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. Playing with a toy with Read more…
“Advanced training is simply the precise application of the fundamentals.” — Dr. Robert E. Bailey Really? That’s all there is to it? To highly successful trainers, this statement is a reminder to always start with the fundamentals. Whether solving behavior problems or training a new dog, the fundamentals of behavior Read more…
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 result in the dog feeling Read more…
Tiny, kibble-sized, super-tasty treats are the best training tools around. Commit to keeping the leash loose yourself. Practice your own leash skills so you’re confident about how to manage the leash and give treats. Then get your dog involved in the leash-walking game! Give your dog a treat for each Read more…
Are you walking a dog or flying a kite? What guides your dog when the two of you are walking? The leash? Or does your dog watch to see where you go? Some dogs and owners use a tight leash as their guide. These dogs are used to pulling their Read more…
Make a plan to train 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 while your Read more…