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Our Methuen Massachusetts based Naked Dog Training Blog

Our Methuen Massachusetts based dog training blog is intended first and foremost to educate. As Naked Dog Training is a functional-results oriented dog training center that focuses on teaching impeccable manners, complete off-leash obedience, addressing dog aggression and reactivity as well as meeting the unique needs of shelter and rescue dogs, so will our dog training blog.

In time, posts should include articles to help educate owners prior to seeking professional training, support for owners whose dogs are presently enrolled in our dog training programs as well as long-term support for "graduates". Although we are a for-profit business, we try to also provide information for owners who are committed to "going it alone". This latter approach is difficult given the complexity of behavior and training.

We will occasionally branch off into Best in Class products, and local services of interest to dog owners. The blog will also share what's new at NDT, as well as profiles of interesting dogs. We welcome suggestions from dog owners as to what articles would be of interest.

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Natural Law & Having Your Dog Trained

Natural Law & Having Your Dog Trained

Natural Law & Having Your Dog Trained

What should you expect from Board & Train or Day School? The results depend on who does the training, their approach to training AND your handling. Just as “get rich quick” schemes are easy to dismiss, effortless solutions in dog training should be too — they’re simply not credible. Now, don’t get me wrong — we do produce extraordinary results. Sometimes it even looks like we’ve worked a little dog-training magic. But trust us, there’s no magic involved. It’s just our unique

John Whittaker

Oct 281 min read

A dog about to bite out of aggression

A dog about to bite out of aggression

Understanding Reactive Dogs: The Key to Transforming Aggressive Behavior

Google defines reactivity as different from aggression—with the key difference being intent to cause harm. According to that definition, aggression involves intent, while reactivity is more of an emotional reaction without it. A better, and more accurate understanding, is important. A more knowledgeable, and accurate, understanding can lead to better choices in addressing it.

John Whittaker

Oct 233 min read

A rescued dog in their forever home

A rescued dog in their forever home

The Essential Guide to Rescue Dogs: The First 3 Months

Most shelter and rescue dogs need guidance to become balanced, well-mannered members of the family. Their genetics, upbringing, and general lack of early socialization often contribute to insecurity. Insecurity, left unaddressed, frequently leads to aggression.

John Whittaker

Oct 94 min read

Dogs in need of obedience training

Dogs in need of obedience training

Reactive Dog Training and Obedience

Aggression is difficult to control, creates risk to whoever it’s directed towards and almost always is stressful for owners. But aggression doesn’t exist in isolation. It’s part of a larger system of thinking, behaviors, and automatic reactions that all influence one another. To change aggression, you have to address the whole system — not just the surface symptom.

John Whittaker

Oct 12 min read

Two dogs relating to each other without manners or "doggy etiquette"

Two dogs relating to each other without manners or "doggy etiquette"

Does Your Dog Need Etiquette with other Dogs?

Doggy etiquette, or manners, is not just an issue with how dogs interact with humans. How a dog interacts with other dogs greatly influences how other dogs respond. Does your dog enjoy other dogs but seems to annoy them?

John Whittaker

Mar 82 min read

A dog owner loving on their French Bulldog

A dog owner loving on their French Bulldog

Responsible Dog Ownership

Showering your dog with love is wonderful. No need to stop. What so often happens is we are lenient, out of love. While leniency may feel like love, it’s usually the opposite. When you choose leniency, it feels good but causes chaos and dysfunction.

John Whittaker

Feb 52 min read

A video using satire to promote responsible dog ownership

A video using satire to promote responsible dog ownership

How to Create an Entitled, Disobedient Companion Prone to Never Ending Problems

How might you unknowingly be creating an entitled, disobedient companion prone to never ending problems?

John Whittaker

Sep 5, 20243 min read

Walking a Jack Russel Terrier

Walking a Jack Russel Terrier

New Dog Training Programs - Fall 2024

What a lot of clients really want is just a few things. When it comes to dog training exercises they want leash manners for walks around the neighborhood. Then they want absolute control when needed, and an off-leash recall. Of course, manners as well as addressing behavioral issues. Well, we’ve taken these observations and turned them into Dog Training Fundamentals.

John Whittaker

Sep 3, 20242 min read

A dog enjoying freedom as a result of obedience training

A dog enjoying freedom as a result of obedience training

The Naked Way: The Art of Balancing Freedom & Control

The missing piece for most fully trained dogs is establishing non-verbal long-term rules to guide behavior when not under an obedience command.

