“With every interaction you’re building trust or eroding it.” No matter how small the interaction, one or the other is happening. I ask my clients to keep this in mind when they’re training their dogs or when they’re spending any time with their dogs. Are you willing to erode trust to get what you want or can you see how … Read More
Be the place of safety for your dog
I often use an analogy to describe how we, as dog guardians, need to be the safe place for our dogs no matter what is happening in the environment. Imagine you’re on flight and trouble starts to occur – turbulence, an engine fire, or a threatening passenger. When it happens, the actions of the flight attendant is going to be … Read More
Leash walking dogs: overstimulation or decompression?
You’ll often hear me talk about ‘decompression’ leash walks for your dog or as they are referred to in the training world, ‘sniffari’ walk. But are you really decompressing and helping your dog or building up so much dopamine and oxytocin that you’re doing more harm than good? On a recent camping trip, my dog Louie had no off leash … Read More
Stop asking your reactive dog to Sit!
“I make him sit and try to get him to look at me”. I’ve heard this statement a hundred times from clients and potential clients that are working to help their dog’s noisy and upsetting behaviour on leash. Their dog is barking or leash pulling/lunging, and they are trying to get their dog to sit and watch and be calm. … Read More
Welcoming a new dog to the family
I’d been watching a Doberman mix on the SPCA website for a couple of months and talking with the staff about his needs and issues. April 1st I adopted ‘Lucas’ with the intention to work with him and then rehome him this summer because his issues, as they were described, were preventing him from finding a forever home. Lucas is … Read More
Pressure on +R Dog Training: Don’t give in to it.
In 2001, I wasn’t as knowledgeable about dog behavior as I am now or as confident so during a visit with a friend’s dog, a dog that had gone after my puppy on more than one occasion, I caved into the pressure of others around me; I allowed the dogs to visit without me in the vicinity. What I thought … Read More
Egos, Choices and Mirrors
‘Its just behavior’ she says! Working with dogs for many years, I’ve experienced allot of behavior that I could have taken personally. From humping, lunging, nipping and outright jaws clamping on my arm to ignoring me completely. Through all of it, I’ve never taken offense to these behaviors because dog behavior is neutral to me; its just behavior. My responsibility lies in how … Read More
Moving through the grief
Still moving through the grief of letting Sadie Mae go. 6 weeks since I’ve become dogLESS. Taking 1 day at a time as I’ve done with the passing of all my dogs. However, the most notable difference this time: no other dog to distract me. No excited greetings when I come through the door. No whining, shoe carrying, wiggly butt to … Read More
Puppy Nipping: Normal & Not Personal Pt.2
In my last post, I talked about how to get proactive to help yourself and your puppy get through the nipping stage that ALL puppies go through. This stage in a pups life is a very short one but getting through it can tax even the most patient person so setting yourself up for success just makes sense and involves … Read More
Premack Principle: Give the dog what he wants in order to get what you want!
The Premack Principle Definition: more probable behaviors will reinforce less probable behaviors I love the Premack Principle. I’ve really taken to applying it to Sadie Mae’s training and teaching my clients to use it in their own dog’s training regime. It might be a little hard to understand at first but when you see it in action, its easy … Read More
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