Bark For Life Bug Light Park, South Portland May 19 2013 11:00 Registration Opens – Participants, Survivors & Caregivers check in. 11:45 – Noon Opening Ceremony Noon – Walk Begins with the Survivor & Caregiver Lap around the park (both 4-legged and 2-legged) Participants will join in the 2nd lap A variety of beautiful walks are available […]
Are you in the process of training your dog? Maybe conditioning new behaviors in a puppy or rescue dog, or maybe you are trying to correct an unwanted behavior. I believe our dogs learn by watching us or simply being with us, more than listening to us. With your dog on a retractable leash walking
They’re Watching You Read More »
New puppy owner’s may be unaware of the importance of Puppy Socialization Class. Puppies have a “Critical Period” in which they should be exposed to a variety of environments, noises, smells, strangers and, of course, friendly dogs. Without this process the puppy will grow up to be limited to where he can go and who
Puppy Socialization Classes Read More »
While working with a private client and her pup this week, she repeated herself many times by saying, “she is so smart”, “I had no idea my dog was so smart!” The funny thing is, I hear this from many clients when teaching their dog a new behavior. When pet owners learn to teach their
Positively Rewarding Read More »
I recently attended a Behavior Clinic where we taught our dogs new behaviors using a technique called shaping which is where we rewarded our dogs for making the slightest attempt at the behavior we wanted. What I LOVED about this training seminar was that everyone was happy, smiling and really positive as they changed their
Many dogs are afraid of other dogs, men, strangers, children, loud trucks, bikes, scooters, skate boards, odd scents, noises, and many more stimuli. I have spent the last 10 years helping my own dogs and many others live happier, less stressful lives. The first thing you need to realize is that you are not alone!
When a dog is repeatedly frightened by the same stimuli, and is not ever given a chance to think and feel differently about this stimuli, you will likely see the same reaction long term to this stimuli whenever it presents itself. Systematic Desensitization and Counter Conditioning is the process of learning to think and feel
Have a Plan When Changing Behavior Read More »
I try not to sound like a broken record, but I do continually hit home the fact that the environment is training your dog. Specifically, the environment is shaping your dogs behavior in small successes each day, each minute. Why is this important? If your puppy barks frequently to get your older dog to interact
Behavior is Shaped by the Environment Read More »
Simply wanting your dog to respond differently to sights and sounds is not enough. In the last Blog, I talked about having a plan, going slow and being in a good emotional place yourself. Please keep in mind, when your dog becomes afraid or anxious his emotional state is responding to one or more triggers
Changing Your Dogs Emotional Response Read More »
When changing your dogs behavior or habits it is best to go slow and keep it simple. Changing habits takes time and while the process may seem overwhelming at times, remember small successes are a big deal! Steps to changing your dogs behavior: 1. Make a plan, put it in writing, including specific detailed goals
