Thank goodness for Zoom! Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we entered a world of telecommunication previously familiar only to astronauts, researchers stationed in Antarctica, and characters in science fiction movies. How would we have functioned throughout the pandemic without it? Because of safety restrictions during the pandemic, dog trainers had Read more…
What is a “good dog”? People tend to categorize dogs as “good dogs” when they are confident, friendly, and relaxed. Working dogs and performance dogs need these qualities so fear and anxiety don’t distract them from their jobs. People tend to expect family pets to be safe and reliable around Read more…
Controlling resources can help you make household rules clear for your dogs. Control the resources and you don’t have to control the dog. The easiest way to start training is to provide things a dog wants to reinforce the choices he makes. Feeding your dog involves providing an important resource Read more…
This is a really long blog post! Here’s why. The article is not just some fun ideas about introducing dogs. It’s a full self-study lesson in how to do it. Introducing dogs is a big topic, with lots of opportunities to make mistakes that have great impact on dogs’ futures. Read more…
Playing with you, his owner, is different from any other activity your dog engages in. It’s not like playing with toys by himself or playing with other dogs. It’s not like doing training exercises with you, earning treats – those exercises are important, but different. It’s simple to play with Read more…
Your own basic training skills are the foundation of everything you want to train your dog to do. “Advanced training is simply the precise application of the fundamentals.” — Dr. Robert E. Bailey Really? That’s all there is to it? To highly skilled trainers, the statement above is a reminder Read more…
What is “Be a Tree”? You’ve probably heard of the “Be a Tree” technique, where you stop when your dog reaches the end of the leash. Some people suggest you turn and go the other way when your dog gets to the end of the leash. Both of these techniques Read more…
Why training with treats is ideal Tiny, kibble-sized, super-tasty treats are the best training tools around. Training with treats means using your own basic training skills, keeping the leash loose yourself, and getting your dog to volunteer to do what you want. First, commit to keeping the leash loose yourself. Read more…
Are you walking a dog or flying a kite? What guides your dog when the two of you are walking? Is it the leash itself? Or on the other hand, does your dog watch you to see where you go, with a loose leash between you? Some dogs and owners Read more…
Make a plan to start leash training Stand in the living room with your treat bag on and a leash in your hand. Decide which side you want your dog to walk on, and make your commitment to sticking to the rules you’re creating for your leash walks. Do this Read more…