Most puppies bite their new owners hands when they are first brought home. There’s no quick fix to this, but understanding why can make a big difference in how well you’re able to shape this behavior into something acceptable. Bite inhibition is a dog’s learned ability to control the pressure they exert while biting. Bite… Continue reading My puppy keeps biting!
I have so many clients who worry about the cue “come”. Honestly, I don’t. It is the first word in our business name, and undoubtedly one of the most important cues in a dog’s life. But we never once address this cue in our beginner class. Don’t mistake me: it is on the test. It is… Continue reading A Foolproof “Come”
Operant Conditioning is a fancy way to say “how animals learn”. Its a scientific theory which has four quadrants, or categories. The quadrants are these: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, and negative punishment. If you want to learn more about those, I suggest employing our mutual friend Google because I haven’t written that blog… Continue reading Your Dog’s Paycheck
Is your dog outside? He’s hot. Its July. It’s hot outside. He has fur. He is hot. If you MUST have your dog outside in this heat (especially if your dog is not accustomed to the heat), please provide the following: DEEP shade. Not 3 inches of shade that he can reach. Deep shade is… Continue reading Your dog is hot.
In October 2016 I was hit on a two lane bridge. The collision was head on, both vehicles traveling 50 miles per hour, and I was in my lane. I have no recollection of the accident or most of the events immediately proceeding or following the Wreck. Both of my legs, both of my knees,… Continue reading The Wreck
Next to crate training, teaching a dog to be quiet is probably the most common complaint I hear from dog owners. I can’t stand a yappy animal myself, so I sympathize. But I adore Chihuahuas, so how does that work? Simple, I ask them to hush. (Ok, let’s be honest, maybe the word I use… Continue reading How to teach “Hush”
Finding the right trainer is one of the most important things you’ll do for your dog and your family. I’ve compiled a list of things to ask, look, and listen for when you’re interviewing trainers. Aversive, harsh methods are proven to be harmful and ineffective in training. (reference) You should to listen for words like… Continue reading What to look for in a trainer
I get a lot of questions about how clients should go about getting a service dog. Most ask for a recommendation for an organization that will pair them with a dog, thinking that this is the first step in their quest. It isn’t. The first stop you need to make on your journey will be… Continue reading How to get a Service Dog
Sometimes our four legged friends just don’t want us to touch them. Perhaps they have always been this way, or maybe they’ve developed an avoidance since a recent trip to the groomer (discuss it with your groomer and seriously consider a switch). Unfortunately, this behavior can put our pets’ health and safety (and yours) at risk. Nails need to be trimmed, teeth… Continue reading Overcoming Avoidance
“Well we tried crate training him. We stuck him in there and we waited until he was quiet. But it only lasted a couple of nights and then now he just barks and howls and I’m not sure I can stand it anymore. I don’t know what else to do.” Does this sound familiar to… Continue reading Crate training
