Why Obedience Training isn’t Getting you the Dog you Want

and why behavioral training matters...

🚨 Why isn’t obedience training working? 🚨

If your dog knows “sit” and “stay” but still doesn’t listen when it matters, it’s probably not an obedience issue—it’s a behavioral one. 🧠🐾

Here are 5 reasons obedience training alone isn’t giving you the results you want:

1️⃣ Your dog knows commands but still doesn’t listen in real situations.
2️⃣ Obedience doesn’t fix your dog’s mindset (excitement, anxiety, dominance).
3️⃣ It won’t stop bad habits like jumping, barking, or leash pulling.
4️⃣ Your dog listens at home, but falls apart in public.
5️⃣ Obedience is about commands—behavioral training is about lifestyle.

If you want real change, focus on behavior, not just commands. Let’s build a well-behaved dog who listens anywhere, anytime!

🐶hit the link to book a FREE home evaluation! Let’s get your pup on the right track.

BOOK YOUR FREE HOME EVALUATION

Meet Your Coach, Abby

Hi, I’m Abby, the proud founder of Active Paws Academy. My passion for dog training began with my own dog, King. Like many dog owners, I struggled to find a trainer who truly listened and helped me get the results I wanted. That all changed when I met Uncle Jess, better known as “Your Dog’s Favorite Uncle.” Under Jess’s guidance, I discovered the Talking Dog Method—an approach that focuses on behavior rather than verbal commands, allowing dogs to thrive through understanding and clear communication. After working as an apprentice under Jess, I decided to launch my own training business to help others unlock their dog’s potential just like I did with King.

Our mission is simple: to help dog owners achieve real results by focusing on behavior rather than words. Using the Talking Dog Method, we teach dogs through their natural instincts and patterns, creating clear and effective communication without relying on constant verbal commands. This unique approach allows us to open up a world of possibilities for dogs and their owners, helping them build a deeper, more balanced relationship.

In-Home Training Sessions

Our in-home training sessions are perfect for dogs that need extra guidance and focused attention. We address behavioral issues and any concerns within the comfort of your home, helping your dog master the essentials in their familiar environment before expanding those skills to the outside world.

If your dog has no prior training, we offer a free at-home evaluation to assess their needs and recommend the best training plan. If you're unsure whether group training or in-home training is the right fit, booking an in-home evaluation will allow a trainer to personally guide you toward the most effective solution for your dog.

Let us help you tackle behavior at home first, setting the foundation for success everywhere else!

Client Stories

  • Nicole & Arthur's Story

    Our family met Abby at the perfect time! Our Great Dane Arthur is a big energetic baby. Unfortunately we were having trouble walking him on a leash, establishing door boundaries, and containing his excitement with people and other animals while on a leash. I saw changes within Arthur after the first time we saw her which was only the home eval. After our 5 sessions I was able to safely and confidently walk Arthur on a leash, greet guests at our door without him lunging and jumping, and overall felt more confident handling him. Abby has opened so many doors for our life with Arthur, we can take him out in public and include him in so much of our life without the stress of what might happen. Abby cares so much for her clients and is so patient with both you and your pet. Often times she was not helping Arthur as much as helping me manage my stress/anxiety handling Arthur in public. I can’t recommend her enough. Even if we finished our training I know we can always count on her for help/advice.

  • Steph & Lilli's Story

    I adopted Lilli in November 2024, our first walk outside in the neighborhood went really well and she seemed like the perfect dog. About a week later, she started reacting negatively to other dogs and lunging at them. Something must have set her off or maybe she was thinking she was protecting me. Either way, I started getting really stressed out every time we would go for a walk, fearful that we would run into another dog or even a cat and that she’d somehow break free and bite them. I decided to reach out to Abby I already had a personal connection with her. It was the best decision! I already noticed a change after the first session and by the 3rd session, it was like night and day. I was still really cautious when walking her since she still had some reactivity, but Abby didn’t just help Lilli, she helped me to be more confident and to be the leader that Lilli needed me to be. I’m so proud of how far Lilli has come and I’m proud of myself, we couldn’t have gotten to where we are now without Abby!

  • Jazmin & Remi's Story

    I can’t recommend Abby enough!

    From the moment we started training with her, it was clear that she had a deep understanding of dog behavior and a true passion for helping both dogs and owners.

    Our dog, Remi, had some significant behavior issues, including pulling on walks, anxiety around people and very territorial. After just a few sessions, we saw remarkable progress.

  • Caro & Chloe's Story

    Meeting Abby was the most amazing thing that happened, not only for my dog Chloe but for myself as well. I learned so much about how to be a better owner for my dog.

    Abby’s approach and guidance transformed Chloe in ways I never thought possible. She is a completely different dog now—happier, more confident, and better behaved. Abby truly is a blessing in both of our lives, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything she’s done!

  • Jocelyn & Oliver's Story

  • Dani & Thor's Story

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We’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re ready to book a session, have questions about our training programs, or need guidance on what’s best for your dog, we’re here to help.