Arson Dogs
For more than 12,000 years, dogs have worked alongside humans. They have herded our livestock, hunted with us, and pulled us across otherwise impassable frozen expanses. Most modern dogs are companions, of course, but those who do work have ever more extraordinary job descriptions. Accelerant-detection is one example. Arson dogs work with fire investigative units […]
The Expectations Game
In our ongoing adventure of companionship with dogs nothing trips us up quite as much as our own unrealistic expectations. Dogs who don’t do as they are told? We think them willfully disobedient, stubborn, or, worst of all, slow on the uptake. We overestimate their attention span and level of emotional control. We think they […]
Sibling Rivalry
All dogs squabble occasionally. Dogs who live together mostly get into scraps over stuff they both want: Food, bones, toys, human attention, and sleeping spots. Like us, they have individual preferences and moods, and might be having a grumpy day or a headache. If the fights don’t result in injuries (i.e. you’re not at the […]
How to Teach Your Pet to Target
Picture the Possibilities Imagine teaching your dog to put his hind feet—just his hind feet—on a mat. Or, imagine teaching your cat to give a high-five. What if you could teach your dog to use his nose to ring a bell to go outside? These fun and useful behaviors are all examples of targeting a […]
Speak Softly and Carry a Bigger Stick
Sometimes, when you’re searching for the perfect reinforcer to convince a dog to drop or otherwise part with a high-value item, you needn’t look any further than the item itself. Recently, I was working with a client who was having some difficulty convincing his teething 4-month-old golden retriever to relinquish sticks in the yard once […]
Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer
Finally—summer is officially here! We know you are ready, but is your dog prepared? The ASPCA recommends these tips for ensuring that your dog is safe and happy during the hot weeks ahead! Visit the Vet. A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets […]
To Crate or Not To Crate?
A Bonus, Not a Penalty Many people refuse to crate or kennel-train their dogs because they feel the confinement is cruel. However, a crate or kennel can give dogs a sense of security. Crate training done properly is also a highly effective management system that can be a lifesaver for dog owners. Like any training […]
Reducing Leash Reactivity: The Engage-Disengage Game
Many dogs struggle to stay relaxed when they see another dog, a person, or a specific environmental stimulus, and end up reacting with an intense stress response. Stress responses can be categorized into fight (such as barking, lunging), flight (such as avoiding, hiding), freeze (such as cowering, shutting down), or fool around (such as jumping, […]
Stubborn?
When your dog is resisting doing something you want her to do, do you think/say “she’s just being stubborn” or “she just doesn’t mind!” Well, if that’s the case, maybe what’s really happening is that you haven’t clearly communicated to your dog what it is that you want her to do. And have you made […]
Courtesy and Politeness
Ask your dog about petting; he will tell you “Yes” or “No” as demonstrated in this video by trainer Grisha Stewart.