The Perfect Pup Devin Stagg from Pupford

This is the final Perfect Pup Episode (at least for the foreseeable future). Thank you SO much for all of your support over the years!



The world is full of conflicting information and methods for obtaining “success and happiness”.



And in terms of dog training and behavior “success”, the conflicts and arguments of how to get there will make your head spin.



The term and ideology to “train the dog in front of you” can be a grounding principle to help you make the best, most informed decisions for how to raise and train your dog!



In today’s episode, we’ll dive into what this phrase means, and how it can improve your outlook on your dog’s behavior to ultimately lead you to the strongest bond and connection with your dog as possible!



The term ‘train the dog in front of you’ can mean different things for different people (that’s kind of the point in and of itself).



In its broadest sense, this term/theory is meant to remind us as pup parents to drown out all the noise, competing opinions, and varying techniques out there and focus on what our specific dog needs at any given moment.



In other words, just because something works for one dog, doesn’t mean it will work for your dog.



Our dogs are unique individuals with varying strengths and weaknesses. Effectively raising a well-mannered pup is less about teaching specific behaviors, and more about adapting principles of learning to meet your dog’s needs.



When we learn about dog training techniques and tactics, it’s important to reframe them through the lens of what your specific dog needs at that moment in their behavioral journey!



No matter how many competing opinions or ideas you’ll hear from people, you ultimately have the make the best decision for your dog and your current situation.



As we strive to not just train, but LOVE the dog in front of us we can better meet their needs and help them live more enriched and healthy lives.



My hope is that you can focus on your dog’s individual needs on a daily basis and find training tactics, games, and methods that will help you unlock your dog’s best version!



If you haven’t already, be sure to sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup. It’s a 100% free online course that can help you better tune into your dog’s needs, make a training plan, and help improve your pup’s behavior and manners. Sign up for free here!



What’s a unique trait or strength your dog has that you’ve incorporated into their training? Tell me in the comments!


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The caliber and talent of dogs competing at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is top-notch.

Most of these dogs (and their humans) practice, compete, and work for months (and indeed, years) to get to this pinnacle of dog competition.

On a warm spring day in Queens, I learned firsthand just how important our relationship with our dogs can be. Especially when times get tough.

Surprisingly, these lessons were taught by the “slowest” timed dog at the agility trials…

And I want to share these lessons with you because we all need some reminders about what really matters with our four-legged friends. 👇

Our group of friends decided to attend the WKC Dog Show, the first dog show of any kind for our entire group.

We entered with zero expectations, except that we would hopefully be able to pet some pups.
As we explored the grounds at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, we were in awe. From start to finish.

Dogs of every size, shape, and breed trotted around the grounds, of which many breeds I’d never personally seen (besides on the internet).

The dock diving was unparalleled. Happy pups leaping to their fullest ability, just to get their favorite toy.

The obedience trials were jaw-dropping. Dog and handler communicating with ease to follow the exact cues and directions at each step.

The breed meet and greet lived far beyond our expectations. Giving belly rubs to the biggest Great Danes & Newfoundlands we’d ever seen, then scratching the chins of the tiniest Papillons & English Toy Spaniels just a few feet away.

It was a dog enthusiast’s dream come true.

Read the full recap and lessons learned on the Pupford blog (will be published on 5/31): https://pupford.com/lessons-slowest-dog-wkc-agility/

And sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup for free here!


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There are many instances where you need to learn how to clean a puppy without bathing!



Maybe they’re scared of water, they have a wound that can’t go underwater, or you just aren’t in a location with a good bath option.



No matter the reason, we’re going to dive into how to clean a dog without a bath. And, these tips will even help you keep your pup smelling clean between baths! These tips are for dogs of all ages.



And at the end of the article, we’ll also let you in on a little-known secret for helping your puppy enjoy grooming!



Let’s dive into it. 👇



Note: Puppies generally shouldn’t be bathed before 8 weeks old due to their inability to regulate body temperature.



When you’re in a pinch and need to clean your dog without a full bath, it can feel daunting…



Kind of like when you realize you need to leave the house but don’t have time for a shower and find yourself spraying body spray or Febreze on yourself, or maybe even rubbing your car’s air freshener on your clothes for a quick smell boost. 😜



No rubbing air fresheners on your puppy, so let’s look at some real solutions.



Generally speaking, you have a few main options for cleaning your puppy without bathing:

1- Dog wipes

2- Bucket/spray/spot cleaning with a rag

3- Dry shampoo



Trying to clean a puppy (or older dog) without bathing can feel complex at times.



Hopefully this article has helped you learn new ways to keep your puppy clean and smelling fresh, even between baths.



