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Frustration in Training
As a dog owner, dog trainer, and human being, I see and experience my fair share of frustrations. When working with clients, I often see frustrated dogs who don’t understand what their owners want and frustrated owners who don’t understand why their dog won’t perform a skill. So, why do Read more…
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Positive Reinforcement Training – Does it Work for the Working Group?
This article was written by Chelsea Murray of Pawsitive Futures Dog Training (www.pawsitivefutures.com) Chelsea offers basic through advanced training, behavior modification and specializes in dog powered sports such as canicross and dryland mushing that she does with her Alaskan Malamutes. Positive Reinforcement Training – Does it Work for the Working Group? Read more…
Positive Reinforcement
Covid Boredom written by guest author Andrea Stone
By now most of the United States is on some form of “stay at home” order. For some of us it’s going on 3 weeks. In my state it’s been one week. Many people are already getting a little stir crazy already, with lots of fun videos and Facebook Live Read more…
Behavior Modification
Introducing the New Puppy to the Resident Dogs
Getting a new puppy is so exciting! All the planning, waiting and preparing come to a head with the bringing home of the puppy. And, while the human family members are excited and prepared, the resident dog(s) in the family may view it differently. Depending on the individual dogs living Read more…
Behavior Modification
Adolescent Attitude Adjustment
Little puppies are so much fun. Before 5 or 6 months puppies tend to be dependent and connected. They are like little sponges who are hungry for more information and this is a great time for learning. When I taught puppy classes people would bring their puppies to class and Read more…
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Should you use food when training a dog who LOVES food?
Very often I hear that someone has been advised that “their dog likes food too much to use in training”. This comment usually comes from a traditional training mentality where using food “appears” to make the dog act wild and crazy for the food, therefore making it unwise to use Read more…
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Why Dogs Bite Kids
This article could just as well have been “Why Dogs Bite People”, but many children are bitten by dogs and the sad truth it is completely preventable. Before we go into it I would like to explain why I feel I am qualified to write this post. First, I am Read more…
Behavior Modification
“I can’t believe he hasn’t tried to bite you”
Over the years as a professional dog trainer and behavior consultant there has been a constant theme of comments that I have received and continue to receive in my work focusing on conformation. I have been told things like, “He never warms up to people as quickly as he has Read more…