There’s No App for That!
As “National Train Your Dog Month” comes to a close again this year, I’m reviewing the comments and questions below our daily Training Tip posts on Facebook. The overwhelming majority of comments were positive and the questions gave us great ideas for future posts. Thank you to everyone who participated. There were a few […]
Lollipops & Dog Training, Where the Two Meet
It comes as a big surprise to our clients when we ask them not to talk to their dog during a training exercise. Believe it or not, dogs don’t come with an English software package installed. We have to teach them our language. Oh certainly, they easily learn our body cues (even when we don’t intend for […]
What is a Cue?
As trainers using only force-free training techniques, our clients are always puzzled when we talk about “cueing” a dog. We use the word Cue instead of Command. Why, you ask? Command implies that if the dog doesn’t do what we ask, something dire will happen. In force-free training, if the dog doesn’t perform the behavior I merely […]
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 […]
Life after Death, Grieving the Death of a Dog
It’s my first, multi-day road trip with my new sidekick, Willow. We’re in Asheville, North Carolina readying ourselves for a Steve & Jen White training workshop at A Good Dog’s Life. It’s a very yin yang kind of trip. Blissfully wonderful having Willow here with me and painfully sad because the last time I was […]
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 […]
