My dream has always been to create a world where dogs are understood and valued for their incredible gifts, leading to a drastic reduction in their suffering and an increase in happy families. - Angie

Digital Companion

Welcome! This digital content enhances the foundations built in "Don’t Train Your Dog". It highlights key points and provides more visual understanding, complementing your written pet parent guide. Follow along here for a series of videos, downloadable content, and additional tips to help you apply the principles from each chapter in a practical way.

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Enjoy!

Key Points

  • Humans and dogs have a special relationship.
  • Dogs are emotionally intertwined with us.
  • Dogs are unique—they "ask" us for help.
  • Dog intelligence includes second-order intentionality.
  • Dogs and toddlers share emotional similarities.
  • Dogs are not human children and don't need to be — but they are not simply domesticated animals.
  • Parents are investing significant money and effort toward their dog's happiness, yet behaviors are worsening due to overwhelming information.
  • Dogs learn quickly when approached in a way they understand.
  • "Tricks for Treats" cannot teach dogs essential family safety rules.
  • Parenting is about providing love, protection, and guidance to vulnerable family members.
  • Dogs and children require very different parenting approaches.
  • Dogs remain like perpetual two-year-olds in modern family life.
  • Strict obedience and "all positive" approaches fail to create happy, well-behaved dogs.

Key Points

  • Dogs are the canaries in our modern family coal mines.
  • Only happy dogs can be well-behaved dogs.
  • Dogs have the innate rights to respectful treatment, inclusion, and safety.
  • In the first two minutes of meeting a dog, they’ll “have your number.”
  • Always approach your dog calmly and respectfully.
  • Avoid reaching over a dog’s head, and hugs can make them feel trapped.
  • Dogs feel safe with firm but supportive parenting.
  • Teach dogs family skills so they can be included—removing them makes behaviors worse.
  • Happy dogs play with toys; broken dogs do not.
  • Not all dogs automatically play with toys, but engaging with them can help spark interest.
  • Ensure dogs focus their drives on toys, not kids or other dogs.
  • There are two types of fulfillment: mental stimulation and physical exercise.
  • Some herding dogs may not be the best fit for the average family.

Key Points

  • Dogs view parents in one of three ways: to be feared, dismissed, or trusted and respected. Only trusted and respected parents can guide dogs into happiness, good behavior, and overcome fears and aggression.
  • Firm guidance earns a dog's respect, while supportive guidance earns trust. Dogs need clear, black-and-white guidance, as they can’t understand “gray.”
  • For dogs, things are always allowed or never allowed—punishment doesn’t teach them what "no" means, and after-the-fact punishment only creates fear and aggression.
  • Guidance offers a clear yes and no without creating fear. P4Ds guidance balances a firm “no” with an encouraging “yes” and uses praise and treats to enhance good feelings, not as behavior substitutions.
  • Dogs need clear, timely guidance—actions can only be replaced by other actions. The What’s Not Allowed Recipe focuses on offering a substitution (But, Yes This) while staying engaged with play.
  • Recognize guidance moments by reading dog body language. Use one of six No, Not This options, paired with eye contact, for effective guidance.
  • “Catch” good behaviors and reward them to reinforce positive emotions.
  • Match guidance to your dog’s sensitivity—always keeping their name associated with positivity.
  • Maintain neutral expressions, tone, and body language when giving No, Not This guidance. Sometimes use excitement to encourage good behavior, but avoid it when your dog is afraid, aggressive, or out of control.
  • Dogs thrive on routines—consistency in time, order, and actions helps them feel secure.
  • Never give No guidance for behaviors that occurred while you were gone, and avoid timeouts or coin shaking as correction methods.
  • Around 9 months, dogs challenge rules—remain consistent, and this phase will pass.

Key Points

  • Parents tend to have either no rules or too many inconsistently enforced rules.
  • The 5 Big Stuff Rules: No aggression, no teeth on humans, chew only toys, need permission to go outside, no “stealing” food.
  • Your dog is your wake-up call to adjust your parenting and guidance strategies as needed.
  • Don’t let an "alpha" dog or a toddler do the parent’s job—this creates confusion.
  • Companion leashing while eating can help maintain peace, especially at first.
  • In a multi-dog household, each dog should have its own space and food bowl (water bowls and toys can be shared). Ensure no harassment between dogs.

