Are ‘Free-Shaped’ Dogs Better Problem Solvers?
A look at the criticisms of lure-reward training by Carmen LeBlanc MS ACAAB CPDT. First published in BARKS from the Guild, April 2014, pp. 12-18
Most professional dog trainers have heard about criticisms of lure-reward training in recent years. These criticisms have been made along with ...
When Choosing a Dog Trainer, Buyer Beware!
Written by Leah Roberts
Originally posted in 8/27 2010
Before 1981 when Dr. Ian Dunbar developed the first Sirius Puppy Class, training wasn't recommended for puppies under 6 months old. The only training methods available at the time involved physical force using training tools such as ...
What Dog Training Really Taught Me
Image credit: Yvette Van Veen of Awesome Dogs. Please see full credit and sharing info at the bottom of the post.
One of Many Examples
This reinforcement/punishment combo is very common and easy to fall into, because of ignorance about how learning works, but also because of the unwillingness ...
Don’t Stop That Behavior, Quit It!
In my “previous life” when I was a fitness and wellness trainer, I would coach my clients to making healthy choices. I learned back then about motivation, about what it takes to set a goal, but more importantly, I learned which goals are the kinds that will stick for the long haul and which ...
It’s All About Relationships.
I became a dog trainer to facilitate the relationship between dogs and humans. My goal was to create a relationship based on trust and understanding. By opening the lines of communication, I felt like I could achieve my goal of keeping more dogs in their homes and educate people about ...
May Your Bowl Always Be More Than Half-Full
Can dogs be optimists? Pessimists?
Many people see dogs as natural optimists. After all, dogs are very loving and amazingly forgiving of human foibles (and worse — just look at all the mistreated dogs who still love humans). Many dogs greet every stranger as a new best friend. And some dogs ...
The Curious Case of the Haunted Room
Sometimes, however many questions we ask, it's impossible to get to the bottom of just why a dog has developed a "weird" behaviour.
We can see the current antecedents, but what caused it to kick in originally?
In one of my recent behaviour consults I arrived to see a dog totally spooked by ...
Cooperative Towel Drying Your Dog – Part 2
We introduced you to Cali the Jack Russell Terrier, one of our great clients, in a previous post. Cali is a true testament to the power of positive training and the resilient nature of dogs.
Cali, did not like to be touched. She would bite people, when they tried to touch her. She also did ...