This is my favorite tongue twister. “Generalization”. So. Many. Syllables. Honestly though, it is a word I use almost daily. It is defined as “a general statement or concept obtained by inference from specific cases”. In training we use it as an indication of an animal’s understanding of a concept or cue. For instance, training… Continue reading Generalization
I have so many people ask me what we teach in beginner obedience class. Group classes vary slightly from class to class, but private lessons are world apart. I’ve decided, for my convenience more than anything, to make a list of cues we teach in beginner obedience class and their meanings if needed: Sit (Lay)… Continue reading 15 Beginner Obedience Cues
Potty training is easily one of the most frustrating aspects of living with a dog. I didn’t say “puppies” for a reason. There are a lot of circumstances under which you can find yourself living with an adult dog who has no idea how or where to potty. Most shelter dogs over a year or… Continue reading Potty Trainng
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
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
