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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 and that typically involves […]

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 […]

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 […]

Do You Need To Be Firmer With Your Dog?

Do you have trouble getting your dog to listen? I got a call the other day from a woman who, when she was talking about training problems with her dog told me she knows she needs to do a better job of being firmer with him. Since this has come up before, I thought I’d share some of my thoughts when it comes to teaching your dog good manners. If you are someone with this same concern, I want to encourage you to re-phrase how you are thinking about training your dog. Instead of thinking, “I have to be firmer with my dog”, I encourage you to think, “How can I do a better job of being someone my dog will WANT to listen to?”

Do you have trouble getting your dog to listen?  I got a call the other day from a woman who, when she was talking about training problems with her dog told me she knows she needs to do a better job of being firmer with him. If you are someone with this same concern, I […]

Winter Safety Tips For Your Dog

winter safety tips for your dog

If you live in my Greater Cincinnati region, I don’t need to tell you we are just about on the verge of one of worst winter storms. Very quickly over the next few hours, outside wind chill temperatures will be dropping to minus 20 to 30 degrees or lower with snow and ice. We will […]

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