Most owners know how important hydration is, especially during hot weather, after exercise, or long periods outside. But something a lot of people don’t realize is that drinking water too quickly can actually create health risks for dogs. At Cooper Creek Kennels, we’ve seen dogs gulp down entire bowls of water in seconds after playtime, training, or outdoor activity. While occasional fast drinking may not seem like a big deal, repeatedly chugging water too quickly can sometim

Most dog owners have experienced it at some point. You’ve had a long day, you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, or anxious, and suddenly your dog starts acting differently. Maybe they won’t leave your side. Maybe they seem restless, clingy, or more reactive than usual. That’s not your imagination. At Cooper Creek Kennels, we see all the time how connected dogs are to the people around them. Dogs pay close attention to our body language, tone of voice, routines, and even our energy.

Leash reactivity is one of the most common behavior problems dog owners deal with. What starts as barking or pulling on walks can quickly turn into stressful outings that leave both the dog and owner frustrated. At Cooper Creek Kennels, we work with many dogs that struggle with leash reactivity. The important thing to understand is that reactive behavior is usually not random aggression or a dog trying to be dominant. In most cases, it comes from frustration, overstimulation,

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is one of life’s greatest joys. But if you’ve ever had a teething puppy, you know it can also be a bit of a challenge. Those tiny teeth coming in can cause discomfort, chewing chaos, and a lot of questions. Don’t worry - I’ve been there, and I’m here to share some advice to help you manage puppy teething with ease. Understanding Puppy Teething and What to Expect Puppy teething usually starts around 3 weeks of age and can last until they ar

We often hear owners say, "I could never put my baby in a cage," or "My dog doesn't need a kennel because we're always together." We understand the sentiment; really, we do. You love your dog and want them to feel free. But what if we told you that crate training isn't about restriction? It's about safety, security, and preparation for the unexpected. Why Crate Training Matters Imagine a sudden emergency—a natural disaster requiring evacuation or an unexpected hospitalization

Bringing home a new puppy is one of life's greatest joys — and one of its messiest. Here's everything you need to know to get potty training right from day one, straight from the certified trainers at Cooper Creek Kennels.

Training your dog is an essential part of responsible pet ownership. Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog with behavioral challenges, enrolling investing in quality training can make a significant difference in you and your dog's life. But with so many options available, how do you find the best dog training options that suit your needs and your dog's personality? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision. Understanding

Anxiety and fear in dogs is a common challenge that many pet owners face. It can manifest in various ways, such as excessive barking, destructive behavior, reactivity or withdrawal. Helping an anxious dog requires patience, understanding, and the right training approach.

Secret to lasting training results

When a dog is always expecting lots of attention and affection, without having to do anything for it, they tend to show signs of severe anxiety. Some examples- cannot be separated from their human without crying, barking, pottying, tearing up doors, crates, pacing, panting, not eating, getting into their humans personal space to demand attention. If we continue to give our dogs lots of unearned affection/attention, they will feel entitled to ask for more and more, and become.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking Excessively If your dog barks excessively, it can be disturbing not only to you but also your neighbors. While this is not an easy habit to break, it can be done. The longer you allow the barking, the harder it is to break the habit. Below are some tips to help: 1. Try to find out why your dog is barking and address it Your dog gets something out of barking, a reward or even your attention when he barks otherwise your dog wouldn’t do it. Try

Puppies investigate the world through their mouths, for us it can be very painful and annoying to have sharp puppy teeth grab your hands/arms/legs every two seconds but biting is a normal behavior in puppies. For them, if something is within reach, it will probably be picked up and chewed, if it moves fast, it will definitely get bitten. What they are doing is simply trying to elicit play. Play is by far the best way to bond with your pup and is a great way to reward him dur

There are different methods for showing your dog what “Sit” and “Down” mean. Use whichever works best for your dog. Train for a maximum of 15 minutes at a time. Items needed: High value treats (meat, cheese, jerky) Training collar and Leash How to teach “Sit” Step 1- Luring- done for puppies or if your dog has never been taught

Teaching your dog to go to their “place” is helpful when your dog needs to learn an off button, they jump on guests, they get overly excited when seeing you, they are velcroed to your side constantly, they tear things up in the house or they have separation anxiety. Teaching place can be very helpful to teach dogs to calm down in the house. Remember to slowly add distractions and duration to place. 6 months and up is best for teaching place, they should know down and stay bef

You must reprimand your dog every time they pull. If they are allowed to pull on some occasions, it will only confuse them. Every time you start your walk, say NAME, HEEL. Heel means be at my side, keep your dog on your left side. Do not keep any tension on your leash, it should have slack at the bottom. Corrections work with slacked leashes. Items needed: Training collar, regular collar, leash, and plenty of breakable or small treats. 1. Turns: This is a great exercise to t

Teaching Recalls When starting, keep your dog on a leash. Start with a regular 6ft leash in a calm area. Have your dog in a sit-stay at the end of the leash or if they cannot do this, wait for them to get distracted and go to the end of the leash. Next, call your dog (NAME, COME) excitedly and take a few steps backwards quickly. Instantly reel your dog to the front of you and praise. This is going to teach your dog to come right to your feet and quickly. Do not give your dog