​So maybe your dog is a little skiddish, unsocialized, or generally shows symptoms of anxiety or uneasiness in certain situations. Or maybe he doesn’t show any of these, but you just want to give a little boost to your furry best friend. But how do you build confidence in your dog? Here are seven ideas to get you started!

       Your dog clearly loves you and your snuggles after work, your routine of giving her treats when you leave for the day, or playing with his favorite toy in the yard. You two are obviously BFFs, but you seem to find yourself frustrated at that same pooch when he wont come back to you at the dog park, jumps on your friends when they get to the house, or barks incessantly every time the wind blows or you see another dog. If these scenarios sound familiar, maybe your relationship could use a little TLC. 

The dog training industry is very polarized. You have pure positive trainers teaching dogs using food, minimal consequences, and some will not even use the word “no.” On the other hand, you have balanced trainers using positive methods, but also providing consequences so that dogs can learn both sides of the coin, what we want from them (rewarded) and what behaviors are not acceptable (punished). Both prong collars and e collars are subject to debate from these two opposite ends of the industry.