How to Maximize Your Dog's Potential: Training our dogs through love, understanding, and structure.

By Jordan Rogers

Working with dogs can be challenging, especially for new owners and trainers who don't have much experience working with a variety of dogs and issues.

It can be frustrating and overwhelming trying to work through difficult situations, and sometimes slow or a lack of progress can make you feel like you aren’t doing a good job.

Luckily, this book contains everything you need to know about working with dogs so that you can live a happy and harmonious life with a well-mannered pup.

"Jordan's influence on Lola's life is immeasurable, and her recent book is a testament to her expertise. I wholeheartedly recommend Jordan to anyone seeking a dog trainer of the highest caliber. Her insights and methods are not only effective but also inspiring." - Catherine Buck

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spines
• Release date: Jun 3, 2024
• ISBN: 9798893831931

Book preview

How to Maximize Your Dog’s Potential

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DOG’S POTENTIAL

Training your dogs through love, understanding, and structure.

JORDAN ROGERS

Jordan Rogers

How to Maximize Your Dog’s Potential

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2023 by Jordan Rogers

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Published by Spines

1500 Getaway Blvd, Boynton Beach, FL

ISBN: 979-8-89383-193-1

This book was written and dedicated to the memory of the most incredible dog I have ever known, Koda.

Koda passed away on July 15th, 2023, at the age of 11 after suffering a short but intense battle with osteosarcoma, but not before he left me with a lifetime of knowledge and lessons. Through watching Koda and the way he mentored all the new puppies that came into my house, I learned more about dog behavior and interactions than I have from any schooling. He taught them about good behavior in the home and would step in if they were jumping on people or other dogs or got the zoomies in the house, he moderated their play and would help teach them how to properly interact with adult dogs while issuing minimal corrections (to either the puppy or adult dog), and above all, he taught me that patience, understanding, and communicating with the dog in a way that they understand is key to any successful training endeavor. Overall, Koda proved to me that structure, guidance, and only using corrections when absolutely necessary, was all you needed to train a dog.

On top of all his tireless efforts to help new puppies, he was also a therapy dog for anyone who was lucky enough to know him. Koda felt and saw everything, and whether you were so angry you were throwing things, or so sad you couldn’t pull yourself off the floor, you could guarantee that he was going to be there to pull you out of it. He not only helped people feel loved and important, but he also helped many people and dogs overcome their fear of dogs, just by being a giant, scary looking dog, with the heart and presence of an angel.

For me personally, he taught me what true love really is. When I was anxious, he was my weighted blanket; when I was happy, he was my adventure buddy; when I was sad, he was my source of a smile and a shoulder to lean on; when I was angry, he grounded me; when I was scared, he was my protector; and even when I made mistakes, he was my number one supporter. No matter where I went or what I did, he was always right there beside me. Koda wasn’t a fighter, but he was for me and his brothers, and he saved each of us at one time or another. You were never safer or felt more loved than when Koda was around. He also showed a girl who tried to avoid children how precious they really are, and that they should be loved and protected at all costs, while being the gentlest guardian of any child he met.

To say that Koda is missed would be an understatement, and his contributions to the people and dogs he impacted will forever be remembered.

I love you, Koda.

Thank you for saving me and for everything you taught me along the way. 

ADVANCE PRAISE

"I cannot recommend Jordan, our dog trainer, highly enough! Her incredible skills and dedication have transformed our once-unmanageable German Shorthaired Pointer/Lab mix, Lola, into a fantastic and well-behaved family dog. Jordan's innovative methods saved Lola's life and have made a lasting impact on our entire household.

From the start, Jordan exhibited unparalleled expertise. Lola's challenging behaviors, including defiance and aggression, were met with Jordan's deep understanding of canine cognition. She crafted a personalized training program that not only addressed Lola's unique needs but also enlightened us about the importance of mental stimulation alongside physical exercise.

What sets Jordan apart is her unwavering commitment. She tackled one of the most challenging cases she had encountered, working tirelessly to achieve remarkable results. Her patience and dedication were truly commendable.

Jordan's communication skills were also outstanding. She was always available to answer our questions, provide guidance, and offer support whenever we needed it. Her responsiveness and willingness to share her expertise made the entire training process a positive and empowering experience for us as pet owners.