Key Points

  • Family-life skills are essential for a dog's safety and fulfillment, forming the foundation of a happy home.
  • The six critical family-life skills are: Drop It, Come, Bring It, Wait and Stay Back, Walking on a Leash, and Riding in Cars.
  • Training sessions should be kept short, ending with praise and celebration.
  • Practice the skills in controlled environments at first, then expand to larger areas as your dog shows progress.
  • Skills like "Drop It" help manage safety and prevent resource guarding over toys or food, fostering trust between you and your dog.

“You’ll want your dog to know these six family-life skills like you know the passcode on your phone”​

Key Points

  • Successfully parenting kids and dogs together goes beyond the “idea” of respectful treatment.
  • Choosing the “right” dog doesn’t prevent fear or aggression toward kids—this is a myth.
  • It’s the parent’s job, not the child or dog’s, to ensure safety and prevent injuries.
  • Both kids and dogs need guidance to understand what is or isn’t allowed. 
  • How parents provide guidance differs for kids and dogs, aligning their unique needs.
  • A confident parent, trusted and respected by both kids and dogs, is essential for protecting all family members.

Key Points

  • The Comforting Crate Recipe helps parents guide their dogs to choose to enter and spend time in their crate.
  • Crates are essential for safety, potty training, and curing separation anxiety, much like how babies need cribs.
  • Even if your dog sleeps with you, working with the crate is necessary for long-term success.
  • A crate provides dogs with a safe, “off-duty” space where no other dogs or people can disturb them.
  • Set up the crate and a controlled safe area before introducing the dog for the first time.
  • The crate should be just big enough for the dog to lay down and stand,  do not include a potty pad.
  • Use the Companion Leashing Technique to help the dog acclimate to the crate.
  • Always use tiny, high-value treats specifically for crate training.
  • Never shove or trick a dog into the crate by closing the door unexpectedly, as it breaks trust and causes anxiety.

Key Points

  • The Perfect Potty Recipe is designed to provide clear, respectful guidance that teaches dogs to potty outside without fear or anxiety.
  • This recipe relies on two opposing techniques: super excited praise for pottying outside and slight disagreement for accidents inside.
  • The five key elements of the recipe are: using the crate, managing food and water intake, supervised indoor play, timed potty sessions, and the Companion Leash Technique.
  • Consistency in timing and routine is crucial for success—control the timing of meals, water, and potty breaks to set your dog up for success.
  • Most puppies can be potty trained in two weeks, but those from pet stores or caged environments may take longer. Be patient and kind, as it's not the dog’s fault.
  • Avoid overcomplicating things; focus on one day at a time during potty training to prevent feeling overwhelmed.
  • Teaching the phrase "go potty" can help ensure your dog empties their bladder before crate time, offering peace of mind.
  • Be mindful that even if a puppy is potty trained in one room, they may not yet be trained throughout the whole house. Expand the training area gradually.
  • Mistakes are normal—don’t punish accidents, just adjust the routine and move forward. The goal is trust and respect, not perfection.

Key Points

  • Fears can develop in any dog, regardless of breed, age, or past experiences.
  • Not all fears are the same, and they cannot be cured equally. The appropriate response depends on the severity of the fear.
  • There are three levels of Fear Prescriptions (Rx): Unsure, Afraid, and Terrified, each requiring different approaches.
  • Your dog relies entirely on you to help them overcome fears through the proper Fear Rx.
  • If left unchecked, fears will only worsen and multiply over time. Every fear must be addressed and extinguished to prevent further anxiety.
  • The goal of the Fear Rx is to replace fear with confidence and eliminate it, rather than just manage it.
  • Early intervention and consistency are crucial in addressing your dog’s fears, as each fear Rx must be tailored to their specific emotional state.

Key Points

  • 95% of all dog aggression stems from fear, not true aggression.
  • Fear-based aggression develops from a lack of firm but supportive parenting, leaving dogs to feel they must protect themselves.
  • Understanding the difference between true aggression and fear-based aggression is key—fear-based aggression is more common and can be fixed with the right approach.
  • Firm, clear guidance from parents helps dogs feel safe, reducing their need to react aggressively in fearful situations.

“Stay calm and emotionally neutral. Be the Thornbush”

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