Living With Two Dogs – Training Challenge #1
I’ve had a problem with making instructional videos lately because while I’m working with one dog, the other is whining because he hears the clicker and doesn’t have access to rewards! So in my spare time I found a minute to video tape our very first session of working with both dogs at once. They…
“Ushering in a New Era of Gun Dog Training”
It is my pleasure to announce a brand new organization which has chosen to promote positive and dog-friendly training methods to educate and influence their field. The Positive Gun Dog Association has just launched their organization as well as an amazing interactive membership site for enthusiasts/owners, hunters, positive trainers, and breeders. Oh, and it’s FREE!…
The Ethics of Training Methods
A friend recently asked me to read this article and give some thoughts on it: The Relativity of Pressure. Well, I had a “thought” for about every other sentence I read so I figured I’d turn it into a blog post! Here are my thoughts on the ethics of dog training methods: How should we…
How Calming Signals Opened My Eyes VERY Wide
When I crossed over last year to positive training, one of the biggest “ah-ha!” moments I had was when I learned about calming signals. I wondered how I could have been so blind to them all along as they made perfect sense! See my first post “A Guide to Calming Signals.” I had been a…
Puppy Show Dog Practice!
As many of you found out recently, I added a big character to my little family. Clark is a Cardigan Welsh Corgi and ever since I got him in January, I’ve done my best to take him places and meet lots of people and dogs. One of the things many people forget about when they…
Guest Post: Service Dog Training Transition
About a month ago I received an email from one of my readers that said I just wanted to thank you for this site. I am crossing over. I am blind and am on my third guide dog. I received my first two from a program. They were lovely dogs, but they taught using training…
K9 Nose Work
Since I got Clark, my new Cardigan Welsh Corgi puppy, I have noticed the powers of nose work. So far, he is still searching for food. I have not transitioned him to any specific scents yet. The other day I had some packaging paper left over and I thought I’d let the dogs have some…
Arousal Levels in Dogs
After a recent seminar by Suzanne Clothier, I’ve really been reflecting on how arousal plays a role in behavior. I had not really thought about it before. I have seen lots of people use play as a reward for correct behavior. Suzanne has really made me question my choice in raising arousal levels. One of…