Raise your dog with intention

Learn how to elevate you and your dog's life together through dog training, nutrition, behavior, psychology, and lifestyle.

A dog watching a fireworks show calmly at the Hollywood Bowl

How to get your dog to love fireworks

John
Tagged: Train & Build
Most dogs that stay calm at fireworks were trained to be, not born that way. Here's exactly how I did it with Lupin, backed by the research, plus the one mistake to avoid.
Read more
Vizsla dog lying on pool chair looking at camera

Why Your Dog Listens at Home (But Nowhere Else): A Guide to Proofing

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build

Your dog is perfect in the kitchen and falls apart at the park. The solution: proofing. Here's what it actually is and how to build real reliability.

Read more
Part 2: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)

Part 2: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build

Reliable recall isn't about a smarter cue. It's about rep volume, consistency, and treats already in your pocket. The four-stage protocol that built Lupin's bombproof recall.

Read more
Part 1: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)

Part 1: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build
So your dog has great recall…inside your house. How about outside? When another dog is around? When they're sniffing a stain on the ground? Let alone when a demonic squirrel...
Read more
The Magic of Free Shaping

The Magic of Free Shaping

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build

Free shaping is a reward-based dog training method where you reinforce good behavior without giving commands or using lures. It builds confidence, focus, and stronger bonds. It can be intentional (like teaching a trick) or spontaneous (rewarding calm behavior at home).

To work, rewards must be instant—ideally within one second. That’s where Doggo Discs in Treat Tubes shine: compact, stashable, and always ready, making spontaneous training easy and effective.

Read more
The best thing I trained my dog

The best thing I trained my dog

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build

Training your doggo on whistle recall is super easy to do and has a high impact—it will cut through all the distractions in that moment when you need them to come running straight to you.

Read more
How to pop open a Doggo Treat Tube

How to pop open a Doggo Treat Tube

John Tolton
Tagged: Train & Build
For some it's second nature, for others opening a Doggo Treat Tube is like a puzzle. Everyone knows, though, that popping them open and shut becomes addicting. There are so...
Read more