Testing A New Kong Enrichment Toy
Our Sam loves it when Kong sends me new toys to test! Here he is trying out a new dog food dispensing toy called the Tiltz. Enrichment is so important for dogs. There are so many fun ways you can use food to create fun indoor games for your dog, and so many toy choices […]
Talking In Dog Training
I was observing a client the other day showing me how she asks her dog to come. “Fido (not his real name), Fido, Fido,” she shouted as her dog looked the other direction, sniffed something on the ground, and then decided to return to her. Another time I was watching a man demonstrate loose leash […]
Kids: No Bear Hugs Please
Parents, please note, when it comes to helping your children build strong a strong relationship with their dog, it is important to remind them that big bear hugs make most dogs very uncomfortable – and NO ONE likes being around someone who makes them feel uncomfortable.
Treat And Retreat
Sometimes, the unexpected happens…and it becomes a good topic for a blog post! Last week, while working outside with a longtime client, a man came by on a bike. He happens to be a dog lover so he stopped and got off his bike to say hello. Everything seemed fine about that, the girl on […]
How To Keep Dogs Off The Couch
From time to time I get asked how families can keep their dog from jumping on their sofa or chair. I have also gotten asked whether or not they should even allow their dog on furniture. Let’s talk about the second sentence first. Unless you have a situation of location guarding, meaning your dog stiffens […]
Communication Matters
I have long admired Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CDBC, CPDT, and have read her book, Control Unleashed, several times. The first time being early in my career, and it had a lot of influence on me. Leslie teaches how to use games and communication to affect behavior change, and build confidence, trust and focus in the […]
Are You Teaching Your Pet Unwanted Behaviors?
The other day I was working with a client whose dog had a ‘bad’ habit of pulling really hard on a leash to greet oncoming people. It is actually not an uncommon behavior problem that I get called upon to help with. On that appointment, over the course of one hour with numerous short sessions, […]
Have A Jealous Or Stubborn Dog? Why I Can’t Help.
It happens SO often. When you ask pet owners about problems they are having with their pets, it boils down to their pet being dominant, jealous, dumb, stubborn, territorial, vicious, a pest, or just plain BAD. Well, here’s the thing. When you tell me your dog is jealous, stubborn, or unmotivated I have absolutely no […]
To Change Your Pet’s Behavior, Try Changing The Environment
One of the greatest gifts that behavior science has given me is the incredible ability to modify behaviors in the least intrusive, most positive way. Often times I can set myself and my pets up for success simply by rearranging the environment to make the wanted behavior easier than the unwanted behavior. Sound confusing? It […]
A Simple Solution to Dog Problems
Sharing a lesson from the field: The other day, at an appointment with a new dog training client, one of the problems she had mentioned was how her puppy – a terrier mix – would bark A LOT at squirrels Ellie saw out this one window in the living room. If you have a dog […]