Raising Happy Dogs

It’s time to reimagine the way we live with dogs.For more than four decades, Sarah Hodgson has worked with dogs and the people who love them. A bestselling author, trainer, and educator, she has helped thousands of families understand how dogs think, communicate, and learn. Her message is simple: dogs learn best when they feel safe and happy. Training isn’t a military exercise or a circus trick. It’s about connecting our words with actions, objects, and everyday routines.We often forget that dogs are navigating a human world filled with interruptions and expectations their instincts never prepared them for. This book helps you understand what’s happening beneath your dog’s behavior—and shows you what to do next. You’ll learn how to: RAISE A PUPPY: Shape good habits by understanding how puppies learn, develop, and regulate. SUPPORT A RESCUE DOG: Help an adopted dog develop trust and find their footing in a new home. CALM LEASH REACTIVITY: Reduce barking and lunging by helping your dog feel secure and connected. QUIET UNNECESSARY BARKING: Identify what triggers barking and change the patterns. EASE SEPARATION ANXIETY: Build confidence around being alone and make departures less stressful. RESHAPE FEAR ASSOCIATIONS: Help your dog form new associations with the people, places, sounds, and experiences that frighten them. UNDERSTAND AGGRESSION & BIG REACTIONS: Recognize the fear, frustration, guarding, or stress behind intense reactions. BUILD CALM, FOCUS, & SELF-REGULATION: Teach your dog to settle, recover, and stay engaged when life gets stimulating. Through practical strategies, games, real-life stories, and a fresh perspective on canine behavior, Hodgson offers a kinder, clearer way to raise dogs—one built on communication, participation, and trust.