The ability to wait for things is not a skill dogs are born knowing. They see a squirrel, they charge after it. They smell scents and they stop to take it in. They see an open doorway and they run through it. They see tasty food and they grab it. Teaching your dog self control, zen, impulse control is a great foundation for lots of other training.
Dog and Pet Training Tip
My behavior tip for today: When you are teaching an animal lessons in self control or anything else for that matter, it is so important to begin where your student is capable of learning. That means carefully introducing distractions only at a level where your learner can continue to focus and do the behavior you are looking for, and moving forward as your student can succeed. Short training sessions allows you both to focus on each other. #dogtips #dogtraining [Read more…] about Dog and Pet Training Tip
Solving Parrot Behavior Problems
On Facebook last week, someone in my network asked me some questions about parrots. They were questions I have heard before. I thought I’d write a post so that others too can learn from my answers. [Read more…] about Solving Parrot Behavior Problems
A Bite Prevention Tip For Kids And Dogs
I wanted to share this reminder. To teach your dog positive associations with your child, encourage your child to sit beside your dog instead of standing over, leaning on top of, or giving a big bear hug to your dog. Create situations where your dog can relax and enjoy time with your child. Some body language to look for in a relaxed and/or happy dog is: body weight evenly distributed, open and loose mouth, laying with one foot tucked under, tail wagging side to side or in a round motion. #biteprevention [Read more…] about A Bite Prevention Tip For Kids And Dogs
Why Repeating Cues Breaks Down Behavior
Ever had a nagging mother or significant other? You know how you eventually tune them out? That is called habituation and our dogs can do that too. It’s a great idea to teach the behavior that you want to see and get it rock solid before adding your cue. And begin practices in a place with minimum to no distractions. If you are needing to repeat a cue over and over, your dog is giving you feedback. And if you continue, you will weaken that cue. Instead, go back and work on strengthening the behavior with high value reinforcers. Teach your dog that doing the behavior you want him to do is going to be absolutely worth it for him. [Read more…] about Why Repeating Cues Breaks Down Behavior
Using Play In Dog Training
When you think about pet training and behavior management, do you also think about playing?
Think about it for a minute. Think about how much more engaged you are in an activity or a conversation (and tuning out the outside distractions) when you are laughing and being challenged. [Read more…] about Using Play In Dog Training