6 Ways to Take Fetch to the Next Level
A fun article on playing fetch with your dog by John Gilpatrick Dogs go crazy for fetch. For some, not even an unwatched roasted chicken on the kitchen table can bring as much excitement as the feeling of the breeze rushing through his fur while clasping his teeth around a soft, plush toy thrown to him. “Dogs find playing fetch so fun, in part, because [...]
Cognitive Dog Training
Another forward thinking blog by Pam Hogle. I first started teaching about what I called cognitive dog training several years ago. I didn’t invent it; I simply named what a lot of positive, forward-thinking dog trainers were already doing. Cognitive dog training enlists the dog as a partner in learning; it is not about training so much as it is is about teaching. It’s also [...]
There are no short cuts
A wonderful blog on training short cuts written by one of the masters: Kay Laurence. When we are working with an animal our own needs can direct our choices and decisions. We focus on outcomes and the end goal which is commonly revolves around us. The dog that no longer causes discomfort when pulling their leash, the dog that instantly responds to our demands, the [...]
It is Unwise to Say, “Just Ignore the Problem Behavior!”
Niki Tudge shares some important information about the misguided advice of "ignoring unwanted behavior". Ignoring a problem behavior is just one part of the equation; at the same time, an incompatible or alternative behavior must be reinforced (c) CanStock Photo/websubstance By Niki Tudge Last week, while perusing my Facebook news feed while I drank my morning coffee, I came across a link to [...]
Why Prong Collars Hurt
Thank you Eileen Anderson for writing an informative blog on the physics of a prong collar. Please see additional note at the bottom of the post. Prong collars, also called pinch collars, are metal chain collars for dogs that include links of prongs whose ends press into the dog’s neck. When a dog pulls on leash, moves out of position, or is “corrected” with a [...]
“Naughty” Dog Or Normal Dog?
by Anna Francesca Bradley In spite of the various labels commonly assigned to them, dogs do not deliberately set out to make their s’ lives difficult. Photo: Susan Nilson I’ve lost count as to how many times I’ve heard that Fido is ‘really naughty,’ ‘he’s doing it deliberately,’ ‘he’s trying to spite me,’ or, if an has more than one dog, ‘they’re trying [...]
The Problem with Punishment
Punishment comes at a price. Learn more about this by reading this blog by Anna Francesca Bradley. Punishment generates negative emotions of frustration, anger, anxiety, fear and causes pain; a far better approach is to work with your dog and not against (c) CanStock Photo/adogslifephoto Fortunately today, thanks to force free advocating organizations like Pet Professional Guild, there is much more awareness of [...]
Local Enhancement and Socially Facilitated Behaviors in Dogs
PPG has posted another outstanding blog by Eileen Anderson! If you are dog training geek, be sure to give this a read! This post started out as one thing and transformed into another as I went along, as many of mine do. I have been familiar for a while with the term local enhancement for a type of social learning in dogs. I had some [...]
Marshmallow Tests for Dogs
By Pam Hogle A guide dog partner, Deni Elliott, devised a dog version of the marshmallow test for her guide dog. She administered it to her guide Alberta a few years ago. Alberta did well; she actually did many of the things that children who take the marshmallow test do — she looked away, she distracted herself. She didn’t use her toes as a [...]
Body Language – Your Dog’s Native Tongue
By Susan Claire, CPDT-KA This very fearful dog is showing that he does not want to be approached via his hunched position, flat ears, whites of the eyes and very slight curling of the top lip. Ignore his signals and you may get bitten. Photo: Susan Nilson If you own a dog, then you teach English as a second language. A dog’s native [...]
Service Dog Teams and Continuing Education
by Pam Hogle Photo by Nancy Garrett A few weeks ago, I was part of an amazing experience — the first-ever continuing education weekend seminar for guide dog teams that included trainers and puppy raisers, as well as 80 teams. The weekend was organized by the Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate council. Actually, it was two members of the council and their partners [...]
Choke Collar Pathology
by Daniel Antolec Recently I persuaded a local pet supply store to sell me all his choke collars (at cost) and refrain from restocking them, in return for recommendations for safe body harnesses such as Perfect Fit and Balance. He was persuaded by data I presented to him about the pathology of choke collars.“I never knew they hurt dogs, and only carried them because [...]
