have predictability and harmony in your home. We want you both to worry less, so you can simply enjoy your precious time together.
Confidence happens when you know what to expect, how to achieve your goal, and believe your efforts will be rewarded. We love helping dogs and guardians grow their confidence and strengthen their bond. We achieve this through positive reinforcement training methods that are free of force, fear, pain, intimidation, and coercion. We choose this method because it is ethical, effective, efficient, and works for every dog.
✨ Favorite Grocery Store Finds For Your Dog ✨
✅ Please vote for me to be Texas' top dog trainer! 🐾
🎉 As of this morning, Sniffspot informed me that the votes so far have gotten me to the #6 rank in Texas!!! Can you please vote for me so I can reach that top spot?
⏰ Each person can vote once, but you must do so by Fri 3/4!
1️⃣ Click the link in my bio
2️⃣ Select "Lisa Corcoran" from the drop down menu
Thank you! ♥️
🐾 Come to the Woofway Dog Park Grand Opening Tomorrow! 🐾
Sat 02/12, 10 AM - 12 PM
Whitehall Park
I'll be there providing tips and resources on how to make your dog's time at the park fun and safe!
Other awesome partners will be there too:
@chaneybroscoffeetruck
@audreyspawstries
@campbowwowwacotx
@wacopetsalive
@woodwaypsd
Can't wait to meet you and your pups!
🐾 Introducing Our Newest Dog Trainer 🐾
The Confident Hound has been on hiatus for 6 months onboarding a new employee 😂 Please welcome our baby boy Dean! He is 5 months and just the sweetest little guy. Dean already loves doggies, especially his fantastic big brother Ace, and is hard at work on his clicker training mechanics.
We are so excited to be back and in full swing again. Lisa is now a full-time trainer and Mike will be working more behind the scenes. We have some big things coming soon and can't wait to share what we've learned about managing a baby alongside a dog.
We have officially started training with clients again. If you are interested in working with us, you can inquire through our website! There is currently a wait to begin but we can put you on our list or recommend a trusted colleague. Stay tuned!