What Are the Most Common Dog Training Mistakes?

Training your dog isn’t just about teaching commands, it’s about building trust, setting boundaries, and creating a calm, respectful relationship between you and your canine companion. At Word of Mouth Dog Training, we’ve spent over nine years helping Denver dog owners navigate that journey through personalized, in-home dog training in Denver. As a certified trainer with experience solving behavioral issues ranging from anxiety to aggression, I’ve seen it all. And I can confidently say that many behavioral problems stem from just a few common training mistakes that well-meaning dog owners make without even realizing it. In this post, I’ll walk you through the most common dog training mistakes I see during my house calls, and how to fix them for a smoother, more successful training experience at home. 1. Inconsistency in Training One of the most frequent (and most harmful) mistakes is inconsistency. Dogs thrive on routine. If you reward a behavior one day and ignore it the next, or if one family member enforces a rule while another lets it slide, it creates confusion and anxiety in your dog. With in-home dog training in Denver, we work in your dog’s natural environment. This gives us the opportunity to observe your daily routines and ensure that all members of your household are aligned. We help set clear, simple rules everyone can follow consistently. Pro Tip: Pick a handful of core behaviors you want to reinforce, and make sure the entire household is on the same page about commands, boundaries, and rewards. 2. Using Punishment Instead of Positive Reinforcement Many people still believe that discipline means punishment. Yelling, leash jerks, or...

How to Stop a Dog from Barking: Proven Training Techniques

Barking is a natural way for dogs to communicate, but excessive barking can be frustrating for owners and disruptive to neighbors. As a dog owner in Denver, finding the right approach to manage your dog’s barking is essential to maintaining peace at home and in your community. At Word of Mouth Dog Training, we specialize in teaching pet owners effective, humane techniques to address unwanted barking. In this guide, we’ll explore why dogs bark, and proven strategies to reduce or eliminate excessive barking. Why Do Dogs Bark? Dogs bark for a variety of reasons, and understanding the root cause is key to addressing the behavior. Here are the most common reasons dogs bark: Alert Barking: Your dog senses something unusual or threatening, like a stranger at the door or a loud noise. Attention-Seeking Barking: Your dog wants your attention, whether for food, play, or affection. Boredom or Loneliness: Dogs left alone for long periods may bark out of frustration or to fill the silence. Fear or Anxiety: Triggers such as thunderstorms, fireworks, or separation from you can lead to excessive barking. Playfulness or Excitement: Dogs may bark during play or when they’re overly excited. Compulsive Barking: In some cases, barking can be a compulsive behavior, often linked to underlying issues like stress or lack of mental stimulation. Identifying the type of barking will help you determine the best training approach to use. The Importance of Training in Managing Barking Many dog owners believe that barking is simply part of owning a dog, but excessive barking is a behavior that can and should be managed. Consistent training not only helps curb...

Welcome to WOM DOG Ranch!

[caption id="attachment_2172" align="alignnone" width="225"] In the beginning...[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2173" align="alignnone" width="225"] Pouring our training courts![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2174" align="alignnone" width="225"] Turf for the dogs![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2175" align="alignnone" width="300"] Drive right on in![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2176" align="alignnone" width="300"] Concrete Setting...[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2177" align="alignnone" width="225"] Training on our property![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2178" align="alignnone" width="240"] Room to run![/caption] [caption id="attachment_2179" align="alignnone" width="240"] Our Training Court[/caption]