by Gordon Fontaine | Jan 4, 2022
When I started Zen Dog Training in 2005, I realized that people needed simple and effective answers when it comes to training dogs and solving unwanted behaviors. With that purpose, I developed training plans and guides that could be customized to each dog and owner....
by Gordon Fontaine | Aug 5, 2021
People tend to make several common mistakes when trying to improve how their dog feels about meeting new people, visiting new places, and encountering new things. Even people who work with dog training experts make mistakes that can slow down the training process....
by Gordon Fontaine | Jan 16, 2021
You can teach your dog to stop play biting in as little as 2-3 weeks! All it takes is the right methods, a great training plan, and an understanding of why dogs play bite in the first place. Puppies explore the world with their mouths. They nip, bite, and put...
by Gordon Fontaine | Jan 3, 2021
“You cannot share your life with a dog…and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings” — Jane Goodall. If you are a dog owner you probably agree with Jane. It has been proven that dogs have learned to read our actions and...
by Gordon Fontaine | Oct 29, 2020
Do you have to be the Alpha? Many people have heard that in order to train a dog, you must become their “alpha,” based on the belief that dogs are descended from wolves and need a strong pack leader (alpha). Even popular TV shows like The Dog Whisperer have...
by Gordon Fontaine | Sep 10, 2020
This new puppy guide is designed for people who want to train the Zen Dog way and learn the most important steps puppy owners should take, what lessons to focus on, pitfalls to avoid—and can be read in less than ten minutes! The goal at Zen Dog Training is to offer...
by Gordon Fontaine | May 6, 2020
Zen Dog Training offers virtual puppy and adult dog training with private sessions! Zen Dog Training offers Private Training Sessions. Packages can be all Virtual or include both Virtual and Outdoor sessions*: Virtual Training sessions “In-home sessions” – conducted...
by Gordon Fontaine | Apr 24, 2020
The nature of how dogs learn must be considered when training Dogs learn by trial and error. In the wild or in people’s homes, they are motivated by figuring out what works and what doesn’t work. Contrary to what some people say, they don’t feel guilt the way humans...
by Gordon Fontaine | Jan 31, 2020
If you are a well-read new puppy owner you know the Socialization Period for puppies is between the ages of 3-14 weeks. This is the time in their lives when they are the most open and accepting to new experiences, people, places, and things. During this critical...
by Gordon Fontaine | Nov 13, 2019
The methods you choose for training your dog matter. Dog training in general has boiled down into two camps, with the all-positive-all-the-time (think: treats and clickers) at one extreme and on the other side, alpha-dog methods that encourage “dominance or...
