Help! My puppy has a rude play style! A client recently reached out with concerns about her five month old pups “over the top” play style. Petunia rushes up to dogs, uninvited, making fast physical contact while standing on her hind legs biting at their faces. Petunia becomes quite activated and persistent in her play […]
How can we help Petunia? Read More »
Understanding your dog’s needs When your dog is on a leash, you may see a change in your dog’s body shape or hear vocalization when approached by an unfamiliar person. The changes in your dog’s body shape tells you how she is feeling. These changes may be dramatic and occur quickly, showing a large change
Understanding your dog’s Sociability Read More »
With Dogs Drake and Jade, my two German Shepherd Dogs, welcomed my daughter’s rescue pup, Ollie, to the family. Ollie is a 10 month old Shetland Sheepdog or “Sheltie”. He is very emotional, noted by his passive, hesitant behavior to move forward. When there is something important to him, however, he becomes pushy and in
Ollie joins the family Read More »
Jade shows a relaxed, confident expression in this photo. This is Jade moments after she recovered from an emotional barky greeting with a scary dress! As Jade and I were sitting on this bench, I noticed Jade close her mouth, narrow her eyes somewhat, and track a women across the road. The young woman had
Purposeful Socialization Read More »
Modern trainers use clickers to train their dogs because it aids in the animals understanding of what is rewardable. The animal quickly learns that when it offers the behavior again, it will be rewarded. This positive reinforcement approach will often cause an immediate “wow” moment for both handler and animal.
The clicker is a small hand-held gadget that emits a sound when you press it. The sound the clicker makes is a signal to your dog that the behavior it just offered is rewardable. This “click” is always followed by a food reward. Think: Click and Treat! Note, the clicker is NOT for getting attention.
What is clicker training? Read More »
To avoid being bitten, always ask a dog to come into your space before you reach your hand out. This way you will know if the dog is interested in engaging with you. If he looks or turns his head away, or growls, he is telling you no thanks.
If you reward someone’s behavior when it is occurring, they are more likely to do that behavior again in the future. I wanted to give you some tips to get your dog to do the behaviors you want without always reaching for the treat bag.
Non Food Rewards to Offer Your Dog Read More »
To change your dogs unwanted habit, you first need to know what your dog loves! Determine a reward that your dog enjoys and is willing to work for. Keep in mind that the same reward may not work for all your dogs. While verbal praise works well for some dogs, it will not work for most dogs.
3 Tips to Changing your Dogs Habit Read More »
Unfortunately a popular reality TV show has captured people’s attention and is talking about dogs as pack animals and again perpetuating the idea of using “calm-assertive energy” (read: fear and intimidation) to resolve issues with problem dogs. Like most “reality” TV shows
by Donald J. Hanson, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA
It was in the September of 2000 that the first version of this article appeared in Paw Prints, the Green Acres Kennel Shop newsletter. I have updated the article ten years later because sadly there are still too many people, some of them animal professionals, and some who try to play the part on TV, promulgating the dominance myth.
Dominance: Reality or Myth Read More »
Does your hound constantly have her nose to the ground? Is your retriever pup a bit too mouthy? Is your Pyrenees, Chow or Catahoula mix acting a bit growly with strangers? Does your terrier like to grab and shake toys? How about your adorable herder? Ever nipped at anyones heels?
Is It Just the Dogs Breed? Read More »
