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 […]

If We Can’t Manage It, We Can’t Change It

If we can't manage it, we can't change it. Aggression is highly reinforcing for the dog because it makes the scary thing go away in most circumstances and that will be remembered." A dog training quote from Michael Shikashio, CDBC, with Aggressive Dog

“If we can’t manage it, we can’t change it.” ~ Michael Shikashio, CDBC with Aggressive Dog.    This is a conversation I have with all of my behavior case dog training clients…for these very reasons. Aggressive dog behavior is like any other behavior that is strengthened by reinforcement. If it works to get a consequence […]

Dog Separation Anxiety: One Family’s Story

dog separation anxiety - one family's story

Talk about a reason to smile! Dog separation anxiety is a real panic attack. Just ask dear MayDay. His worst episode was tearing through window screening and getting onto the roof. As you can imagine, this was not only terrifying for him, it was stressful for his people too as they love him so very […]

Why You Should Use Antecedent Arrangement?

What is antecedent arrangement and why is it important in training dogs or other animals? Antecedent arrangement is making changes to the environment to make the undesirable behavior less likely and the desirable behavior more likely

I’m working with several families now who have called because of differing reactive behavior in their dog, barking and lunging on leash or barking at guests in their home. Anytime I am helping families with a behavior issue in their dog, one of the early steps is coming up with a management plan to prevent […]