A Reliable Rocket Recall: Teach It, Train It, Practice It….and Practice Some More!
At our most recent Play in the Pasture session, an off leash, outdoor social for clients and their dogs, my girl, Willow, joined in the fun. In addition to the the socialization experience of helping her to continue to enjoy the company of a variety of other dogs, I also use the time to practice Recall. Over […]
Hot Dog! Let’s Leave It.
One of the more useful behaviors a dog can learn is to leave things alone when asked. Dogs and especially puppies, explore the world with their mouth. Leave It is one of the very first exercises I began working on with Willow when she joined our home. The cue, Leave It, as a finished behavior […]
Wait, it’s important!
Nothing like having a new puppy in the house to remind you how many things a dog needs to know to live happily in our human world. Oh the things that Gibson knew that I had trained and eventually took for granted and the things Willow does not yet know. There’s a big gap. The […]
Puppy Prep 101
Written on February 27, 2012 As I write this I’m thinking about tomorrow and am giddy with excitement because tomorrow we’re adding a new puppy to our home. There’s nothing like a puppy to spice up one’s life! But bringing a new pup into your home should be done with much forethought and preparation….no snap […]
Beware of Superdog Syndrome
There’s a menacing problem in the pet dog world and I’m going to attempt to do my best to keep this from happening again in our own home. Yes, it occurred once 3 years ago….January 31, 2009. The truth is, a great many dogs are affected by this syndrome, including many of our clients’ dogs. […]
Clients Applying Class Exercises to Real Life!
On Facebook a few days ago, we posted some information about the polite greeting work Linzy & Bob have been doing at home with their lovely Lab, Buck. They were kind enough to send an email about their success and include photos. Talk about positive reinforcement for us trainers! Linzy & Bob are in our […]
Guilty Dog?
by Lisa Lyle Waggoner A couple of videos have recently been making their way around the internet purportedly showing dogs looking “guilty.” One video, aired on Good Morning America, was of a Lab “looking guilty” after having been accused of eating her way into a bag of cat treats. It’s very, very unfortunate that Good […]
Barking Dogs, Caterwauling Cats & Attention
I’m continuing to enjoy the attention training which is the first foundation behavior in the Canine Freestyle Course in which I’m currently enrolled. Last weekend, I took the practice outside for the first time. Nothing like a barking dog and caterwauling cat to provide some distractions. In reality, I think the cat was more of a […]
A Little More Attention Please
I took the canine freestyle foundation behavior training into our home today. I just didn’t want to drive to the training center and I felt as if Gibson was more than ready to begin working on duration of attention with some distractions…..our four furry felines. Only a three of them were present with Grayson asleep […]
FETCH – Animal Assisted Interactions Class Vies for $5K Grant
Hat’s off the Animal Assisted Interactions Class at Tri-County Community College! They’re doing their utmost to bring their FETCH Program (Fun Exercising Together for Children’s Health) to reality. Yesterday, about 20 of us met at the Cold Nose College Training Center so Chasing Destiny Films could shoot a video in support of the class mission. […]
