YNP #080: Why I Don’t Teach “Off”

05/08/23 • 6 min

Your New Puppy: Dog Training and Dog Behavior Lessons to Help You Turn Your New Puppy into a Well-Behaved Dog

Most of the time we want to use the cue "off" to tell our dogs to "get down". For example, when they jump on us or our guests or when they jump on the table or counter. I have nothing against teaching this cue, I just approach it in a different way. If we think about it, what we really want to teach our dog not to jump up. So, if we need to use the word "off" that means they're already preforming the behavior we don't want. BUT if we teach our dog a habit of keeping four paws on the ground then the cue "off" becomes irrelevant. So this the behavior I like to focus on. Essentially we want to teach our dogs that all the attention, fun, play, food, etc. only comes when four paws are on the ground so they never even think about jumping up! In this episode I talk about: Why I don't teach off (not that I have anything against it). Why to focus on the behavior not the cue. A different way to look at this type of training. Examples of alternatives to teaching "off". Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #008: When Your Dog Jumps Playtime Paws Academy: A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Previous Episode

YNP #079: Are You Still Struggling With Potty Training?

Potty training is hard. It can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. Even then you can still have a random accident here and there up to a year. It's a process that we can't rush our puppy through. We can set them up for success as much as we can but it usually takes as long as it takes. If you've been It can be very disheartening especially when the kids don't want to play with the puppy anymore. That's why I'm giving you my three favorite games that I teach my clients to help with a nipping puppy. Each one is designed to give you a way to interact and play with your puppy while keeping sharp teach away from sensitive fingers. Each of these games are great for kids and adults. The the games I teach are: Puppy Soccer Freeze Tag Flirt Pole (this one is actually a toy which I have pictured below) In this episode I talk about: Why puppies nip and bite. To prevent nipping it's sometimes about changing the game. My three favorite games to play with a nipping puppy. How to teach your puppy each game. When to involve the kids. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #046: Puppy Biting and Why You Might Still be Struggling Playtime Paws Academy: A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.

Next Episode

YNP #081: My Rules for Your Dog’s Walk

When we thing of what our dog's walk "should" look like we think of them walking by our side without being distracted by anything and only sniffing when we say it's ok. I'm here to let you off the hook. As long as your dog is 6 feet from you, you and your dog are enjoying the walk, and everyone around you is safe, then I don't care what your walk looks like. In this episode I talk about: What my rules for what your dog's walk should look like. What my rules aren't. Why every dog should know "heel". Why I encourage your walk to NOT be perfect. When your dog should have strict rules. Press play and enjoy! Other resources mentioned and related to this episode: YNP #011: Reasons to Leave Your Retractable Leash at Home YNP #050: Three Most Common Leash Walking Questions Playtime Paws Academy: A brand new program for dog and humans no matter where you are in your training journey.