Q: What is the key to successful dog training?

The key to effective dog training is a strong relationship based on trust, respect, and leadership — not just commands or corrections.

Understanding your dog’s natural instincts, motivations, and psychology allows you to respond in ways they understand. Dogs learn best when they feel safe, understood, and connected to their human.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we teach you how to guide your dog using calm, confident energy and consistent leadership. Training becomes easier — and more lasting — when your dog sees you as a trustworthy leader.

👉 Core elements of successful dog training:

• Build a strong bond rooted in trust and respect

• Understand your dog’s instincts and behavior

• Use calm, consistent energy

• Establish clear, fair leadership at home and on walks

How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash?

Pulling on the leash is a natural behavior for dogs — they’re excited, curious, and eager to explore. However, consistent leash pulling can lead to safety issues and reinforce the idea that your dog is in charge of the walk. Over time, this can contribute to leash reactivity and poor walking habits.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we focus on loose leash walking by teaching leadership skills both at home and during walks. Our training starts in a low-distraction environment and progresses gradually. We’ll guide you through simple, effective exercises you can practice throughout the week to help your dog stay calm and focused on walks. With patience, consistency, and the right routine, you’ll build better walking habits — together.

👉 Key tips to stop leash pulling:

• Start training in a calm, low-distraction area

• Use consistent cues and reinforcement

• Set a daily routine that reinforces structure and leadership

• Avoid rewarding pulling by stopping when your dog tugs

• Work with a professional trainer for personalized guidance

Q: How do I stop my dog from barking excessively?

Occasional barking is normal — it’s how dogs communicate. But if your dog barks frequently for 30 seconds or more, especially without an obvious trigger, it may be considered excessive.

Here are three key things to check:

1. Exercise: Dogs need at least 45 minutes of physical activity per day. Without it, they may bark out of frustration or pent-up energy.

2. Leadership: If your dog believes they’re the "pack leader," they may feel responsible for guarding the home, which leads to more barking.

3. Your reaction: Never yell at your dog. To them, it sounds like you’re joining in — which can escalate the behavior.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we help you take on the leadership role so your dog can relax and let go of the “protector” mindset. With clear boundaries and a consistent routine, you can reduce your dog’s anxiety and stop the barking naturally.

👉 Tips to reduce excessive barking:

• Ensure daily physical and mental stimulation

• Set calm, consistent boundaries

• Avoid reinforcing barking with attention or yelling

• Use structured training to build focus and confidence

Q: Does my dog pick up on my energy or emotions?

Absolutely. Dogs are incredibly perceptive and often mirror your emotional state, energy, and body language. Before you focus on obedience training, it’s important to first become aware of your own energy.

For example:

• If you greet your dog with excitement, they may respond by jumping, nipping, or barking.

• If you feel anxious when approaching other dogs, your dog may sense that tension and become reactive.

• On the other hand, when you model calm confidence, your dog is more likely to feel secure and follow your lead.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we help you understand how your mindset and energy impact your dog’s behavior. True leadership begins with self-awareness and emotional regulation.

👉 Tips for managing your energy around your dog:

• Approach training sessions with calm, focused energy

• Stay relaxed on walks, especially when passing triggers

• Avoid reinforcing excitement or anxiety through your tone or posture

• Lead with confidence — your dog will follow

Q: Why does my dog bark or lunge at other dogs on walks?

This behavior is called leash reactivity, and it’s very common — especially in dogs who walk ahead of their humans. When your dog is out front, they often feel like they’re in charge. That means they take on the role of protector, reacting to other dogs with barking, lunging, or growling.

To reduce reactivity, we focus on leadership and leash structure:

• Your dog should walk calmly by your side, not out front.

• This keeps their brain in “follow mode”, helping them stay relaxed and focused.

• Gradual exposure to triggers (other dogs, people, etc.) under your calm guidance helps desensitize their overreactions.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we create a personalized plan to help your dog walk calmly and confidently. With patience and the right techniques, leash reactivity can be significantly reduced — or even eliminated.

👉 How we help reactive dogs:

• Establish clear leadership and routines

• Train loose-leash walking with focus exercises

• Gradually expose your dog to triggers in a controlled way

• Build your confidence so your dog can follow your calm lead

When and how should I socialize my puppy?

Puppy socialization should begin as soon as your puppy comes home — typically around 8 weeks old. This is a critical developmental period where positive exposure has the biggest impact on your dog’s long-term behavior.

Socialize your puppy by gently exposing them to:

• A variety of people (different ages, sizes, clothing)

• New environments, surfaces, sounds, and smells

• Friendly, well-balanced dogs

❗ But be careful: quality matters more than quantity. Negative experiences can leave lasting effects at this age. Avoid chaotic dog parks or unknown dogs. Instead, arrange calm, controlled playdates with dogs you trust.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we guide you through early socialization that builds your puppy’s confidence, trust, and ability to stay calm in new situations.

👉 Puppy socialization tips:

• Start at 8–10 weeks old

• Keep experiences positive and low-pressure

• Introduce new stimuli gradually

• Avoid overwhelming or unsafe environments

How do I potty train my puppy?

Successful potty training comes down to structure, supervision, and timing.

Start with a consistent routine and use a crate to help your puppy learn when and where to go. Take your puppy out:

• First thing in the morning

• After meals, naps, and play

• Every 1–2 hours during the day

Keep your puppy on a leash during potty breaks and reward immediately when they go in the right place. This builds positive associations. Inside, supervise closely or use baby gates to limit access. If an accident happens, stay calm and clean the area thoroughly with an enzyme cleaner to remove all odor.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we help you build a structure that works for your lifestyle — making potty training faster, less stressful, and more effective.

👉 Potty training musts:

• Use a crate for structure and sleep

• Stick to a predictable schedule

• Reward potty breaks instantly

• Watch closely indoors to prevent accidents

• Use enzyme cleaners to fully eliminate odors

Q: What’s the best age to start training a dog?

The best time to start training is now — no matter your dog’s age.

Puppies can begin simple training as soon as they come home, usually around 8 weeks old. Early training helps build a strong foundation, prevent bad habits, and establish your role as a calm, confident leader.

Adult dogs can absolutely be trained too. It’s never too late to teach obedience, build structure, and improve behavior. Older dogs may need slightly more patience and realistic expectations around energy and focus, but they are just as capable of learning new skills.

At Building Bonds Dog Training, we support dogs of all ages — from potty training and crate training for puppies, to reactivity and leash work for adult dogs. The key is consistency, leadership, and a bond built on trust and respect.

👉 Key points:

• Puppies can start training as early as 8 weeks

• Early routines help prevent behavior issues

• Older dogs benefit from structure and guidance

• It’s never too late to start — every dog can learn