When you open a door, is it a race between you and your dog who gets out first? Or if in the car, does your dog barrel over or through you to hit the pavement first? Do you feel angst when you’re about to open a door because your dog may get loose and you’ll be unable to catch him? That thought is a dog parent’s worst nightmare, especially when the worst case scenario is the outcome. This behavior of {Read More}
Dogs Who Jump on People
March 27, 2014 by
Puppies who jump on people are cute and manageable. In fact, most of them can be picked up when they jump, but they’re being rewarded for the deed every time they’re picked up. But as puppies grow, their jumping habits also grow because of the encouragement they received through the months of their youth. Then they get yelled at or worse, when all along, they were encouraged to jump, most likely by owners who weren’t thinking ahead and didn’t know {Read More}
A Dog Not Allowed On The Bed!?!?
March 24, 2014 by
Dogs know when they can behave without getting reprimanded, and when they cannot. In this case, apparently, the guardian of this dog doesn’t allow her dog on the bed. I know people have rules like that, and we can train dogs to stay off furniture, but they do learn when it’s safe to get up on that bed and when it’s not. Dogs who learn this, and any dog who’s a dog can learn this, are not being dominant or {Read More}
Dog Training Is Unregulated
March 22, 2014 by
Jean Donaldson of The Academy for Dog Trainers “Informed consent means no obfuscating language regarding motivators. Owners should ask any dog trainer what actual physical events will be used to motivate their dogs, as well as whether there are less invasive methods and procedures available to achieve outcomes.” Jean is my brilliant mentor and that is her gorgeous Chow Chow, Buffy. Ask me these questions, and I will be happy to answer you. When I train dogs, motivation is fun {Read More}
You Can Change Your Opinion
March 6, 2014 by
I often wonder if, out of all the careers on the planet, dog training isn’t the one with the most old wives’ tales still on the table and being used by some industry professionals. Or old husbands’ tales. Let’s not be sexist. One of the big reasons for that conundrum is the fact that dog training is an unregulated profession. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can call themselves a pro dog trainer, have their set of old wives’ tales playing {Read More}
