Copilot Dog Training

One of the biggest mindset shifts in dog training is realizing that dogs don’t learn language the way we do.

We use words to explain. Dogs learn by making connections.

When the same word consistently predicts the same action and the same outcome, they start to understand what that word means.

But when we start filling the silence…

“Sit”

“Cmon, sit”

“I know you know this, you just don’t want to do it”

“SIT!”

…the cue becomes less clear. Your dog isn’t sorting through your explanation looking for the important word. They’re taking in your tone, your body language, the environment, and trying to figure out what predicts success.

That’s why professional trainers spend so much time thinking about timing and consistency. A cue (“command”) is simply information. The clearer and more predictable that information is, the easier it is for your dog to understand.

So the next time you’re tempted to repeat yourself, try this instead:

• Say the cue once.

• Pause for a second or two and let your dog process.

• If they don’t respond, don’t keep repeating the cue. Instead, make the exercise easier or help them succeed.

Dogs aren’t ignoring us because they need a better explanation or out of spite. Most of the time, they need clearer information.

Introducing Puppy Socialization Adventures! 🌇

We know socialization is important—but between work, life, and the Chicago weather, it isn’t always easy to fit in all the outings your puppy needs during a critical time of their life.

That’s where we come in.

We’ll take your puppy on real-world adventures like cafés, parks, public transit, pet-friendly stores, neighborhood walks, and more. Every outing is thoughtfully planned around your puppy’s age, confidence, and comfort level.

The goal isn’t to meet as many people and dogs as possible.

It’s to help your puppy build positive associations with the world around them so they grow into a confident, adaptable adult.

Each adventure includes one-on-one time with a trainer, photos from the outing, and a recap of your puppy experienced.

If your puppy is between 12 weeks and 6 months old, we’d love to show them around Chicago.

Learn more through the link in our bio.

We talk to our dogs… a lot.

Not in the “Who’s the cutest dog ever?” kind of way. Keep doing that 🧡

We’re talking about training.

When a cue doesn’t work, it’s so natural to fill the silence.

“Sit… sit… come on… sit…”

The thing is, dogs don’t learn the way people do. While they absolutely can learn verbal cues, language isn’t how they primarily make sense of the world. They’re paying attention to patterns, timing, body language, and what happens after your cue.

When we repeat cues over and over, we can accidentally teach our dogs that the first one isn’t the one that matters. Instead of responding to “sit,” they begin waiting for the second… or third… or fourth.

The next time you’re training, try this:

Say the cue once. Then pause.

Give your dog a chance to process. If they don’t respond, resist the urge to repeat yourself. Instead, ask why.

Is the environment too distracting? Does your dog need more practice? Do they need a little help to be successful?

The goal isn’t to stop talking to your dog. The goal is to make your cues meaningful.

Sometimes, saying less communicates more.

🎉🎉 I officially earned my Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the IAABC!

This is one of those milestones that’s hard to talk about because I have complicated feelings about certifications. I don’t want to diminish and accomplishment but want to unpack a bit more about what it means.

A certification doesn’t automatically make someone a great trainer. It doesn’t replace curiosity, compassion, or years of working with dogs and the people who love them. There are incredible trainers without certifications, and there are certified professionals who still have plenty to learn.

But I also think there is real value in showing commitment to learning. Becoming a CDBC meant documenting hundreds of hours working behavior cases, submitting detailed case studies, providing professional references, and passing a comprehensive exam. It took a lot of time, a lot of studying, and a lot of reflecting on my own work.

More than anything, this credential represents something that’s really important to me: a commitment to never stop learning.

Every dog is different. Behavior is messy, emotional, and constantly evolving. I don’t ever want to be the person who thinks they’ve “figured it all out.” I want to keep asking questions, seeking out new research, learning from colleagues, and finding better ways to help dogs and their humans.

I’m incredibly grateful to the mentors, colleagues, clients, and dogs who’ve challenged me, trusted me, and helped me grow over the years. This credential may have my name on it, but it reflects lessons learned from so many of you.

Nosework is baaack! And we’re excited to introduce a refreshed curriculum for summer ⛱️

Whether you’re brand new to nosework or looking for a great way to provide mental enrichment, this class helps dogs build confidence, solve problems, and tap into their natural sniffing abilities.

🗓️ Starting Thursday, July 23
⏱️ 75 min classes for 5 weeks
🔗 Link in bio!

