Real-Life Solutions Library
Real-life dog problems? Let’s fix them.
Welcome to the Real-Life Solutions Library—fast, practical tips that work. These short videos tackle everyday challenges from puppy training to reactivity.
This is where I share the quick stuff—the setups, tools, and tweaks I’ve seen make a big difference for dogs and their people. Just practical tips for everyday training challenges and real help for life with dogs.
🏠 The Usual Suspects
These are the behaviours that drive people to Google at midnight—jumping, barking, pulling, stealing, and just generally making life harder than it needs to be.
The good news? These issues are common for a reason—and they’re also highly fixable with the right strategies.
This section gives you realistic, reward-based solutions to the problems you probably didn’t plan for—but now deal with daily.
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Barking at the door, on leash, for attention, or just… nonstop.
Barking isn’t bad behaviour, it’s something worth paying attention to.
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From “hi!!” greetings to trampoline-level bounces.From “hi!!” greetings to trampoline-level bounces.
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👉 Head to the Leash Walking Library for step-by-step help, real-life demos, and practical tips to turn tug-of-war into teamwork.
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Pre-walk chaos, zoomies, and too much energy with nowhere to go.
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Why “giving in” isn’t spoiling—it’s about needs, reinforcement, and real-life behaviour.
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When your dog knows it… until they don’t.
Do emotions really run down the leash? Find out here.
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The art of snack theft and how to outsmart it.
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Real communication, not bad behaviour— prevent situations from escalating.
🎯 Core Skills
Essential behaviours every dog should learn—because they make everything else easier.
These are your go-to training tools: things like Touch, Check-In, Name Response, Mat Work, and Engagement Games. They’re simple to teach, practical to use, and form the foundation for real-life behaviour change.
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Skills to get and keep your dog’s attention—especially in distracting environments.
👉 Touch – A go-to focus game using hand targeting.
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Skills that get your dog moving with you, not just around you.
Middle – A Safe, Grounding Position 🎥 Watch It Here
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TThe basics that build trust, reduce conflict, and support your dog in understanding what’s being asked—starting with simple, powerful habits like check-ins.
🎓 The Classics
Sit, stay, come, leave it… you know the ones. These are the behaviours everyone wants their dog to have down pat.
Whether you're starting fresh or brushing up, this section covers the skills that make life smoother, walks calmer, and communication clearer.
Think of it as your dog's highlight reel in the making.
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Helping your dog pause before diving into something tempting—whether it’s food, garbage, or a dead fish on the trail.
👉 Check out the full Leave It Series for step-by-step games and real-life practice.
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Coming when called—reliably, even with squirrels involved.
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Patience and calm when and where you need it.
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Learning to let go, no yelling required.
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Stationing for mealtimes, guests, or downtime.
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Voluntary attention without constant nagging.
🎮 Training Games That Work
These fun, skill-based games help your dog use what they’ve learned—and actually enjoy it.
Whether you’re reinforcing Touch, building focus around distractions, or practising recall through play, these games blend enrichment with real-life results.
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Once your dog knows how to target your hand with their nose, you can start to level it up—and this game is a great way to do it!
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Teach your dog to pop their nose into a cone—fun, fast, and fantastic for focus, confidence, and coordination.
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A fun confidence building game that builds on nose targeting.
🎲 Pattern Games
Pattern games give your dog a simple, predictable routine that builds focus and calm—even in tough moments.
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Start by introducing your puppy or dog to the idea that food comes from other paces, not just your hands 🙌🏻
🔹 Quick Tips & Training Insights
Fast, practical tips that work.
Short videos and real-life strategies you can use right away—from interrupting problem behaviours to setting your dog up for success in everyday situations.
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Scatter feeding is a fast, effective way to help your dog reset, shift gears, or settle down—and teaching a simple “Search!” cue makes them even more useful in real life.
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Not all rewards are created equal. Learn why some reinforcers keep your dog’s focus — and why competing distractions can steal it — plus how to choose the right one for the moment.
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Tips to boost your recall and keep your dog’s attention and build connection in real life.
Recall Tips, Check ins & Attention
Why Short, Frequent Training Works Best
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Ella & the Sink — Confidence & Curiosity Building
Support your dog’s investigation of new things to build resilience, confidence, and trust in real-life situations.
🐾 Keep Exploring
Looking for more training tips, games, or resources?
Head back to the homepage to see what else is waiting for you.
