“That’s NOT My Dog!”
More than once, this has come out of a client’s mouth in response to the ease at which I can get behaviors. It can be an ego boost to hear the surprise when I get a behavior quikly. But there are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your training journey with […]
Is clicker training just for pros? Five reasons why I think clickers are great for everyone
I’ve been told before that clicker training is too difficult for the general public and that only pros can handle the logistics of holding a clicker while training. I have had students tell me they just couldn’t handle it, and while I don’t push it, I always encourage my clients to give it a try, […]
When the Cue Just Won’t Work
It’s unfortunate, but sometimes we train a cue only to find that it later becomes useless. If you train enough, this may have happened to you. But why does it happen, and what can we do to fix it? In dog training sometimes we forget that the immediate consequence of a behavior is what causes […]
Time To Walk the Dog!
Spring is here in the beautiful Boston Mountains, and if you are anything like me, you are ready to get out and enjoy it! There isn’t much better than a relaxing hike with your best friend, but for so many, walking the dog is anything but relaxing! I sometimes imagine that, if our dogs could […]
Just QUIT!
By definition, positive reinforcement is rewarding a behavior to increase it’s frequency. So how does a positive reinforcement trainer (R+) address unwanted behavior without resorting to punishment? It’s easier than you think! The first thing you have to do is find out what reward the dog is already getting from the unwanted behavior. Dogs don’t […]
Wanted: Stupid Dogs
Yeah, Baby Z thinks it sounds crazy, too. But is it really? Think about it. Do you really want Lassie as a dog? I would posit that many people do not – not really. They do not want a dog that could make them breakfast and then wash the dishes afterwards, because that dog could […]
Am I A Monster?
I want to make something crystal clear: I do not hate anyone. There are some methods I don’t like. I don’t like seeing dogs in a pinch collar, a shock collar, or a choke collar. I believe these methods to be harmful to the dog, and to the dog owner relationship. I never like to […]
YOU HAVE TO SNIFF BUTTS FIRST!
The biggest mistake I see people make when greeting a dog is to rush in and touch the dog before the dog has a moment to figure out who they are or what their intentions are. This can be extremely dangerous when dealing with an unknown dog. When approaching an unknown dog you should ALWAYS […]
The Vet’s Office: Waiting Room or Dog Park?
The Vet‘s Office: Waiting Room or Dog Park?.