You are trying to do the right thing. Following the signs and the rules. Walking, training, and spending quality time with your dog. Enjoying the day, the weather, the simple pleasure of movement. And then you see an off-leash dog coming your way with an owner making no effort whatsoever to call their dog back.… Read More Strategies for dealing with off-leash dogs in on-leash only areas
Every day of every week I have a person tell me their dog is stubborn and won’t do ‘this or that’. And just so we are clear, this is the formal definition of STUBBORN – ‘having or showing dogged determination not to change one’s attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments… Read More Is there really such a thing as a stubborn dog?
The virtual Trainers Tool Box. The ‘make believe’ place where ideas, techniques, theories, and training aids are stored. Just in case, because you never know when you’ll need it. The smoke screen place that assumes no blame and no shame. The illusion that all knowledge is usable and viable and fair. Again, just in case, because… Read More ditch the TOOL BOX …
If you think dogs can be reactive, please note that they have nothing on us humans. We might be the most reactive species there is. Some of us more than others. And it doesn’t bode well for our relationship with our dog most of the time. Handlers that tend to be reactionary to their dogs… Read More Band-Aid Behaviors … they simply don’t work
When you step up to the plate and start to teach your dog a new behavior, it should feel awkward, and a bit foreign, somewhat exciting, and for sure unformed and unrecognizable. You are growing a behavior, not harvesting the benefits of the behavior just yet. Growing behaviors is what I refer to as the DISCOVERY… Read More growing behaviors, it’s a bit like silly putty
I use to travel quite a bit to give workshops around the country. I liked the travel, loved the groups I worked with, and I appreciated the exchange of ideas, energy, and friendships. I enjoy giving workshops. I am a ‘get in the dirt and work’ kind of person, so learning by doing makes total… Read More The 6 P’s, the coolest stuff ever!
If you are good at working with another animal, teaching new skills, building complex behaviors, bringing words to fluent understanding, and doing so incrementally, for an onlooker it should be about as interesting as stirring oatmeal. Training should not be sensational. Training should not be about heightened emotions. Training should not be about entertaining onlookers.… Read More Training and Oatmeal, they have a lot in common
