Helping a dog who is afraid of the car
Why some dogs fear car rides and how to help: step by step desensitization, travel sickness tips, safe restraint and when to talk to your vet.
Training and care guides
Pawfessor Editorial Team
The team behind the Pawfessor app writes practical, reward based training guides for everyday dog owners. Lessons follow the method of Alin Moldovan's training school, and health pages point to veterinary sources and to your own vet.
Read how we write and review our guides. Corrections: pawfessor.app@gmail.com.
33 articles
Helping a dog who is afraid of strangers
Why some dogs fear strangers and how to help: reading fear signals, giving space, the 'treat and retreat' game, visitors at home and when to get help.
How to stop your dog barking at the door
Why dogs bark at the doorbell and knocks, and how to teach calm reactions with desensitization, a mat to go to and practice with real visitors.
Why your dog barks at night, and what helps
Common reasons dogs bark at night, including potty needs, noises, boredom and anxiety, and practical steps to help your dog sleep quietly.
When your dog mouths or bites hands
Why adult dogs mouth or nip hands during play, petting or handling, how to teach a gentle mouth and when biting needs a vet and behaviorist.
Why your dog chews furniture, and how to stop it
Why adult dogs chew furniture, including boredom, anxiety and teething, and how to stop it with management, chew toys, exercise and training.
How to stop your dog jumping on people
Why dogs jump on people and how to teach calm greetings with sit and four paws on the floor, including visitors at the door and greetings on walks.
Dog not coming when called? Here's how to fix it
Why dogs ignore recall and a step by step plan to fix it: a fresh cue, long line practice, rewards that beat distractions and the mistakes that poison recall.
How to stop your dog pulling on the leash
Why dogs pull on the leash and how to teach loose-leash walking with rewards: the right gear, practice at home, stop and go, direction changes and setbacks.
When to call the vet
Emergency signs in dogs that need a vet straight away, symptoms to call about the same day, and what to have ready when you call.
How to bond with your dog
Practical ways to build a strong bond with your dog: play, training, understanding body language, calm routines and respecting their choices.
12 indoor games to tire out your dog
Easy indoor games for dogs that build focus and burn energy: nose work, puzzle games, training games and calm games for rainy days and busy evenings.
How much and how often to feed a puppy
How many meals a puppy needs by age, how to check the amount is right with body condition, switching food safely and using meals for training.
Training treats that work
How to choose training treats for dogs: size, value, building a treat ladder, healthy options, how many is too many and using meals for training.
Puppy proofing your home
A room by room checklist to puppy proof your home: kitchen, living room, bathroom, garage and yard, plus the household items that are toxic to dogs.
Clicker training for dogs
What clicker training is, how to charge a clicker, how to use it to teach new behaviors and common mistakes. Works with a phone clicker too.
Dog obedience training, in the right order
The essential dog obedience commands and the best order to teach them: marker word, name, sit, down, come, leave it, stay, place, drop it and heel.
How to train your dog at home
A practical guide to training your dog at home: what you need, where to practice, a day by day first week plan and how to keep going.
Dog training basics every beginner should know
The core principles of dog training for beginners: markers, timing, rewards, criteria, generalization, the three Ds and why consistency beats intensity.
A daily dog training routine that fits real life
How often and how long to train your dog, a sample daily training routine and a weekly schedule for beginners, puppies and busy owners.
How long does it take to train a dog?
Realistic timelines for teaching sit, recall, potty training, loose-leash walking and fixing habits, plus what speeds training up and slows it down.
How to train an adult or rescue dog
Training an adult or rescue dog: settling in, building trust, where to start, changing old habits and when to get professional help.
Positive reinforcement dog training, explained
What positive reinforcement dog training is, how it works, what research says compared with punishment based methods, and common myths.
When your dog can't come along
How to choose between a pet sitter, boarding kennel or family when you travel without your dog, and how to prepare them for a calm stay.
Road trips with your dog
How to prepare for a road trip with your dog: car safety, a packing checklist, breaks, heat safety and keeping a nervous traveler calm.
Crate training a puppy, step by step
How to crate train a puppy or dog: choosing a crate, the step by step routine, night time, how long is too long, and what to do about crying.
How to potty train a puppy
A step by step potty training schedule for puppies: when to take them out, how to reward, night breaks and what to do after an accident.
How to stop puppy biting
Why puppies bite, what to do in the moment, and a week by week plan to teach a soft mouth with rewards. Plus what to avoid and when to get help.
Puppy chewing, explained
Why puppies chew, how teething works, which chews are safe and how to stop a puppy chewing shoes, furniture and cables.
Teaching a puppy to come when called
How to start recall training with a puppy: games that build a fast, happy recall, the mistakes that ruin it and how to keep it through adolescence.
How much should a puppy sleep?
How many hours puppies sleep, why overtired puppies get bitey, how to set up naps and how to get through the first nights.
Puppy socialization, the right way
What puppy socialization really means, why the first three months matter, a practical checklist and how to socialize safely before vaccinations are complete.
Leash training a puppy
How to leash train a puppy: getting used to the collar or harness, first walks indoors, loose leash basics and how long puppy walks should be.