My favorite session so far! Those of you who have met me, know I love to help the shy, fearful, and aggressive dog. While working as a dog handler for Grisha Stewart’s BAT workshop, I now have new tools to use to help these insecure and reactive dogs. BAT looks at the function of growling, […]
Day 4 – Behavior Adjustment Training – BAT Read More »
Trainers often teach a dog to focus on their handler by using a “watch me” or “look at me” cue. Once this is well conditioned and can be performed without distractions, we can teach the dog an “Auto watch.” Trainers use this behavior when desensitizing dogs to scary stimuli. For example, maybe your dog barks
Alternate Behavior Read More »
Our Small Dog Socialization class has been growing so I would like to enhance the format for each participant. Many small dogs become reactive on the leash and are difficult to walk in the presence of an unfamiliar dog or people. This may be the result of poor socialization, bullying behaviors, genetics, dominant aggression, fear
New Small Dog Leash Lungers Class Read More »
I cannot tell you how many times I have asked my teenage daughter to finish her summer homework. “Later” was the response I received many times. I realized she needed motivation! Knowing she would soon be asking for a new school outfit, I offered to take her shopping once her homework was complete. Funny
Relationships based on Motivation Read More »
Too many people believe you must dominate or be the Alpha dog in the home to co-exist happily with their companion pet. You may have heard that in order to prevent your dog from becoming dominant that you had to: 1) always go through doorways first, 2) always eat before your dog, 3) never allow the
Do you need to dominate your dog? Read More »
The one area I believe we as humans confuse our dogs, is on the use of our voice to reward our dogs behavior. I find myself repeatedly asking dog handlers to use their voice as a reward so their dog knows they have done something right. I firmly believe, if you reward a behavior when
Using Your Voice as a Reward Read More »
Sadie is in a stay at Back Cove What are we actually doing when we repeat a cue/command to a dog? If you think about it, we are desensitizing the dog to any meaning the word has. I recommend you ask your dog two times, then do something different if he did not comply, like
Alex asking Annie to let go of the ball. I do not believe our dogs are trying to dominate us, yet they learn over time what they can get away with. Sound like some children you know? Just like children go to the parent who is most lenient, dogs quickly learn who will follow
I appreciate everyone who attend my Rescue Information Night at Tender Touch! It was nice to put a face to the many cyber net names:) I believe we all have our hearts in the same place and all want the best for as many homeless dog as possible. I hope you all enjoyed your time and learned something new to try
Rewarding Rescue Information Night! Read More »
Did you notice your dog chose to potty on the deck, patio, or step with this latest snow storm or rainy day? Many dog owners feel this setback in behavior with potty habits even in older dogs. Rain is simply a negative reinforcer to some dogs, in other words, they want to avoid it, hence
