Dog Training is Dog Teaching

If you’re reading this, you can thank a teacher. Someone taught you how to read when you were younger. They provided you with an important skill that’s expected in our society. In fact, another person taught us most of what we know and do.  The same applies to dog teaching. So, it’s surprising that so […]

Teaching Your Dog to Give Up a Prized Possession

Teaching your dog to give up a prized possession willingly in return for something superior is an important skill.  Teaching your dog to “trade” helps your dog stay happy and comfortable. This is especially true when you approach her while she’s enjoying something she really likes. It also prevents her from feeling stressed for fear […]

A Barking Interruptor – The Quiet Cue

I received a call this week from a couple whose only complaint about their dog was her incessant barking. I could tell they were frustrated. They used the phrase “driving us insane”.  They also shared how much they love her and what a wonderful companion she is. This is a call I receive multiple times […]

If I Could Only Teach ONE Thing to My Dog – Targeting, Part Two

In my first article on targeting you learned that targeting teaches your pet to touch an object with a part of his body. Dogs are most commonly taught to target an object with a nose or paw; but using shoulder, chin, or EYES are very useful (Oh wow! Could ‘focus’ be considered a type of […]

The Box Step – Prelude to Loose Leash Walking

Have you ever considered how terribly hard it must be for your dog to walk slowly, on leash, in a straight line beside you? We get lots of requests about to get a dog to stop pulling when on leash.  The answer is the box step. Think about it. When have you EVER seen a […]

It’s Shocking I Didn’t Know | Shock Collar

It’s one of those things you don’t know, what you don’t know, until you know. As a force-free trainer my focus is on solving training and behavior issues through the use of Positive Reinforcement. I hope my former personal experience with using electronic shock with underground fence/shock collar systems may help others.  Pet owners should […]

If I Could Teach Only ONE Thing to my Dog | National Train Your Dog Month

National Train Your Dog Month exists to promote training for the family dog, and the good news is that training can be FUN and BENEFICIAL for both you and your dog! Training doesn’t need to be long or complicated. In fact, studies have shown that your student’s learning actually benefits from shorter sessions, consistently sprinkled […]

Be Your Dog’s Advocate | What to Consider

Be an advocate for your dog. Have you ever stopped to think about what it means to “be an advocate for your dog”? Merriam-Webster defines advocate as “one that supports or promotes the interests of another.” As a professional dog trainer, I’m always encouraging my clients to be advocates for their dogs. To me, this […]

Why Do We Train Our Dogs?| What to Consider

Here we are at the start of a new year. How did we get here so quickly? In this past year, I’ve had the privilege of working with some amazing people and their dogs. Sometimes, however, even with amazing people and amazing dogs, things don’t go as planned. Oftentimes a dog comes into the home […]

Dog Management & Training – The Dynamic Duo

Dog Management & Training | Oh those well-known duos we often speak about – peas and carrots, salt and pepper and wine and cheese just to name a few. I particularly love that wine and cheese duo! In the world of dog training “management and training” is the quintessential dynamic duo and I think most […]