New Content
BARKS Podcast with Rosie Robinson of Wuf Design
Join Niki Tudge and PPG Canine Committee chair Judy Luther as they Chat and Chuckle with Rosie Robinson of Wuf Design in the UK about websites, lead generation, Google, and so much more.
Rosie offers support from simple sites to full on e-commerce and has the digital solutions to ensure ...
Tracking Equines
By Vicki Conroy
A while ago I hosted a tracking workshop for dogs at my hobby farm in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, hosted by Margaret Keast of Jigsaw Dog Training and ...
Switched Off?…Time to Switch Back In
How often do you feel you really connect with your dog? I mean really? Do you feel that you understand how she feels? Do you recognize that things have changed? For example, maybe healthwise ...
Latest Articles
Pet Professional Guild announces scholarship program for members to further force-free education
Eligible candidates can apply for educational opportunities that support PPG's stance on avoiding the use of aversive methods and equipment in animal care and training
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - Jan. 17, 2017 - PRLog -- The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) is to provide a limited number of scholarships ...
Words Matter
By Don Hanson BFRAP CDBC ACCBC CPDT-KA
Dog lovers use a variety of words when talking about their favorite subject. Sometimes we use a word because it is it is the only one we know, or sometimes we use a word out of habit, even when we know there is a better choice. That is why, as our ...
PPG Publishes Open Letter to Veterinarians on Referrals to Training and Behavior Professionals
Expresses concern that, in an unregulated industry, pet owners may be referred to individuals who do not use scientific protocols or adhere to the premise to do no harm, regardless of credentials
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - Jan. 16, 2017 - PRLog -- Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has published an ...
Pet Professional Guild Announces New Look, Innovative Educational Events for 2017 and 2018
Conventional annual summit in Orlando, Florida will be supplemented with practical, multi-species behavior and training workshops in Kanab, Utah
WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. - Jan. 9, 2017 - The Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has announced the dates and location of this year's annual summit, as well as ...
Pet Professional Guild Releases Position Statement on Pet Correction Devices
Pet Professional Guild Press Release
Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has released a new position statement on so-called “pet correction devices” that are used for the management, training and care of pets. PPG does not recommend such devices and the move comes as part of its ongoing mission to ...
Natural vs. Contrived Negative Reinforcement
I read the following online the other day:
People shouldn’t object to the use of negative reinforcement! It’s just stuff like washing my hands when they are dirty or drying them when they are wet. What’s wrong with that?
This is a fairly common defense of using negative reinforcement (R-) in ...
Countering The Aversive
Some pet dog trainers that are either using aversive methods or some that call themselves “balanced”, and use a combination of both aversive approaches and food rewards, may carry the notion that positive reward based trainers are against them personally, or that are looking to have them ...
Proper Education, Not Faulty Legislation For Pet Dog Trainers
The profession of companion, or “pet” dog training is one that requires little more than the willingness to do it and promote oneself. There is no licensing required.
Let me state right up front that given the appalling lack of education and the major divisions among pet dog trainers, there ...
No More Henrys
A headline a few weeks ago caught my eye: PetSmart, groomer are sued in death of dog. Obviously, this should never happen. Reading the article just made me sad, and angry.
The dog, Henry, a year-old dachshund, went to the groomer to get his nails trimmed. He emerged, bloody, with two broken ...