When you and others think about dog training, typically what comes to mind is teaching your teaching your dog to sit, lay down, come when called, stay in position, walk on a loose leash and other active behaviors. Yet teaching your dog to settle is a valuable lesson. [Read more…] about Teaching Your Dog To Settle Is A Valuable Lesson
Suzanne Clothier
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 the end of the leash had loose body muscles and was moving toward him to say hello back.
Then, IT happened. She got too close for comfort and suddenly barked and backed up. Immediately I asked him to back up and we went into a different mode of training.
Timing of Consequence Matters
I admire and respect trainer Suzanne Clothier and her holistic approach to the dog-human relationship. I have taken several workshops from her and read some of her books.
In her book, Bones Would Rain From The Sky, Suzanne talks about how, “One of the great pleasures of being with dogs is their spontaneous expression of what they are feeling.” [Read more…] about Timing of Consequence Matters
A Reminder To Always Help Your Dog Feel Safe
Do you know how to recognize when your dog is not feeling safe? It is important to understand how your dog communicates so that when he is fearful and/or stressed you can take action to de-stress him (whether that be giving him distance from the aversive stimulus, stopping what your or someone else is doing, and teaching him that good things can happen in that environment). [Read more…] about A Reminder To Always Help Your Dog Feel Safe
Hear Your Dog When He Says He Does Not Feel Safe
Trust and safety are two very important words when it comes to your dog’s ability and inspiration to learn. I took a continuing education workshop from renowned trainer, Suzanne Clothier, and this quote from her has just stuck with me. [Read more…] about Hear Your Dog When He Says He Does Not Feel Safe
Training An Animal Is Like Filming A Silent Movie
Suzanne Clothier, well respected for her holistic Relationship Centered Training™ approach to dogs and the people that love them, brought up an excellent point in her recent newsletter. [Read more…] about Training An Animal Is Like Filming A Silent Movie