Behavior
How to Stop a Dog Chewing Everything (Force-Free)
Chewed shoes, table legs and TV remotes? Destructive chewing is normal dog behavior with a fixable cause. Why dogs chew, how to redirect it, and why punishment backfires.
The Ruffy Blog
Dog training tips & guides
Practical, force-free advice to help you and your dog learn together, from a puppy's first week to lifelong good habits.
Care
How to Trim Your Dog's Nails Without the Struggle
Nail trims turn into a wrestling match for a lot of dogs — and a bleeding quick makes the next one worse. Here's how to cut your dog's nails calmly and safely, how to find the quick (even on black nails), and how to teach a dog who hates it to sit still for it.
Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Lie Down (the 'Down' Cue)
Down is the calm off-switch of dog training — for the vet, the café, the front door. Here's the force-free way to lure it, fade the treat, and add the word so it actually holds.
Behavior
Why Does My Dog Eat Poop? (And How to Stop It, Kindly)
It's gross, but it's common and rarely a sign of something sinister. Here's what the science says about why dogs eat poop — their own, the cat's, or a horse's — plus the vet checks worth doing and the force-free way to stop it.
Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Sit (Without Pushing on Their Bottom)
Sit is the first cue most dogs learn — and the one people teach with the least reliable method. Here's the force-free way to get a fast, happy sit in a few short sessions, and how to make it stick.
Training
How to Teach Your Dog to 'Leave It' (a Cue That Can Save Their Life)
Dropped pills, chicken bones on the pavement, something dead in the grass — 'leave it' is the cue that stops your dog before they grab it. Here's the force-free way to build it, and why it works better than snatching things away.
Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Stay (the Three D's Method)
A reliable stay isn't about your dog freezing on command — it's a skill you build in three directions. Here's the force-free method trainers use, step by step, with the mistakes that quietly undo it.
Training
How to Teach Your Dog to Come When Called (a Reliable Recall)
A force-free guide to building a recall your dog actually listens to — the golden rules that make or break it, a step-by-step progression from the living room to the park, and the mistakes that quietly ruin it.
Puppies
How to Socialize a Puppy (Even Before Their Shots Are Done)
A clear, force-free guide to puppy socialization: why the first few months matter so much, how to do it safely before vaccinations are complete, and a checklist of experiences to cover.
Behavior
Why Does My Dog Eat Grass? (And When to Worry)
Grass eating is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — dog behaviors. What the science actually says, when it's harmless, and the few signs that mean a vet visit.
Puppies
How to Stop a Puppy From Biting (Without Punishment)
Puppy biting is normal — but it doesn't have to hurt. A calm, force-free guide to why puppies nip, how to teach bite inhibition, and what to do in the moment when those needle teeth come out.
Puppies
Puppy Not Getting Potty Trained? 8 Reasons Why — and the Fix
Still cleaning up puddles? Here are the most common reasons a puppy isn't getting potty trained — from age and schedule slip-ups to medical causes — and exactly how to fix each one.
Behavior
Dog Separation Anxiety: Why It Happens and How to Help
Does your dog panic when left alone? A calm, force-free guide to spotting real separation anxiety, telling it apart from boredom, and gently teaching your dog that being alone is safe.
Behavior
How to Stop Your Dog Jumping Up on People (Force-Free)
Dogs jump up to greet us — it's excitement, not bad manners. A calm, force-free guide to why it happens and how to teach four paws on the floor, at the door and everywhere else.
Behavior
Why Does My Dog Bark So Much? (And How to Stop It)
Dogs bark for a reason — boredom, alarm, attention, anxiety, or frustration. A force-free guide to figuring out why your dog barks and what actually quiets each kind of barking.
Training
How to Stop a Dog Pulling on the Leash (Force-Free)
Why dogs pull on the leash — and how to teach loose-leash walking without choke chains or jerks. A calm, science-backed method you can start on your next walk.
Behavior
Why Is My Dog Scared of Fireworks? (And How to Help)
Why fireworks terrify so many dogs — and what actually helps. A calm, force-free guide to preparing your home, soothing your dog in the moment, and easing the fear long term.
Puppies
How to Crate Train a Puppy: A Calm, Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to crate train your puppy the gentle way. A vet-informed, step-by-step plan to build a safe den, stop the whining, and make the crate your puppy's favorite place.
Puppies
How to Potty Train a Puppy: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to potty train your puppy fast with this vet-informed, step-by-step guide. Build a routine, prevent accidents, and use positive reinforcement that actually works.