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…
Tag: reward based training
Training and Oatmeal, they have a lot in common
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….
shutting a dog down
It isn’t hard to shut your dog down, lots of people do it. Shutting a dog down means ‘taking the wind out of their sails’. It is an effective way to let a dog know they have no choices, and it is your way, period. Family pet owners to seasoned professionals are capable of doing…
Calvin, a true jelly bean – part 9
I wanted to get back into the gym with Calvin today, work on some specifics, and also strengthen fetch a bit more. What was interesting the other night, and I know it was cool out and that kind of makes dogs a bit zingy, is that Calvin was so aroused, so excited, that while we…
CALVIN’s about town adventure – part 5
So Calvin and I were out and about again. It’s so fun showing him the world, but also seeing everything new through his eyes. I decided that I needed to see how he did in a car that was going faster, as in LONG road trip type speed. It didn’t go so well when we…
The Education of Mr. Sweet Cheeks, aka CALVIN – part 1
Calvin is a seven month old male dog. He was sold to his first owner as an American Pit Bull Terrier, but he is obviously a mix. The wool around his neck and withers is only one big clue, let alone his ear set, long body, over all appearance, and gorgeous marking/coloring. He just moved…
10 things your pet sitter/walker would like you to know
I just had a lovely coffee date with a pet sitter/walker here in town. My dates are far and few between, so it’s always a welcome hour, or more! It’s fun to talk shop with someone who is on the ‘other side’ of what I do. While I coach people, and work with dogs, in…
it’s not about winning and losing
“Don’t let your dog win!” This phrase has been rolling around in my head since yesterday. I have been mumbling this phrase every which way, including diagonally, and sideways. And truth be told, I have felt a bit like Audrey Wood’s character, Silly Sally, who went to town, walking backwards and upside down. This isn’t a…
my cautious, fearful, Ocean – part 3
As Ocean and I were growing together, our household grew as well, intentionally I might add. Story came to our home when Ocean was three, and $eeker moved in just two years later. Again, I think it would be fair to state that Ocean would have preferred to be our only dog, possibly the only…
what happens to your dogs when the front door is left open for 3 hours?
My kids and I slept in this morning. It felt so yummy, so luxurious, so needed. When my eyes did open to greet the day, I felt so completely rested and sated. Getting up, stretching, clear eyes, a big smile, please let me remember how dam good this feels! I went to put the kettle…
Nancy Tanner 