Vandy here, reporting live from her water fountain with a quick reminder:

4th of July right around the corner! Now is a great time to think ahead if fireworks have ever been hard on your dog—or if this will be their first holiday with them.

We know the topic of meds is a sensitive one. But if your vet recommends it, sometimes helping your pup feel a little calmer for one evening is far kinder than asking them to power through something they’re truly afraid of.

Fireworks can be overwhelming, and fear has a quick way of escalating. Every year, CACC Transfer Team (Official) sees an increase in lost dogs after the 4th because scared dogs can slip a leash, jump a fence, or bolt through an open door in a split second.

If you think your dog could use a little extra support this year, don’t wait until the last minute to make a plan. A quick call to your vet now can make a big difference 💛

Many of you already know that I adopted Artie back in February. He’s an absolutely wonderful dog: goofy, affectionate, social, and incredibly resilient. Before coming to me, he was found as a stray three times, two of those with significant physical injuries.

In the past 4 months, we’ve worked through vaccines, bloodwork, a major dental surgery, and physical therapy for his hip dysplasia. His most recent vet visit was a really big challenge and, while I’m not surprised given his background, I really want to help him.

One of the challenges with cooperative care and handling sensitivity is that it’s often difficult to work on by yourself. In Artie’s case, he’s generally very comfortable with me touching and handling him. What he struggles with is intentional touch from others: the kind of touch that clearly predicts an exam, a procedure, or a care task.

Artie loves human interaction (with the exception of over-the-head pats, which most dogs don’t prefer). But the moment handling becomes purposeful, he struggles.

So we’re taking a step back and starting a longer journey focused on cooperative care, desensitization to intentional touch, and helping veterinary visits feel safer and more predictable.

Our first stop was a canine massage session with Caragh from Wellness & Wags. While canine massage is often associated with senior dogs or dogs recovering from injury, it can also be an incredible tool for helping dogs communicate discomfort and for helping us become better students of our dogs’ body language.

During our first session, Artie got to practice communicating at a very low level and, importantly, being heard. We learned that he was much more comfortable when Caragh used one hand rather than two. And this dude loves a chest rub!

I’m hoping to share more of this journey over the coming year.

When a person is tired, distracted, overwhelmed, emotional, or simply not having their best day, we often give them the benefit of the doubt.

We might say:

“They’re going through a hard time.”

“They probably just had a bad day.”

Or simply:

“They’re human.”

But dogs don’t always get the same grace.

When they pull toward a smell, struggle to focus, become less social, seem restless, or have an off day, our first instinct is often to wonder what’s wrong or how to fix it.

The reality is that dogs are living, feeling beings navigating a world that is very different from the one we experience.

They don’t speak our language.

They don’t understand our expectations.

They don’t know why we need to get somewhere on time, why guests are coming over, or why we need them to ignore the squirrel today when it didn’t matter yesterday.

And yet we often expect them to move through our world as if they do.

Training is important. Teaching skills is important.

But so is remembering who dogs are.

Sometimes they need support.

Sometimes they need practice.

And sometimes they simply deserve the same thing we hope others would give us:

A little patience.
A little understanding.
And a little grace.

What’s one thing your dog does that you’ve learned to view differently over time?

As humans, we often place a lot of value on sociability. We celebrate the dog who loves every dog at daycare, wants to greet everyone on walks, and happily joins every playgroup.

And honestly, it makes sense. A dog who’s comfortable around everyone can make life feel a little easier—especially in busy cities where dogs regularly share sidewalks, elevators, patios, and other tight spaces.

But that’s a very human perspective.

The reality is that dogs exist on a sociability spectrum, and most fall somewhere in the middle. Many dogs are tolerant of other dogs without actively seeking interaction. Others are selective and prefer a small circle of familiar friends.

And that’s okay!

A dog doesn’t need to love every dog they meet to be happy, successful, or well-adjusted.

Just as importantly, sociability isn’t fixed. A dog’s comfort level around other dogs can shift throughout their life due to age, maturity, health, learning history, and experiences.

Rather than asking, “How can I make my dog more social?” a better question is often:

“How can I help my dog feel comfortable, safe, and successful around other dogs?”

For some dogs, that may mean playdates and group adventures. For others, it may mean calmly sharing space, going for parallel walks, or simply ignoring other dogs altogether.

The goal isn’t to create a social butterfly—it’s to understand the dog in front of you 🧡