Dog Training Tips, Insights & Real Sessions
At Primal Canine, our blog is built around real training experience. We break down behavior issues, training concepts, and common mistakes so you can better understand your dog and improve your results.
Along with training insights, we also share behind-the-scenes content, real sessions, and our vlogs—including series like Battle Pigs—to give you a look into how we train, work, and live with our dogs day to day.
Whether you're starting with a puppy, building obedience, or just want to follow along with our training, this is where it all comes together.
More Than Just Training Tips
This isn’t just a blog—it’s a look into how we train and what we do every day.
Here you’ll find:
Training breakdowns and how-to guides
Real client sessions and case studies
Vlogs like Battle Pigs
Behind-the-scenes content from our training days
Building Confidence in a Fearful Rottweiler Puppy: Mikey's Luring and Engagement Training
Mikey, our young Rottweiler board-and-train puppy, is finally starting to come out of his shell! In this training session at Primal Canine, we're using food luring, movement, and engagement to help him build confidence and become more comfortable with his surroundings. Follow along as we work on developing Mikey's independence, foundational obedience, and confidence, one session at a time.
Building a Strong Foundation: Vader's Focused Heel Training | FREE DOGS Foster & Train
Vader is back for another training session! This confident, spicy little rescue puppy is continuing to develop his foundational obedience as we create value in the heel position and shape his future focused heel. Through our FREE DOGS Foster & Train program at Primal Canine in Gilroy, California, we're preparing Vader for whatever direction his future family chooses. Vader is available for adoption and comes with training support!
Walking and Talking w/Felix Ep. 1: How to Get Into the Dog Training Industry (Part 1)
Ever wondered how to get into the professional dog training industry? In the first episode of our new YouTube series, Walking and Talking w/Felix, we're taking a casual walk while discussing what it takes to get started as a dog trainer. Join us as we share industry experiences, talk dogs, and introduce a new weekly series from Primal Canine in Gilroy, California.
Positive E-Collar Conditioning: Using the E-Collar as a Gas Pedal | Max's Training Session
In this training session with Max, we're positively conditioning the e-collar using a ball, teaching him to understand stimulation as a gas pedal rather than a correction. We also demonstrate how we establish a clean, conflict-free out command through clear communication and motivation. Follow along as we continue building Max's foundation for advanced obedience and protection work at Primal Canine in Gilroy, California.
Teaching a Puppy to Heel Through Luring & Shaping | Vader's Training Journey
Learn how to teach a puppy to heel using food luring, shaping, and foundational obedience techniques. Follow Vader, a 4-month-old rescue puppy, as he develops heel positioning, body awareness, and engagement with professional dog trainers at Primal Canine in Gilroy, California. Vader is available for adoption with training included!
Building Food Drive, Focused Heeling & Better Movement Through Luring | Max's Training Progress
Learn how food luring helps build stronger dog obedience, focused heeling, body awareness, and food motivation. Follow Max's progress as professional dog trainers at Primal Canine in Gilroy, California, develop his movement, precision, and engagement through foundational obedience exercises.
Teaching a Rescue Puppy the Place Command | Vader's Foster & Train Journey
Learn how to teach a puppy the place command using shaping techniques with professional dog trainers at Primal Canine in Gilroy, California. Follow Vader, our 4-month-old rescue puppy, as he develops foundational obedience, confidence, and impulse control. Discover effective puppy training techniques for building reliable behaviors. Serving San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and the Bay Area, Primal Canine specializes in puppy obedience training, behavior modification, and advanced dog training. Vader is available for adoption with professional training and follow-up support included!
Teaching Vader How to Learn: Building His Puppy Training Foundation With the Clicker
Vader’s puppy training begins with one of the most important foundations: clear communication. See how we’re loading the clicker and teaching this 4-month-old rescue puppy how our marker and reward system works.
Meet Vader: From the Euthanasia List to a New Chance at Primal Canine
Meet Vader, formerly Apollo — a 4-month-old puppy who went from the euthanasia list to training with Primal Canine. Follow his rescue, first training sessions, and search for the right forever home.
Building a Powerful Focused Heel | Executive Protection Dog Training
Max is an executive protection dog building the foundation for a powerful focused heel. In this session, we’re adding movement to his static position work, using luring, repetition, and consistent rewards to develop the engagement, cadence, positioning, and energy we want as his training progresses.
Using a Drone as a Real-World Dog Training Distraction With Peaches
Our new drone gave Peaches an unexpected training challenge. Since her major board and train goals are already checked off, we used the distraction to test her obedience, engagement, and ability to recover around something completely new.
Building Cleaner Sit, Stand, and Down Positions With Max
Max already understands sit, stand, and down, but now we’re refining the mechanics. The goal is cleaner transitions, stationary front feet, and a more polished obedience picture.
What Happens After Board and Train? Delilah’s Next Phase Is Building Confidence
Delilah’s board and train may be ending, but her most important work continues at home. With stronger obedience and communication, her family can now focus on exposure, confidence, and helping her experience more of everyday life.
Cleaning Up Peaches’ Static Obedience Without the Lure
Peaches is starting to perform more of her obedience without a lure. In this session, we clean up her heel entry, front position, and down command while building more independent responses.
Building Max’s Obedience With Food Luring and a Reward Hierarchy
In this session with Max, we use food luring to build his heel position, entries, spins, and other movements while creating a reward hierarchy we can later expand with toys.
Bandit was lower energy than usual after seeing his family at group class, so we adjusted the training plan instead of forcing the session. Here’s why adapting while staying consistent matters.
Helping a Nervous Dog Build Confidence Through Repetition and Recovery
For Delilah, obedience is only part of the challenge. In this session, we work on her down from heel while using repetition and an unexpected truck noise to build confidence and improve recovery.
Building Max’s Focused Heel and Front Position From the Ground Up
Max had been in the United States for less than two days when we introduced his static focused heel and front position. In this session, we’re creating value in both positions and building the foundation for more advanced obedience.
Cleaning Up Peaches’ Down From Heel: Building Precision and Duration
Peaches knows her down, but now we’re focusing on the details. In this session, we’re building a straighter down from heel and teaching her to hold the position until she is released.
Meet Max: Our New Executive Protection Raise & Train From Holland
Meet Max, our newest Executive Protection Raise & Train. This 10-month-old dog just arrived from Holland and will spend the next six months with Primal Canine developing obedience, confidence, control, and protection skills.