As a recap, here are 3 main ways to clean your puppy without bathing them:

1- Dog wipes

2- Bucket/spray/spot cleaning with a rag

3- Dry shampoo



Be sure to snag a bottle of our Dry Shampoo today. It’s made with unique ingredients formulated to remove excess oil and dirt, freshen your dog’s coat, and leave them smelling AMAZING!



Shop Dog Dry Shampoo here!



How else do you clean your dog without a bath? Tell us in the comments below.


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Learning ways to train a dog faster is advantageous for you AND your pup!

As you improve your skills as the teacher, it will in turn improve your dog’s ability to more quickly understand and generalize new behaviors.

In this article, I’m going to break down 5 daily hacks to speed up your dog’s learning process and ultimately help you raise a well-mannered pup. Because who doesn’t want that?!

Here’s a quick overview of the 5 daily hacks for training a dog faster:
1- Use mealtime for training
2- Try mini training sessions, every day
3- Routine-based training behaviors
4- Incorporate training into playtime
5- Use strong reinforcers & avoid mixed signals

Training a dog takes time, patience, and consistency. And while your dog’s training progress might feel slow, it’s probably going better than you think!

And while we didn’t dive deep into specific techniques in this article, I’d recommend signing up for 30 Day Perfect Pup if you’re needing specific training techniques and advice.

This free course has guided videos (and an eBook) covering behaviors like leash walking, biting, potty training, and even recall! Sign up for 30 Day Perfect Pup here!

How have you helped your dog learn faster? Tell me in the comments below.


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The most important way I’ve kept my house clean (with multiple dogs) is by cleaning my dog’s paws after each walk.



While it may sound like a lot of work, it takes just a couple of minutes and can significantly reduce the amount of dirt, germs, and bacteria that enter your home!



Plus, by handling your dog’s paws after each walk you get the chance to check for any issues like thorns, cracking, or other paw concerns.



Here’s what we will cover in this video:

-Why cleaning your dog’s paws is important

-5 ways to clean your dog’s paws

-Extra paw care ideas & tips



Here are 5 ways to clean a dog’s paws:

-MudBuster

-A wet rag with soap

-Dog cleaning wipes

-Teaching your dog to wipe paws

-Using the bath (not a full bath)



My recommendation is to read the article, try out different methods with your dog and see what works best. Remember to raise, train, and love the individual dog in front of you. Every dog is unique!



Our dogs' paws can get seriously gross after walks, hiking, and exploring the world around them.



By washing your dog’s paws you can reduce dirt in your home, protect their paws, and have an overall happier pup (and home).



Here’s a recap of 5 ways to clean your dog’s paws:

-MudBuster

-A wet rag with soap

-Dog cleaning wipes

-Teaching your dog to wipe paws

-Using the bath (not a full bath)



By far, the most effective way is the MudBuster. Be sure to check it out here!



And don’t forget to proactively moisturize and protect your dog’s paws with Butter Up. Shop here!



Do you clean your dog’s paws after walks? How do you do it? Tell us in the comments below.


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Focusing on a dog’s recall training should be at the top of every pup parent’s to-do list!



Not only can it keep your dog safe and give you peace of mind, but it ultimately gives you and your dog greater freedom and adventure in the long run.



Whether training a puppy or an older dog, this article is going to break down everything (seriously) you need to know about recall training. And it’s not gonna be a boring “call your dog back and reward” type article, we’re gonna dive into some pro tips, necessary tools, and even fun recall games to play with your pup!



Here’s what we will cover:

-What is recall?

-Why does recall matter?

-How to teach a dog recall

-7 tips, techniques & games for teaching a strong recall

-Additional FAQs about recall training



Alright… come! Let’s dive into recall. 👇



I want to dive into 7 tips that have helped me secure a solid recall with my dogs. And of course, we will look at some things not to do!



Here are 7 tips, games, and techniques to keep in mind when teaching a dog or puppy recall:

-Use a long lead

-Start inside with no distractions

-Use varying reinforcers

-Don’t ask too much of your dog

-Every recall should be a positive experience

-Play fun recall games

-Find the right “recall word” or cue for your pup



Recall training is one of the most important behaviors you will teach your dog. If you have a puppy, I recommend devoting time to teaching recall every single day.



If you’re looking for a basic introduction to training recall, sign up for the 100% free online class 30 Day Perfect Pup! It covers behaviors like recall, stay, leash walking, and more. Sign up here!



If you're ready to take your dog’s recall to the next level, including transitioning to off-leash behavior then sign up for the Recall Mastery Course. It breaks recall training down into 11 different “levels” and even includes bonus recall games. Get access here!



What was the most effective way you found to teach your dog recall? Tell us in the comments below!


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