Why Do People Give Away Their Dogs?
What are the main behavioral reasons people give away their dogs according to the HSUS? There are several studies on this topic, but the general causes are: 1.) Hyperactivity; 2.) Barking; 3.) Destructiveness; and 4.) Failed Housetraining. When you look at that list, what seems to be the overall common issue? It sure looks like […]
My Viewpoint On Raising A Dog
I have 5 Primary Intentions when raising a dog: to 1.) Properly stimulate a dog’s brain; 2.) Interest a dog in spending time and enjoying social activities with people and other dogs; 3.) Extend a dog’s interests beyond its basic physical wants; 4.) Teach valuable communication skills; and 5.) Teach a dog a higher level […]
Companion Dogs
My specialty is working with companion dogs. My students get dogs to be companions. They are treated well and treated as family members. Most people get dogs to be companions, however, that’s not how it works out for many dogs. I got my first dog as a companion. She went everywhere with me… vacations, work, […]
Pavlov Wasn’t A Dog Trainer
Have you ever engaged in a dog training conversation when someone said, “well, the science says”? I’ve seen a lot of that stuff over the years. I confess, I have said stuff like this, as well. However, when discussing training methods, we first must ask what is the quality of the evidence? Almost all the […]
What Does Your Presence Predict To Your Dog?
How’s your relationship with your dog? For most people, the relationship with their dog needs improvement. Good dog training is personal. Mediocre dog training is mechanical. Poor dog training is reactive and punitive. I ask my students, “is your presence centrifugal or centripetal?” in other words, are you driving your dog away from you (centrifugal)? […]
Sadness And Depression From The Loss Or Death Of A Dog
The mourning from losing a pet, whether through abandonment, escape, rehoming, or death is usually difficult and painful. It is also concerning when the mourning results in pathological defensive coping responses, especially when it involves children. Healthy mourning is directly related to pet loss and goes through a process starting with distress and ending in […]
Why Socialize Dogs?
What is the purpose of socializing dogs? Why is it important for a puppy to meet many friendly strangers, other friendly dogs, go in a wide variety of places and be exposed to a wide variety of environmental stimuli? Here is a simple way of looking at the value and purpose of socialization. Think of […]
Healing Dog And Human Relationships
Living organisms have built-in mechanisms to repair damages and restore health. Healing is usually referred to as a biological process that results in recovery from a disease or other injury. Healing also refers to other biological processes that result in recovery from psychological injury. When dogs or humans are physically injured, we usually assist the […]
Why Are Private Dog Training Lessons Best?
Dog training programs typically fall into one of the following categories: group classes; board and train; and private lessons. There are two significant obstacles which prevent making significant changes in a dog’s behavior, and these are best overcome through a private lesson program. LOCATION: The first obstacle is where the dog lives. Where a dog […]
Separation Anxiety And Destructive Behavior In Dogs
Dogs are often destructive chewers when suffering from Separation Anxiety. Owners, and many dog trainers, tend to use a variety of punishments to attempt to stop the chewing. But these punishments never work. That’s because they misunderstand what is going on. One of the most important traits of a good dog owner is empathy for […]