McCann Professional Dog Trainers

09/11/2026

Where you put your puppy’s crate can make crate training a whole lot easier.

During the day, keep the crate in a busy area of your home so your puppy can rest without feeling isolated from the family. At night, try moving it beside your bed. Being close can help a new puppy settle while making it easier for you to recognize when they genuinely need a bathroom break. As your puppy gains confidence, you can gradually move the crate to wherever works best for your family.

Sometimes better puppy crate training starts with something as simple as location.

09/09/2026

Got 5 minutes and a puppy with energy to burn? Grab a tug toy!

Tug is a great way to burn off some puppy energy while building play drive and strengthening your relationship. For now, keep it simple and make the toy exciting. That enthusiasm for tug can become a valuable foundation for future skills like fetch and a reliable “out.”

09/09/2026

Zoom in to see each award you deserve today. 🏆🐾

Dog training is built on small wins. Maybe you stayed more consistent today than you did yesterday, helped your dog follow through, finally got your reward timing right or made it through half of your walk with a loose leash. Those little moments add up to a better-trained dog and a more confident handler.
So go ahead. Take the win. You earned it.👏

Don’t see your award there? Let us know what it is in the comments below and we’ll DM your award to you! 😉

09/08/2026

Puppy nipping and biting may be normal, but that doesn’t mean you should simply wait for your puppy to grow out of it.

Your puppy is learning how to communicate with you, and allowing biting to get them what they want can quickly turn it into a successful strategy. Instead, interrupt the biting as it happens and redirect your puppy to a better choice, whether that’s a simple obedience skill, an appropriate chew, or a toy.

A house line can make this much easier by giving you a way to calmly interrupt the behaviour without turning puppy biting into a game of chase. Clear rules and good timing help your puppy learn better ways to communicate with you.

09/01/2026

Good leadership in dog training starts with clear communication.

Your dog is always learning from you, which is why the way you give cues, follow through, reward good choices, and stay consistent really matters. When your expectations are clear and predictable, your dog doesn’t have to guess what you want because you’re setting them up to succeed.

Which BAD leadership habit do you see most often? Let us know in the comments below.

08/28/2026

Does your puppy back away, get mouthy, or try to dodge you when you reach for their collar?

The Collar Hold game is a simple puppy training exercise that teaches your puppy that having their collar reached for and held is something positive. Practising this skill now can make everyday handling easier and help prepare your puppy for those moments when you need to calmly take hold of their collar.

A few positive repetitions can build confidence with handling and teach your puppy that reaching for their collar is nothing to worry about.

08/27/2026

A Gentle Leader is a gentle yet powerful walking tool, but the fit matters!

When fitted properly, your dog should be comfortable wearing it and you’ll get the control the Gentle Leader is designed to provide. The right fit is what allows the tool to work as intended while keeping yoru dog comfortable.

Watch as Instructor Kayl shows you how to properly fit a Gentle Leader on Maggie (Mags), plus a simple trick for getting your dog’s snout through the nose loop if they tend to dodge it.

Save this one for your next fitting! 🐾

08/25/2026

Tomorrow (Wednesday 26th) is International Dog Day and we will be supporting the SPCA at the Grand Opening of the new Runner's Den location at 466 Brant St in Burlington. Come out to run/ walk/ jog with your dog (a dog is not required to participate), bring a donation, and visit our tent booth. Start time is 6pm

08/25/2026

08/25/2026

One of the most overlooked parts of puppy training happens before you even start training your puppy.

Make sure everyone in your household agrees on the cues you’ll use, what those cues mean, and what you expect your puppy to do. If one person expects a response the first time while someone else repeats your puppy’s name 10 times, you’re teaching two very different rules.

Consistent dog training isn’t just about what you do. When everyone who interacts with your puppy follows the same game plan, your expectations become clearer, and it’s much easier for your puppy to learn what you want.