Every Dog Owner Starts with a Question.

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Hello Nichole, that's a great question! The first thing we start teaching our puppies is where we want them to go potty and how to get there. We do this on a leash — let them drag it to the potty area. When they get to the spot, you can start shaping behavior by marking and rewarding just for going to the spot first. Second, hold the leash, stand there, and be boring. Ignore them so nature can take its course. What you're looking for is the nose to start getting curious. Once they start sniffing around, don't move. They may pull on the leash a bit, but sooner or later they'll go pee. Say "Pee" when they do, then mark with "Yes" and reward. If you know they still need to poop, just wait around after your praise and reward. When they start to go, say "Poop," mark with "Yes," reward, get excited with them, and run back inside to play. However, if they don't go potty, take them back in and say "Well buddy, sorry — you can't be out free, but you have to be on a leash so I can take you back out in 10–15 minutes and try again." If they still don't go that second time, it's rest time in the crate. Then you start the cycle over. I hope that makes sense! If you need help, feel free to message us and we can chat to see if we're a good fit as a trainer. If we're not in your area, I bet you can find one on here near you. Good luck and take care, Nichole! — Garrett Ridley

Great question! Before using the e-collar for recall, your dog needs to already understand what "Come" means. The e-collar is a correction tool — it's not how we teach the command, it's how we enforce it once the dog knows it. Step 1 — Find your dog's sensitivity level. Put the e-collar on, go somewhere with zero distractions, start on the lowest level, and press the stim button. Look for a subtle change in body language — an ear flick, a head tilt, something that says "I felt that." That's your working level. Never skip this step. Step 2 — Teach the On/Off Method. Put your dog on a 15–20 foot long line (attached to a regular collar, not the e-collar). Walk around and let them do their thing. When they're not paying attention to you, say their name, press and hold the continuous stim button, and use the leash to guide them back to you. The moment they commit to coming back, release the button and reward. That's the key — the dog learns that ignoring you turns it on, and coming back to you turns it off. Repeat until you can see the lightbulb go on. When they start turning back to you before you even need the leash, they understand. End the session on that win and take them for a freedom walk. Step 3 — Layer it onto recall. Once your dog understands the on/off concept, you can apply it to the "Come" command. Same idea — if you call "Come" and they blow you off, stim + leash guidance until they commit, then release and reward. A few important notes: start low and only increase for distractions. Make sure the collar has continuous stimulation (not just momentary). And never use the e-collar if your dog hasn't been through the learning phase first — they need to understand the command before you hold them accountable for it. The e-collar isn't punishment. It's communication at a distance. When used right, it gives your dog more freedom, not less. Hope that helps! If you need hands-on guidance, feel free to reach out and we can see if we're a good fit. — Garrett Ridley

Hi Garrett! I love American Bulldogs — I've actually had a few myself. Mine always had a ton of food drive, so here's what worked for me. I'd keep treats in the hand on the side I wanted my dog to walk on. I'd put them on a leash, let them smell the treats in my closed fist, and they'd walk right next to me. When they gave me the behavior I wanted, I'd say "Good," open my hand, and reward. After about a week, my dog knew that walking next to me meant hearing "Good" and getting a reward. After about two weeks of that, I started fading the lure hand away. This is where things can get tricky — but it's not hard once you understand that you're teaching your dog to follow next to your side to earn rewards. I'd love to help you more. Give that a try, and if it's working and you want to take it further, give me a call. You can find us on the directory here.