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by Bailey Coldwell Stay, wait, and the “go to bed/place” dog training cues are similar to one another, but do have some main differences. We trainers often receive requests to help handlers better understand these cues. Therefore, I figured I would go ahead and explain these cues in depth in a blog post. Keep in mind, handlers can have their own set of rules and expectations with cues, as long as there is consistency.  First, I will chat about the cue, “stay”. When I am askin

by Heidi Atwood There is often nothing as exciting to a puppy as the sound of a doorbell or someone knocking on the door. The anticipation of the next event can be overwhelming for a puppy who is learning about exciting distractions. This can be even more overstimulating as the door opens and new people walk in. Everybody loves a cute puppy, and human nature kicks in, causing high-pitched voices and the “need” to tousle a puppy’s furry head.  If a puppy has the freedom to run

by Bailey Coldwell I often hear about adolescent dogs who are only given access to very specific areas of the home. Handlers prevent their dogs from ever going into the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. Dogs chew the table leg one time, try to steal socks, or take food from the toddler, so the dog is never around these items again. Which might seem fine, in theory, but then life happens. Doors get left open, playpens don’t latch, socks get left out, and dogs ultimately have

by Courtney Goblirsch One of the most common things I see with young puppies, especially once they are fully vaccinated and starting neighborhood walks, is the excitement around meeting every dog they pass. And I completely understand why. It feels friendly. It feels social. It feels like we are helping them learn how to be good with other dogs. But this is often where leash reactivity quietly begins. When puppies are young, they are forming expectations very quickly. If ever

by Bailey Coldwell Some dogs are more nervous, shy, or uncomfortable in certain situations than other dogs. They might see someone or something and start to bark or cower away. They might see a random item and assume it is going to bring them pain. Maybe the handler knows that the dog had a hard upbringing, and now they have anticipated negative feelings in certain situations. The good news with all of this? Handlers can work on helping dogs feel more confident. Follow along

by Bailey Coldwell Resource guarding is a delicate topic that has resulted in different dog training approaches over time. We now know that we should not put our hands in the dog’s food or constantly take items away from the dog, as this can cause a negative association with us being nearby. This was an approach certain trainers used to take, to try to show that they are dominant or alpha over the dog, but we now know that we do not need to take this hierarchy approach in dog

By Barbara Cannon   As trainers here at BAXTER and Bella, we know how hard our clients work to get their puppies into a regular sleep routine in their crate. Most are surprised and disheartened when their puppy suddenly wakes up at all hours again: 5 am, 3 am, or even repeatedly during the night, with the accompanying barking that keeps everyone awake. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it? In general, this change in sleep patterns starts around 6 months of age w

by Heidi Atwood There is a well-known “window of opportunity” for socializing puppies. The timeframe for this is usually from around 3-4 weeks old, through the age of about 4 months old. This happens to coincide with us bringing our puppies home at around 8 weeks, and their first Fear Phase (8-12 weeks) as well. Add in the fact that the puppies are probably not fully vaccinated during this time, which further complicates the issue of improving social skills. That’s ok, althou

by Heidi Atwood The title of this blog post could be misleading! You may have already figured out that energy levels rise when a puppy is more active. You may also have friends or relatives who advise you to run your dog around the yard for 30 minutes before bedtime, to help them sleep. You might even try this, and find that your dog comes bolting back into your house, jumping and lunging and in a state of overstimulation that makes it almost impossible to settle down and go

by Bailey Coldwell When getting a new puppy, I have my puppy rotate between being in a crate, attached to a leash with me, in a small room with me, or in an exercise pen (also known as a playpen or a zen den). We often get asked about why we use pens, what pen to use, the introduction of the pen, what to put in the pen, how long to use the pen, and more. Keep reading to learn more about how I use a playpen with a new puppy.  Why do we recommend pens? I find that exercise pens

by Bailey Coldwell Bringing a new puppy home sure can be overwhelming! I wanted to make a quick and simple blog post about housetraining starter tips when first bringing the puppy home.  Be educated on what your specific breeder was using for housetraining. For example, if the breeder was using pee pads, you can put pee pads on top of the new potty surface to help your puppy make the connection. Then remove the old potty training surface once your puppy is getting the hang of

by pawTree Home Office When it comes to pet dental health, misinformation is everywhere—and believing common myths about dental care for dogs and cats can put your pet’s well-being at risk. Let’s set the record straight with expert-backed insights so you can make the best choices for your furry companions. Myth #1: Bad Breath in Pets Is Normal. The Truth: Bad breath is an early warning sign of dental issues. Many pet parents assume that bad breath is just part of the package

