I am happy to announce that Portland, Maine has an official Chapter for the Pets for Vets Program and I am the official trainer of the canines for this wonderful program. I will be assessing, training and matching dogs with Veterans in need of a companion dog. Tom Targett, Chapter Director is to be recognized […]
Pets for Vets Program Launched here in Portland, Maine Read More »
When I introduce a new rule structure to my dogs or to my clients dog, I make sure good things happen when the dog performs the wanted or desired behavior. We can all agree that consequence drives behavior in all of us, but I really want you to think of the consequence as a positive
Good Things Happen… Read More »
When you bring your puppy home, you want to raise him or her to be the best Family Dog possible. We all have good intentions when raising a puppy, however there are some mis-guided and uneducated people who will tell you that you need to dominate your dog so they respect you. This is not
Puppies First Impressions Read More »
Many clients ask; “How do I train my dog?” First and foremost, to train a dog, you must have the dog’s attention! Can you get your dog to sit for one minute without a leash on? If so, then you have already learned how to get your dogs attention — wonderful! If not, then I
Due to the Greely High School Girls Softball State Championship Game at 11 held at St. Joseph College my class schedule for Saturday June 15th will be as follows: 8:00 am Recall Class NO CHANGE9:00 am Manners Class NO CHANGE10:00 am CU moved to 2:30 pm at Poetic Gold Farm11:00 am Outdoor Adventure moved to
Saturday June 15th Class Schedule Read More »
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 »
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 »
