dog behavior

Fixing What Ails You

By |2013-08-09T07:59:59-04:00August 9th, 2013|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

It seems that many of us go through our lives trying to make something better or fix something that we hold responsible for our troubles. Years ago I was traveling with a couple of friends. One an ex-housemate who I enjoyed and laughed with, the other, his girlfriend was a friend only the most superficial of ways. We worked at the same place and we ...

Want Some Candy Little Girl?

By |2013-05-11T08:56:49-04:00May 11th, 2013|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , |

One of the often misused techniques for getting new behaviors from fearful dogs is luring. And the most often used lure is food. Besides being unfair, it can backfire, big time.The unfair part of it is that dogs need to eat. It's one thing to bait a trap to catch a dog and count on the dog's hunger to be motivating enough to get them ...

Support Systems

By |2013-03-30T09:34:19-04:00March 30th, 2013|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

There is so much progress that needs to be made in regard to how people "think" about animal behavior and training that it can seem overwhelming. But seven years ago I had to seek out and search for information regarding the most humane and effective ways to help dogs with fear based behavior challenges, whereas today it streams on my Facebook page and twitter account. ...

Force-Free Trainers! Just Keep Talking!

By |2012-10-30T12:29:23-04:00October 30th, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

There are plenty of professionals who are routinely frustrated by the beliefs held by their clients or potential clients. Researchers studying climate change are likely among them. Humans are complicated creatures. On one hand we seem to be capable of stunning thoughts. Whether in the arts or sciences, we can come up with remarkable ideas. On the other hand, we are also bound by a ...

Stockholm Syndrome?

By |2012-10-02T10:28:32-04:00October 2nd, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , |

I was reading a post in The Crossover Trainer Blog and was struck by the implications of this comment made about her observation of Cesar Millan at his 'Dog Psychology Center'. "........He walked in with me and one could definitely sense he had an effect on the dogs. I concede he does have “something” about him that effects the dogs. " Not sure why there is an implied ...

A Rose By Any Other Name?

By |2012-08-26T10:05:14-04:00August 26th, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Is this a dominance hierarchy or bunk bed? They say a rose by any other name is still a rose, unless if you're naming it 'tulip' I won't know what you are describing. We may both understand that you are talking about a flower, but if you are ordering a dozen roses and ask for tulips you'll be in for a big surprise ...

Alternate Route Available

By |2012-05-31T13:42:25-04:00May 31st, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , |

I learned to drive in Boston. I'm proud of this fact because it means I can drive almost anywhere in the world and be unfazed by the culture of the roadways. In Boston the use of directional lights is often an afterthought and don't even think someone will slow down enough for you to change lanes and get to your exit in time. One must ...

Put A Muzzle On It

By |2012-05-24T10:55:42-04:00May 24th, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , |

In the contest of who dislikes the thought of putting a muzzle on my dog, I'd come in a close second to the dog who has to wear it. That is unless I think about the alternatives to not wearing one. A muzzle is not an excuse to put a dog into situations in which they're inclined to bite a person or another dog, but ...

Words that make me go hmmmmm….

By |2012-04-19T14:03:42-04:00April 19th, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , , |

Dogs trainers are veterans when it comes to hearing- "I tried that, it didn't work." This is often spoken by a client or potential client who after finally contacting a rewards based trainer explains why they don't use food rewards. Their immediate assumption is that because they handed a few treats to their dog, and didn't see an immediate change in the dog's behavior, using ...

Would you get on that bus?

By |2012-04-07T10:10:05-04:00April 7th, 2012|Categories: Dog training, Helping fearful dogs|Tags: , , , , , |

Professional dog trainers often seem like a touchy bunch. There's little we don't have an opinion on, and a strong one at that. When someone seeks advice on the best way to market themselves as a 'dog trainer' boasting of little experience other than growing up with a dog or training their own family pets, it might be best to either step away or put ...

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