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Tag: dog behavior

“Normal, Or Not?” class starts today

“Normal, Or Not?” class starts today

Just a reminder! FDSA classes for the December term start today, so don’t forget to sign up if you’re interested in taking something. I will be teaching my “Normal, Or Not?” class again this term, all about behavior problems in dogs. Topics covered include: – Distinguishing normal vs. abnormal behavior – The difference between training issues and pathological behavior problems (and why it matters!) – How medical issues can impact behavior – Common behavior modification techniques and how they work…

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Announcement: Upcoming webinar on anxiety disorders in dogs

Announcement: Upcoming webinar on anxiety disorders in dogs

Hi all! A quick announcement – I will be hosting a webinar tomorrow evening (Thursday, 3/31) through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy about anxiety issues in dogs. Full description and registration link are below. **Note: you DO NOT have to attend the webinar live, if it doesn’t fit with your schedule.  As long as you’re registered, a recording will be available for you to watch at your convenience.  But, you do need to make sure to register BEFORE the webinar…

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Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 2

Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 2

Welcome back!  Today, we’re going to plow ahead with our discussion about how to help fearful or aggressive dogs feel more comfortable with visitors.  If you missed my previous post on this topic, you should probably go back and give it a quick look before reading further, since today’s discussion will build on that. Last time, I talked a bit about how I normally interact with fearful dogs when I do home visits.  In today’s post, I’m going to outline…

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Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 1

Scaredy Dogs and Strangers – Part 1

Today, I want to talk about dogs who are afraid of visitors.  This is one of the more common behavior issues that I’m called to help out with – but fortunately, it’s also a relatively easy one to address, in a lot of cases!  For today’s discussion, I’m going to go through how I normally approach these visits to help make the dog feel comfortable.  We’ll also talk a bit about the training plan that I typically give owners to…

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Announcement: Upcoming Webinar on Vet Visits For Aggressive Dogs

Announcement: Upcoming Webinar on Vet Visits For Aggressive Dogs

Hi all! A quick announcement – I will be hosting a webinar this evening (Thursday, 3/12) through the Fenzi Dog Sports Academy about making veterinary visits easier for dogs with aggression issues, or who might otherwise have behavioral “special needs” at the vet’s office. Full description and registration link are below. **Note: you DO NOT have to attend the webinar live, if it doesn’t fit with your schedule.  As long as you’re registered, a recording will be available for you…

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Why “Sit” Happens: Cues Vs. Consequences

Why “Sit” Happens: Cues Vs. Consequences

Today’s topic is one that you might not have ever given much thought to, but it has more impact on your training than you might think!  What makes behavior happen?  Or to put it another way… why does your dog sit, when you say “sit!”? (Or if he doesn’t sit… why not?) That might seem like a rather esoteric, theoretical question at first – but actually, it has some pretty significant implications for how we train our dogs in the…

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From “STOP IT!” to “Good pup!” – Problem Solving With Alternative Behaviors

From “STOP IT!” to “Good pup!” – Problem Solving With Alternative Behaviors

Hey there, gang.  Today, it’s time for another installment of “problem solving at Dr. Jen’s house.”  (For another example of this, see my previous post about my dog Clint, and his habit of launching himself at the TV.  Still doing great with that, by the way!) Note that today’s post is not going to be especially profound or poetic.  It may not change your life.  Sometimes dog training *can* be profound and poetic, but sometimes it’s just finding a user-friendly…

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Keep It Simple, If You Want To!

Keep It Simple, If You Want To!

A couple of years ago, I did a behavior consultation for a young hound mix I’ll call “Tilly.”  As behavior issues go, her main problem was fairly benign.  She didn’t bite family members, lunge at other dogs, or destroy the house when her owner was gone.  Rather, she had a tendency to get excited – very, VERY excited – whenever the doorbell rang, or someone new entered the house.  Putting on her leash for a walk or car ride, or…

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Why It’s Hard Being Tiny And Cute

Why It’s Hard Being Tiny And Cute

Today, I want to talk about little dogs.  I was at a client’s home a few weeks ago, doing a behavior consultation for their adorable two-year-old Maltese mix.  “Chloe” had a tendency to get over-aroused and begin barking, jumping, and nipping over seemingly benign activities like family members putting on their coats, loading the dishwasher, or using their exercise equipment.  Chloe was a friendly dog who hopped happily onto the couch to greet me as soon as I sat down,…

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Show Me The Money: Why Your Dog Doesn’t Listen, Unless You’re Holding Food

Show Me The Money: Why Your Dog Doesn’t Listen, Unless You’re Holding Food

Today, I want to talk about one of the most common struggles I see with my behavior clients and their dogs.  Often, they’ve been through a basic obedience class or two, and their pup has learned a few skills.  But when they try to apply them in real life, they quickly run into a road block: “Buster is so stubborn!  He only listens if I have a treat.” Or, more broadly in casual conversations or online discussions: “You know, that’s…

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