The Off-Duty Hack

The Off-Duty Hack is designed to create a predictable pattern for dogs who become over-excited, anxious, or reactive when guests come to the home.

For many dogs, visitors are a highly charged event. Their reactions can range from ecstatic—bursting with joy at the prospect of a new friend—to deeply conflicted or fearful about “intruders.” Some may feel ambiguous or threatened by the presence of strangers, while others are prepared to defend their territory and their people.

Rethinking the Front Door Struggle

Traditionally, we’ve tried to handle this challenge the hard way—right at the front door. We cue, command, or distract the dog while simultaneously attempting to welcome a guest, often with nervous laughter or reassurance that “he’s friendly.” The result? Everyone feels tense. The guest is uncomfortable, and the dog senses that we’re not fully in control of the situation.

The Off-Duty Hack takes a different approach. Instead of trying to control the dog, we control the environment. We create a system that communicates calm leadership and shows our dogs that we’ve got this covered.

Setting Up the Off-Duty Station

Before guests arrive, decide where your dog’s Off-Duty space will be. This should be:

• A secure and comfortable area (such as behind a baby gate or on a tether).

• Equipped with a cozy bed or mat.

• Positioned so your dog can see you greeting guests but can’t rush the door.

Prepare 2–5 highly valuable chews or activities—special items your dog only receives when visitors are present. These high-value rewards will help your dog form a positive association with guests entering the home. READ MORE!

Scratch Board in Action

Willow’s nail trim routine is the same each time. We always use the lounger in the living room and focus on the scratch board before moving on to trim up the dew claws and the back nails. If she’s feeling restless, we just move it to another time. Our nail trims take less than 10-minutes every other week.

If you missed the blog on teaching your dog to use the scratch board you can read it here. 

The Bull Dog Group: The Entertainer
_{American Bulldog - American Staffordshire Terrier - Boxer - Bullmastiff - Bull Terrier - Dogo Argentino - English Bulldog - French Bulldog - Pit Bull Terrier - mixes of any of the above}

Living with a Bull dog: Strength, Spirit, and a Whole Lot of Personality

The bull dog type of dog traces its roots to the broad-mouthed mastiffs and old British guardian dogs. These powerful dogs were once prized as gladiators in the bloodsports of their time. In those days, bears and other wild animals were “baited” in arenas and forced to fight them. By the sixteenth century, bears became harder to find—so bulls, being easier to obtain, became the new opponents.

As the sport evolved, breeders began developing a smaller version of their guardian ancestors, dogs originally used for herding, protecting livestock, and catching loose cattle. They carefully bred for traits like “gameness” and quickness, focusing on energy, agility, and a strong grab-bite response.

Over the years, bull dogs have taken on many valuable roles—from defending against feral dogs to offering personal protection and loyal companionship. Today, they remain one of the most popular dog groups in the world, loved for their steady temperaments and adaptability to family life.

You’ll quickly fall in love with your bull dog. They’re affectionate, outgoing, and endlessly entertaining. Naturally engaging and tolerant, bulldogs are known for keeping their owners laughing with their antics and cheerful approach to life.

That said, bull dogs can also be a handful. It’s all or nothing with them. Their strength and intensity mean they can go from calm to full throttle in an instant—sometimes catching you off guard or even knocking you down. Personal space isn’t really in their vocabulary, and their constant attempts to climb into your lap can wear thin!

We often hear from bull dog owners who struggle with destructive behavior when their dog is left alone, poor leash manners due to strength and excitement, and overly enthusiastic greetings like mouthing or jumping. Some also face challenges with protectiveness toward family members or conflicts with other animals—where a bulldog’s powerful jaws can cause serious harm.

If you’re finding life with your bull dog a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Reach out and let us help you bring balance, structure, and calm back into your home.

Daylight Savings Time Means Less Dog Training Time

As the days grow shorter and darkness settles in earlier, it can be tough to fit in your dog’s training, exercise, and enrichment. Don’t let the lack of daylight derail your progress—our Unleashed and Enriched program keeps your dog active, learning, and fulfilled even when your schedule (and the sun) runs out of time. Let us help your dog stay happy, balanced, and on track all season long.

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