Beyond her professional skills, Jordan developed a wonderful relationship with Lola, and the positive impact endures to this day. Lola, once a defiant and aggressive puppy, is now a lovable and well-behaved family dog who seamlessly coexists with our three other labs.

Jordan's influence on Lola's life is immeasurable, and her recent book is a testament to her expertise. I wholeheartedly recommend Jordan to anyone seeking a dog trainer of the highest caliber. Her insights and methods are not only effective but also inspiring.

It is with high regard that I can attest to Jordan's exceptional skills, commitment, and the success stories she creates are deserving of widespread recognition. Thank you, Jordan, for making a profound difference in our lives and Lola's. You truly are an exceptional dog trainer!

Catherine Brigger - happy dog owner of 4"

DISCLAIMER

This book, as well as all training advice from our trainers and videos, are being provided to you for educational purposes only. We are not responsible for anything you do, or do not do, with your dog or any other dog, and we are not responsible for the outcomes of those actions, or lack thereof. Rather, we are only giving you the tools to understand and be able to work with dogs.

We have no intention, need, or desire to try and sway you towards or away from any training methods or tools out there. Rather, we aim to teach you how to properly utilize every training tool and technique. When in doubt, it is always better to know how to use something properly and never use it, than it is to not know and do it incorrectly or allow a dog to be injured.

Please know, if you are completely against everything except positive reinforcement, then this book probably is not for you. We will not be fielding any negative comments or complaints from people with varying viewpoints, as this book is being provided for educational purposes only, and we want to ensure that people are getting complete information.

FOREWORD

I met Jordan Rogers while studying for my dog training certification. I quickly realized how incredibly fortunate I was to be paired with Jordan as my training mentor. She became an essential part of my education and understanding of dog behavior. Jordan shared her knowledge with me and encouraged me to learn even more than what the program had to offer. Watching her successfully work with dogs on various goals was truly inspiring. She has an understanding and a way of connecting with dogs unlike anything I've ever seen before. Always supportive, Jordan was a reliable and consistent mentor. She provided me with a valuable learning experience that far exceeded any expectations I could have had. Jordan also has the biggest heart and the most genuine love for dogs. When our puppy Luna became increasingly reactive, Jordan did not hesitate for a second to offer her help. She took Luna into her home to help her through her fears. She also supported my family in learning how to manage and respond to a fear-reactive puppy. Our girl Luna has made significant progress and leads a much happier life now. Jordan helped us see beyond challenging behaviors and understand where they came from and how to respond appropriately and effectively. We are forever grateful for her knowledge, compassion, and support.

Jordan's understanding of dog behavior and her ability to modify behaviors is incredible. I'm so excited that she is now sharing her mentoring experience and training expertise through Koda's Canine Academy! I've learned so much from her already and consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside Jordan.

Billie Lawrence

CONTENTS

Section One:

Everything you Should Know about Dogs

Bringing Home a New Puppy

New Puppy Checklist

Things to Consider:

Importance of Exposure

Why is exposure important?

Common Mistakes in Exposure

Using the Engage/Disengage Game

The importance of Body Language

Tips for Getting Started:

What Impacts a Dog’s Trainability?

Introduction to How Dog’s Learn

Principle 1: Positive Reinforcement

Principle 2: Negative Punishment

Principle 3: Negative Reinforcement

Principle 4: Positive Punishment

Tips to Being a Good Dog Handler

Group Class or Private Training?

Section Two:

Creating Good House Manners

Crate Training – Why you Should

Reasons you should crate train your dog:

Things to avoid while crate training.

Common questions:

Potty Training Made Easy(er)

How to potty train your puppy:

Sitting and Waiting for Their Food Bowl

How to teach it:

Things to avoid:

No Jumping from the Get-go

Chewing

Section Three:

Teaching the Obedience Cues

Building the Association Between Our Marker and Food Treat

Why Teach It?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach it

Teaching them their Name.

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach it

The No-Reward Marker

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach it

Sit

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach It

Stay

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach It

Come

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach It

Leave-it

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach It

The Difference Between Wait and Stay

Down

Why teach it?

Trainer tip!

How to Teach It

Heeling

Section Four:

Addressing Problem Behaviors

Important Things to Remember about Changing Behaviors

Nipping

Barking

Digging

Impulse Control / Hyperactivity

Fear Reactivity – Case Study on Luna

Working with Littermates – Case Study on Bella and