by Heidi Atwood Accidents happen! However, house training and the prevention of accidents are our top concerns when we bring a new puppy home. The transition to a new home, new people, and a new potty spot can cause a lot of confusion regarding house training. Many breeders keep the puppies in a large pen with a potty area that the puppies learn to use anytime they need to go. As a former breeder, I know that there is not enough time in the day to individually potty train a l

by Bailey Coldwell I have written before about greeting your new puppy and then what to do with your puppy when you first get home. Let’s also dive into the car ride home with your brand-new puppy.  Items to pack for the puppy: Carrier travel crate.  Snuggle puppy/blanket to rub on the mother/litter mates. Kibble that the breeder has been feeding. One higher-value treat has the same protein as my dog’s kibble. For example, if the puppy has been eating a chicken-based kibble,

by Bailey Coldwell There is nothing quite like the love of a dog. However, this unconditional love can often be displayed in less than ideal ways, including jumping for attention. Puppies jump because they want to be closer to us. When they jump, they get closer to our hands and faces. What might seem cute as an 8-week-old fluffy, tiny puppy quickly becomes an annoyance. Let’s chat about trying to prevent the habit from starting and how to break the habit if it has already be

by Bailey Coldwell I have recently been doing my own research on what type of dog I want to bring into my home next. Now is a good opportunity to share some information about choosing a dog breed. A previously posted blog post discusses what to consider when deciding to get a dog. Such as determining whether to adopt or buy from a breeder, and the questions to ask yourself based on your home and lifestyle. You can find that post here: https://www.baxterandbella.com/post/i-ve-

By Barbara Cannon   It’s that time of year again, the season of special meals, treats, gifts, and decorations! And while we welcome this season of joy and gratitude, we also need to be mindful that our pets may love it too! At this time of year, we need to pay special attention to what we bring into the house and how to enjoy it without creating a pet disaster, especially for those brand-new puppies! Let’s talk first about holiday decorations. Many people ask us what to do wi

by Bailey Coldwell Being online dog trainers has given us rewarding opportunities to watch thousands of dog handlers thrive in working with their dogs (including you!). Nonetheless, we dog trainers often receive comments such as: “I wish you lived next door!” “Do any BAXTER & Bella trainers live nearby to help?” “I would love for you to be my dog sitter!” Introducing Common Paw We heard you, and now we can help! Trainer Courtney, through her business “Common Paw,” is now offe

by Heidi Atwood Most of our blog posts consist of subjects aimed at helping improve the training and focus of young puppies, but I would like to share my experiences with the other side of dog companionship; the grief we feel when we lose them.  You will never have another dog exactly like this one. Your dog loves you more than you can fathom. You can’t imagine getting another dog because it’s not going to be the same.  These statements are true. The dogs we bond with in our

by Courtney Goblirsch Not everyone has a big backyard or a wide-open floor plan for puppy training, and that’s perfectly okay. Whether you live in a city apartment, a condo, or a cozy home, your puppy can still learn everything they need to grow into a calm, confident, and well-behaved dog. Training success isn’t about how much space you have; it’s about structure, creativity, and consistency. Here are a few ways to make the most of your space while helping your puppy thrive.

by Heidi Atwood Your brand new puppy comes running (blasting?!) into your house, and you’re not worried about your older dog loving the puppy because your dog has plenty  of experience with other dogs. Maybe your existing dog even has a young friend, and they play well together. But this puppy is here to stay and will become a long-term part of your dog’s life.  The excitement and energy of a young puppy is quite often too much for an older dog to handle, and they can quickly

by Amy Jensen Bringing home a new puppy is full of excitement — the wiggly tail, the bright eyes, and that adorable face that melts your heart. But along with all that cuteness comes plenty of enthusiasm that can easily turn into jumping, barking, or even nipping when your puppy wants attention. That’s where “Sit to Say Please”  comes in — a simple but powerful way to teach your puppy that polite behavior gets them what they want. What Is “Sit to Say Please”? “Sit to Say Plea

by Bailey Coldwell When puppies are learning how to interact with other dogs, they are likely to experiment with unwanted behaviors. They...

by Bailey Coldwell The day has finally come! You are bringing home your brand-new puppy. I am sure you are feeling a mixture of...