The Problem With Begging Your Dog To Train

The problem with begging your dog to train. . It is applying pressure, coercion, even force. You may notice more dog stress signals or avoidance.

Something to think about when it comes to dog training (or parrot training, or training any other animals) …if you demand or beg for participation, it is not REALLY about cooperation. It is applying pressure, coercion, even force. You may notice more dog stress signals or avoidance. You probably will not see an eager willingness […]

Hack For Dog Calm Door Greetings

When it comes to your dog's calm door greeting manners, many wish their dog would stop jumping on guests and keep four paws on the ground. Here is a hack for calm dog greetings using a Kong dog toy.

When it comes to your dog’s calm door greeting manners, many wish their dog would stop jumping on guests and keep four paws on the ground. Let me introduce you to one story. Once upon a time, Brutus was afraid of me as he was afraid of many new people and things in his environment. […]

Why This Quote About Teaching Talks To Me

“Our learners should respond to requests because they have the skills and motivation to do so, and not because they are forced to behave in order to avoid punishment.” ~ Dr. Susan Friedman. I love this quote from Dr. Friedman. This talks to me on so many levels as it relates to dog training, parrot training, and training any other species.

“Our learners should respond to requests because they have the skills and motivation to do so, and not because they are forced to behave in order to avoid punishment.”  ~ Dr. Susan Friedman. I love this quote from Dr. Friedman. This quote about teaching talks to me on so many levels as it relates to […]

Your Dog’s Basic Needs Piggy Bank

Are you investing enough into your dog's basic needs piggy bank?

Have you ever stopped to think about your personal needs, those parts of your life that help you to feel satisfied, fulfilled, happy and safe?  Ask yourself, “Are you investing in your dog’s basic needs piggy bank?”  (or really any captive animal you share your life with) Those are things that really should be considered […]

Greeting A Sensitive Dog

Maisey, a very sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, tends to do submissive behaviors when greeting people and dogs. She is a sensitive dog and tends to approach with a wiggly but lowered body posture and tail; and will roll over and expose her belly when she gets to the person or dog. In this blog post, I’ll talk about sensitive dogs (also referred to as soft dogs), and how I helped Maisey have confidence in coming to me.

Maisy, a very sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, tends to do submissive behaviors when greeting people and dogs. She is a sensitive dog and tends to approach with a wiggly but lowered body posture and tail; and will roll over and expose her belly when she gets to the person or dog. In this blog […]

Choice, Empowerment And Agency In Dog Training

Agency is the ability to have control of your environment, decisions and life. Agency, choice and empowerment are important words when it comes to dog training (and other animal training) and animal welfare.

Choice and empowerment are two words I have used a lot over the years when it comes to modifying behaviors AND enhancing quality of life.  Rather than using force and aversive strategies as much as possible, I prefer to teach and create change in the most positive and least intrusive ways (now called LIMA training […]

Trigger Stacking In Dogs

Trigger stacking occurs when numerous stress inducing events occur, and can be the culprit behind your dog's behavior.

A woman was telling me the other day about how she couldn’t understand why her dog ‘out of the blue’ barked and lunged at someone he sees and solicits pets from all the time. Someone else was telling me about how his dog, that is very friendly, ‘out of the blue’ growled at a child […]

What Does Positive Reinforcement Have To Do With Love?

“What is love except for another name for positive reinforcement? Or vice versa.” ~ B.F.Skinner

“What is love except for another name for positive reinforcement? Or vice versa.” ~ a quote by B.F.Skinner.  Even long before I began dog training with positive reinforcement (and parrot training), and studying Applied Behavior Analysis as it relates to pets, I have LOVED this quote from B.F. Skinner.  It speaks to me on different levels. What does positive reinforcement have to do with love? I’ll explain.

Reframing Thoughts About A Social Dog

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard from dog owners that they would like to have a more social dog with other dogs. They are frustrated and even embarrassed taking their dog for a walk because their dog barks at certain neighborhood dogs. Usually, the topic comes up when they tell me about their reactive dog on leash, making a generality about their dog’s leash behavior. Let’s reframe our thoughts about having a social dog.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard from dog owners that they would like to have a more social dog with other dogs. They are frustrated and even embarrassed taking their dog for a walk because their dog barks at certain neighborhood dogs. Usually, the topic comes up when they tell me […]