John Whittaker

Jul 24, 20244 min read

Dog aggression from a mix breed

Dog aggression from a mix breed

How am I Influencing My Dog's Aggression?

One of the greatest influences when it comes to aggression is a dog’s history of acting on impulses.

John Whittaker

Jul 24, 20244 min read

First Time Meeting a Rescue Dog

First Time Meeting a Rescue Dog

Adopting Rescue Dogs (do's, don'ts, challenges, and solutions)

The adoption of rescue dogs is such a noble act of kindness. Your approach to it will make a difference.

John Whittaker

Feb 29, 20244 min read

Puppy Socialization: How, Where and Why

Puppy Socialization: How, Where and Why

Best Practices for Puppy Socialization

The single greatest cause of fear, anxiety and aggression in adult dogs is the lack of socialization as a puppy.

John Whittaker

Jan 8, 20247 min read

Socializing Puppies: Worst Possible Advice

Socializing Puppies: Worst Possible Advice

Socializing Puppies: Worst Possible Advice

The worst possible advice any puppy owner could possibly be given is “don’t socialize your puppy until they receive their last shots”.

John Whittaker

Jan 4, 20243 min read

Resolving Dog Reactivity

Resolving Dog Reactivity

Resolving Dog Reactivity

Dog reactivity, whether directed towards people or other dogs, can have different root causes dependent on whether a dog shows reactivity as a way of dealing with a perceived threat, protecting resources such as food and toys, or as a way to establish dominance.

John Whittaker

Dec 22, 20236 min read

Dog Training by NDT: Foundational Freedom

Dog Training by NDT: Foundational Freedom

Dog Training by NDT: Foundational Freedom

There are few things more important than a solid foundation! Freedom as a Foundation Foundational freedom is a dog fully expressing their personality and seeing that expression in everything they do. In Naked Dog Training nothing happens without this freedom as a foundation. The best way to understand foundational freedom is to look at dogs who exemplify freedom. Often dogs with high energy, and no control, are VERY free spirited. They live freedom, but it’s not useful. Their

John Whittaker

Sep 28, 20232 min read

Consequences (Are they really necessary?)

Consequences (Are they really necessary?)

Consequences (Are they really necessary?)

"Unfortunately, dogs often don't understand the natural consequences of their choices (being hit by a car) . . . or comprehend the injuries they can cause. That's where functional dog training comes in. " Are Consequences Really Necessary? A question was once asked "Who makes the best parents? The parent who expects their child to always get everything right? Or the parent who prepares their child to do what's right, as well as a plan in place for when their child makes a mis

John Whittaker

Jul 18, 20234 min read

dogs, their learning and training principles

dogs, their learning and training principles

Is Your Natural Communication Causing Problems?

How natural ways of communicating and managing your dog may be causing problems.

John Whittaker

Jul 18, 20233 min read

Dog Training by NDT: Tone and Volume Matter

Dog Training by NDT: Tone and Volume Matter

Dog Training by NDT: Tone and Volume Matter

There's no doubt strong tone and physiology works, but there's a better way! Clearly, when it comes to dog training, tone and physiology matter. After learning not to be Charlie Brown’s teacher the second most important principle in our approach to dog training is tone and volume matter. There is no need to raise your voice, speak harshly or forcefully. You can speak in a matter-of-fact tone and enjoy complete off-leash control of your dog everywhere, and all the time, regar

John Whittaker

Jul 18, 20232 min read

Your Dog & CBD (why consider using it)

Your Dog & CBD (why consider using it)

Your Dog & CBD (why consider using it)

Why Use CBD? The reason why you should consider using CBD as a supplement for your dog is very simple: it works. If you understand how and why CBD works, you'll most likely want it for your dog as well. What Does CBD Have to Do With Dog Behavior? Our approach to training can almost always change behaviors. Even the most extreme behaviors. What's even more exciting to us is that in changing a dog's behavior it can often change how a dog thinks and experiences life. Why is that

John Whittaker

Jul 18, 20235 min read

The Over Use of Commands

The Over Use of Commands

Dog Training Commands (Don't be Charlie Brown's Teacher)

The greatest stumbling block for most owners is giving up being Charlie Brown's teacher.

John Whittaker

Jul 18, 20232 min read

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