Dog Memory Problems, Fear And Aggression
I have worked with many dogs that never recognize certain people, regardless of how many times they have met. They will sniff and react to them on every encounter as if they were strangers. This can be quite frustrating when you live with a dog that acts as if it doesn’t recognize someone in the […]
Stoned Apes And Wolf Dogs
There is a theory that claims humans evolved from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens because of the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms. There are also several theories that claim that dogs evolved from wolves because of hanging around human garbage dumps. Garbage in, garbage out. A lot of what is called “science” these days are happy […]
Rescue Dog Mysteries
I like a good mystery movie. I would classify the Harry Potter series as from a mystery genre. At the beginning, you know something is going on and a deeper secret underlies the childhood innocence. What’s with that scar on his forehead? Only until the very end of the last book do you finally understand […]
Is Your Dog Socially Compatible?
Imagine how it feels to your dog if it doesn’t have anything to offer to social situations or tasks, to not be accepted by people and not have any useful skills to offer. In other words, what is it like if your dog is a misfit? The easy dog, the social and trained dog, finds […]
Manners For Your Dog
Training a dog doesn’t just mean teaching your dog to do this or that in a vacuum. I want my students to select what Manners they want their dogs to obey, to establish a good relationship that fosters good Manners, and then ensure those Manners are consistently rewarded. It is important to be direct with […]
Establishing Good Dog Training Habits
Part of my job as a dog trainer is to help dog owners develop good habits to replace their bad habits. This is another reason why I don’t support board and train programs. A lot of what you do, or don’t do, with your dog causes the behavioral problems your dog exhibits. If your dog […]
Environmental Enrichment Or Training For Shelter Dogs?
This morning, I went to look at a dog that is being boarded at a local animal shelter. I was invited by a rescue organization to meet with one of their volunteers and work with him a bit. The volunteer came equipped with several new toys and some treats. We were ready. When we went […]
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, […]