The Treat Hierarchy Game We all have our favorite foods, including our dogs. While some dogs seem to want to eat everything, others can be very picky. What they both have in common is that there is at least one treat that they value above anything else. Why is this important? When working with a dog that cowers, growls, barks,…
Just Say “No” to On-Leash Greetings Dogs can be best friends off-leash and suddenly turn to enemies when the leashes are put on. Barking, lunging, and even fights ensue. The same can happen when there is a door or fence between dogs. Believe it or not, this is extremely common. The leash (or even fence) adds tension, changes the dogs’…
Dogs Aren’t Machines. Apart From Missing Mechanical Components, Here’s Why. Comparing the Two Let’s start by considering a car. A finely tuned machine made up of hundreds of parts. Each part, and the final whole, needing to pass rigorous inspections. When I shift into reverse, I expect my car to start rolling backward as I hit the gas. Even as…
To Tug or Not to Tug? Whether it is okay to play tug with your dog is one of the most common questions that owners ask me. They have two main concerns based on myths that we are going to dispel. They must always win, or else their dog will not see them as the alpha. The “alpha dog” concept…
Six Steps to Muzzle Training Teaching your dog to love the muzzle. Please refer to the blog “Changing the Stigma of Muzzles” if you have any concerns about why muzzle training is beneficial. Here are a few important reminders before you begin training: Make sure that you are in an area with few distractions. The crucial part of training is…