One of the most misunderstood aspects of dog training is this: dogs do not automatically generalize behaviors. When a dog learns something, she connects that behavior to the specific context in which it was taught — the location, your body position, the environment, even what you are wearing. If you teach a lie down [...]
When I started behavioral work over 20 years ago, I used humane methodology. My first client was a Dachshund with food aggression and guarding. At the time, I was stunned to learn that the majority of trainers were using punitive techniques such as punching dogs, yanking them with prong collars, "helicoptering" them — hanging [...]
Puppies go through major developmental changes quickly. They need calories and good nutrition for physical and mental health. All puppies should be able to eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. Exercise, how much mental and physical stimulation the dog has, and stress all contribute to how well a dog [...]
Ear-cropping and tail-docking are two commonly accepted practices often considered "breed standard." However, the process of ear-cropping and tail-docking is not humane, nor is it necessary for health. For tail-docking, tails are chopped off, usually with surgical scissors, when the puppies are newborn. This is because a newborn puppy's cartilage is still soft. Removing [...]
Passive learning is inherently how dogs learn, 24/7. Understanding how to implement passive dog training effectively will open new doorways of communication for you and your dog. Passive dog training is wonderful for dogs with all sorts of personalities, especially for dogs who are fearful or traumatized, including aggressive and reactive dogs, and for [...]
At times, I do use the clicker and have taught with it. This is how I started. Initially, in 2003, my human students learned how to use the clicker to teach their dogs and the dogs learned how to respond to it. In my FAQs, there is a brief reason for why I don’t [...]
Should you make your dog sit before giving anything such as affection, dinner, treats, opening doors, or putting on and taking off leashes? This is often part of a "no free lunch" training strategy. I’m not a big fan of "Sit," nor do I use it often—mostly, because dogs already know how to sit [...]
Christmas is around the corner and the New Year is approaching. You might be thinking about some New Year’s resolutions to start off 2019. Here are a few ideas for making your dog happier. Start passive training. Reward your dog for behaviors you like — without giving a command. Passive training is happening all [...]
Essentials Before Bringing Home a Puppy. Toy Bin A toy bin is a must. It should be large, wide, and shallow, and your puppy should have access to all the toys. Include plush toys, rotate them, and keep them varied. The toy bin should be a “centerpiece” or placed in a prominent, obvious location [...]
If you have a dog who gets overly excited and jumpy when you attempt to clip on the leash or put on a harness, try some of these tips. These tips can also help if your dog excitedly or submissively pees, cowers, or backs away when you reach for him or try to [...]
