When We Know Better We Do Better
Learn with us at Lemon's Hope Sanctuary Working with problem behaviors requires more than simply following a protocol. You need to be able to wrap your head around a number of concepts, some that might seem in opposition to each other. The idea that using positive reinforcement to train is a good thing. It has ...
Applied Behavior Analysis
Thank you Dr. Skinner It's common to find in the animal training industry people who either are unaware of the work that has been done in the field of behavior and learning, or who choose not to recognize it. The approach I take to the training and rehabilitation of dogs and other animals is not ...
The Rat Is Always Right
Punishing Mistakes Isn't Fair Why wouldn't animals do what they needed to do, to get what they wanted? One reason is they don't know what to do. Or can't do it. If we see that an animal wants something, but our attempts to get them to do what we want aren't working, we need to ...
How To Get Started Training
Find the joy and delight for fearful, shy, aggressive or reactive dogs I have specialized in the training of dogs with extreme problem behavior for over 15 years. The biggest challenge with these animals is not simply the problem behavior, but finding stuff they love to do, eat, chew, chase (or even roll in if ...
When Behavior Is A Problem
Working with fear, aggression or reactivity To train a fearful or aggressive animal the first thing you need to know is how to make them feel happy, and safe. It’s often obvious what they want, they want you to leave them alone, let go of them, stop touching them. In any training we are going ...
Drive Is A Figure Of Speech
When I think about all the different dog breeds, and the way people talk about them-this breed being more challenging, more driven, more one thing or another compared to others- it's helpful to bring it back to behavior and reinforcement. Different breeds find certain activities or consequences to be more or less reinforcing. When ...
The Concept Dog Trainers Need to Know
In May in Vermont I am presenting two seminars. Understanding fear-based behavior in dogs, is one I am most often invited to present at different venues. It hasn't changed much over the years and that should be attributed to the fact that nothing new about behavior, since I first created the presentation, has changed. The ...
Forget About Stress & Anxiety
First off, sorry. The title was designed to get your attention. We cannot forget about stress and anxiety but rather than focus on those conditions we assume a dog is experiencing, let's get down to the business of behavior. It has been important that people have been encouraged to learn about behaviors that dogs perform ...
The Changing Role & Responsibility of Rescues & Shelters
There may have been a time when schools only needed to be charged with teaching students reading, writing and arithmetic. But as society changes schools become responsible for instruction that either used to be provided at home, or represents a new field of study. When I was in high school we had a choice of ...