Blog
(Mostly Archived)
Timing is absolutely critical
One of the best ways to improve the efficiency of your training is to really work on getting 'clean clicks'. Clean clicks are properly timed and are done in a way that the dog is ONLY getting information from the click not from your hand entering the treat pouch...
Books, Books, Books
First, a piece of business: Registration for my Mind Your Manners Class will CLOSE tomorrow!! If you would like more information on the Mind Your Manners Class, you can read this blog post from a few weeks ago. If you would like a registration form, please email me at...
JW Hol-ee Treat Ball–Review
The other day I went to a big-box pet store to use a gift card I had been given. I had no idea what I was going to get. I figured I'd load up on a few plush toys since this particular store doesn't carry food I use. I brought Shayne along and she worked BEAUTIFULLY in...
Wordless Wednesday
I must say that Shayne is making friends easier and easier these days, even with other female dogs. This past weekend we got together with our canine friend Meika for some off-leash romping and there was not a single snarky moment! AWESOME! All three after playing at...
Social Pressures for Perfection…
Social Pressures for Perfection... Who would have thunk that peer pressure would have such a drastic effect on dogs. No, I'm not talking about dog-dog peer pressure, I'm talking about the pressure that GUARDIANS feel from society. Friends, family members, strangers on...
Exercise your dogs…
but don't OVER exercise your dog. Yes, you heard that right, you can absolutely over exercise your dog. For as often as I suggest that people need to increase the exercise for their dogs, I have at least the same number of dogs who need to, not necessarily reduce, but...
Oh no a ____ stuck in a tree!!
Why yes.... Rio is stuck in a tree. Okay, he's not stuck in THIS tree, he got down no problem but he does have a history of getting up into a tree and not being able to get down on his own. It is a little sad just how many pictures I have of Rio climbing trees. You...
Having food =/= compliance
It is quite the pet peeve of mine that people have such an issue with using food to train behaviors. I once heard a crazy irritating comment by a person with an out of control boxer/lab type dog. I had Shayne at some event and was using treats to reward desirable...
Pop-culture labels are not terribly helpful
Labels Are Not Terribly Helpful I have to say, that the experiences I had and the work I did while earning my Bachelor's with a concentration in Psychology and my Master's in Education are way more relative in my training career than most people expect. The...
An Observation of Prong Collars
I KNOW this may ruffle some feathers but I really did make an interesting observation this past weekend. I went to a HUGE canine event with Rio and my friend Monica (a KPA trainer) with her dog, Delta. This is an event for a greyhound rescue that is probably the...