Helping you and your dog live better together.

Tug Dogs training will teach you and your dog scientifically proven and sustainable techniques to stop your dog's problem behavior, build their ability to cooperate, and live a more enjoyable life together.

Click Here

Tug Dogs Steps to Training Success

event_note

Schedule a free Behavior Consultation for just $199

verified

Choose the right training program for you and your dog

sound_detection_dog_barking

Develop your dog's positive brain & body habits

volunteer_activism

Live your best life with your dog by scheduling today

Schedule your Dog's Free
Behavior Consultation ($199 value) today!

Great dog training is more than telling your dog what to do

How your dog feels determines how they behave. A fearful dog often acts aggressively to try and protect themselves. An overstimulated dog may engage in impulsive and rude behaviors like jumping, nipping, or uncontrollable barking. An anxious dog can have panic episodes that lead to destructive, debilitating and quality of life reducing episodes. No matter what behavior/s your dog is struggling with (or even if you just want to prevent future problem behaviors,) dealing with the root of your dog's behavior (their thoughts and feelings) is essential to getting real training results.

It's tempting to try and change our dog's problem behaviors by just giving them commands to control their bodies, but the best training solutions come from considering (and changing) what's happening inside your dog's brain. In fact, when your dog is having BIG feelings, there are physiological changes taking place in their bodies (like release of stress hormones and the activation of their sympathetic nervous system) that inhibit their ability to learn and launch them into a sequence of undesirable actions (think fight or flight). Your dog isn't choosing to be bad, their brain and body are simply responding in the best way they know how.

At Tug Dogs we use a combined brain and body approach that relies on a sophisticated understanding of canine psychology and physiology to make lasting changes to your dog's behavior. When we understand why your dog is behaving poorly, we can address the root, emotional issues that are causing them to make undesirable decisions and change those patterns of behavior.

A fearful dog can learn that strangers are safe (and thus there is no need to secrete stress hormones that lead to barking, lunging or growling). An over excited dog can practice how to get into "calm brain" where they can still access the things they want but in a polite way. An anxious dog can rehearse coping skills that help them create new neural pathways in their brain so they can avoid panic. And all dogs can develop a partnership with their people where they know there will be healthy, 2 way communication (they will be heard and they will listen/cooperate).

Using our combined brain and body approach has so many benefits for you and your dog:

  • It yields long lasting results: when we change how a dog feels, we don't have to convince them to behave…they'll be able to make that choice all on their own!
  • It enhances the quality of your dog's life: dog's struggle with their emotions just like we do. Supporting their emotional health is extremely important to giving them a happy dog life.
  • It's less work for you in the long run: you don't want to micromanage your dog and they don't want to be micromanaged. Investing in their emotional health and behavior based training means they won't always need to rely on commands from you.
  • It harnesses your dog's biology rather than fights against it: the best dog training understands how your dog sees and responds to the world and works with their biology rather than trying to suppress, ignore, command it away or punish it.

We're ready to use our extensive understanding of canine behavior to help you and your dog live better together. Let us partner with you to change your dog into a happy well-behaved canine companion.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tug Dogs trainer's courses have made my dream of becoming a dog trainer come true. I have always been passionate about working with animals and was looking for a program that could help me better understand dogs and help them overcome problem behaviors... I highly suggest you get in contact with Tug Dogs. In my opinion, you won't find a better program to teach you everything you need to know.

Michelle Hawk, Owner of Sage Canines ( & Tug Dogs Guest Trainer)Camas, WA
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I just wanted to reach out and say THANK YOU again. Volunteers have been coming in all day today talking about how great your presentation was and how easy the tools you gave are to follow and use. I’ve seen a lot of dog training presentations in my 10yrs of doing this, and you’re one of the best in the biz! You are a great speaker, very knowledgeable and confident (and funny). Well done and we can’t wait to have you back!

Emily Holmes, Program Manager Truckee Humane SocietyTruckee CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tug Dogs has changed my life! Recommitting to my education was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I went looking to add value for our pet sitting clients and structure for our employees. What I came away with is a new philosophy for life. Erin is an experienced and engaging educator. In a fast-paced and chaotic world, she illuminated a path for success based upon years of experience in the field. Starting with consideration for the dog’s perspective, she teaches a zen-inspired way of communicating with dogs in a simple, clear, and loving way...Erin’s energy is infectious and that’s all I needed to encourage me to continue on this path. I’m so thankful to have been referred to Tug Dogs and look forward to taking the next steps of my education here.

James McKellips, Co-Owner Peaceful Pets Pet Sitting ServicesSacramento CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I am a Dog Trainer and have had my own dog business for 9 years. After taking this trainer's course, I feel much more confident dealing with aggression and leash reactivity issues and how to develop an effective management and training plan for clients. I definitely felt that sometimes my approach and confidence before taking Erin’s course was not the best...Since taking Erin’s course, I feel that I am able to communicate more effectively with each client so that they are better able to work with their own dogs. I highly recommend Erin’s Dog Trainer’s course.  I love Erin’s approach and gentleness with each dog she works with.

Rhonda Anderson, Owner of Just Doggin’ it Adventures, Daycare & TrainingMalahat BC Canada
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Taking the TDC Fundamental Trainers Course with Erin not only taught me many new skills I can use while working with my day camp and training clients, but also surprised me with new information on topics I thought I had nothing left to learn about!  Each topic we covered was discussed thoroughly and in-depth, and before the course was even finished I was able to successfully use some of my new knowledge in real-life settings! Using Erin’s training approach in our facility has helped to create a calmer and more positive learning environment for the dogs. I am thrilled to now have the confidence to work with some challenging dogs I would have previously referred elsewhere...Erin presents the information in a way that covers every small detail, while still being engaging.

Tara Dupuis, Owner Come Over Rover Doggy DaycareShawnigan Lake BC Canada
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

First of all, I would like to say Cheantelle (my instructor) is awesome! One of the things I love about the course is how all of the information is broken down in a simple way for everyone to understand. It is also very thorough so many of the questions that I had previously to starting the course have been answered! I have been learning SO much. I'm really looking forward to the next few months learning dog EVERYTHING! Thanks for doing such a great job putting this club together! I'm stoked to be a part of it!

Rachel Mariie, Owner of PawsActive AdventuresDuncan BC Canada

Ready to Bring Out Your Dog's Best?

Get in touch so that we can schedule a Free Behavior Consultation ($199 value) to help bring out the best in your best friend.

Inquire Today close