Origins
When I was a kid, we would eat family meals in the kitchen by the front window. Whenever a dog walked in front of our house, I jumped up from the table, ran out the front door, and asked the dog owner if I could pet their dog. I never got my own dog, partly because of family members with allergies and partly (and understandably) because my mom did not want to deal with a dog in addition to four boys!
To compensate for not having my own dog, I walked and trained neighborhood dogs, dog sat, went to dog adoptions, and just generally tried to be around dogs. Technically, my longest job held to date (I'm now 40!) was walking the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier show dog who lived around the corner from 2nd to 12th grade.
Me, my brother, and Hercules.
Fast forward 20 years and I had lived in Russia for two years, gone to college (Go Bears!), served in the military, gone back to college (Go Bears again!), worked in agriculture, and started a family. But still no dog. I remember thinking at one point, “Wouldn’t it be crazy if I never got a dog!?”
And then one day on a farm, I met a Vizsla and was again bit by the dog bug. I got home and went down the rabbit hole researching Vizslas and getting a dog. I called a breeder, put down a deposit, told my wife, told the kids, and two weeks later we drove down to San Diego, to pick up Lupin , a Vizsla puppy. And it has been one of the best decisions of my life!
But why Doggo Sessions? I wrote an article just on that! Check it out here.
John and Lupin: Day 1
Why Your Dog Listens at Home (But Nowhere Else): A Guide to Proofing
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.
Part 2: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)
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.
Part 1: How to Build a Bombproof Dog Recall (Without Being a Professional Trainer)
Why get single-ingredient treats?
Single-ingredient dog treats are healthier, better tasting, and simpler to evaluate. Here's the argument behind all three.
Calming Signals: What Your Dog Is Trying to Tell You
Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas spent decades observing how dogs communicate with each other. She identified over 30 distinct behaviors that dogs use to signal peaceful intentions and de-escalate tense situations. She called them "calming signals."
How to Get Your Dog to Drink More Water (Even If They're Picky)
Your dog isn't stubborn about water — she's a reactive drinker. Dogs evolved to hydrate for survival, not optimization, which means by the time they feel thirsty, they're already behind. This guide covers why dogs hydrate reactively, how to spot dehydration, and practical strategies to get your dog drinking at the moments that actually matter.
The Dog Treat Dilemma
Our First Dog Agility Event: Dogs, Discs, and a Camera
The Magic of Free Shaping
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.
The Power and Importance of Dog Treats
The best thing I trained my dog
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.
