Understanding Resource Guarding Without Fear or Labels Resource guarding often feels like it comes out of nowhere. A puppy who was easygoing last week stiffens over a bowl. An adult dog growls for the first time over a bone. Owners panic, assuming something went wrong. In reality, this behavior usually
From Graduation to Real Life at Home Consistency in dog training is what protects progress when a board-and-train dog goes home. Clear expectations, follow-through, and shared routines help dogs understand life after graduation. Without consistency, even strong training can fade. This transition matters most.T Consistency in dog training is what
Meet Snickers – A Ducktown Dog Training Graduate Training rescue dogs works best when we slow things down and lead with calm. Not because dogs need less guidance, but because they need safety before they can learn. Slow does not mean permissive. Calm does not mean weak. When structure is
Dog training with distractions is where most well-meaning training programs fall apart. Not because dogs are stubborn. Not because they “know better and choose not to listen.” But because they were never taught how to think when pressure shows up. The 3 D’s form the foundation of dog training, but
Helping a nervous dog build confidence doesn’t start with commands or corrections. It starts with creating a space where the dog feels safe enough to exhale. Meet Henley – She is the sweetest dog. She isn’t reactive or loud. She didn’t come in “misbehaving.”She came in carefully, watching, thinking, trying
Early Puppy Training Matters More Than You Think Series 3 Puppy training starts long before formal obedience classes or a board and train program. From the moment a puppy comes home, they are learning what behavior is allowed, what gets corrected, and what earns attention. Early puppy training helps prevent
Puppy Series – Part Two At Ducktown Dog Training, we specialize in early puppy development and work with many families raising puppies alongside young children. As longtime AKC Labrador breeders, we’ve seen firsthand how the right foundation can shape not just a dog’s behavior, but the entire household dynamic. Bringing
How to stop puppy biting is one of the most common questions we get—often from overwhelmed new puppy owners calling us after a rough day of nipping, sore hands, and second-guessing themselves. Those early weeks can feel intense, painful, and confusing, even when you’re doing everything right. At Ducktown Lodge,
Confidence dog training is often the missing piece when a dog struggles with new people and places. If your dog freezes, barks, pulls away, or seems overwhelmed in unfamiliar situations, it is easy to assume they are reactive or poorly behaved. In reality, many dogs are simply unsure how to
Dog training with distractions should never mean overwhelming a dog and hoping they learn to cope. At Ducktown Lodge, we have trained many dogs through structured programs, and what we want most for them is a successful transition back into real life. That means a slow, intentional integration into real-world
