Teaching Your Dog Self Control, Zen, Impulse Control
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, […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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.
If Trainers Can Teach Wild Animals Without Coercion, Pet Owners Can Too
I was watching a video of a trainer at a park and wanted to share this thought I had. Definitely something to give you thought…trainers of large, undomesticated animals teach behaviors without physical correction. If they can do that, we can do that too with out pets. It is how we build a love for […]
A Dog Training Tip: Practice Consistency
Sam wanted to pop in again. He has a feeling many of his friends are just as confused. It is important to remember, we have a lot to do with the success of our pets. If we don’t provide clear criteria and cues on what behaviors we want to see (and reinforcement for those behaviors), […]
Kathy Sdao: Teaching and Loving Your Older Dog
I found a picture the other day of our dear Butch doing a behavior he was most known for, sitting up with his front paws in the air. It was something we didn’t need to teach. Butch would walk up to anyone and just sit like that, and undoubtedly we got a lot of questions […]
Cincinnati Fundraiser To Raise Money For Canine Cancer Research
Chris Pike, director of marketing & promotions for the National Canine Cancer Foundation, shared his story with me last year – a very personal reason for wanting to help raise money to fight a disease many other dog owners will experience.