Browsed by
Tag: dog behavior

Stressed Or “Disobedient” – Can You Tell The Difference?

Stressed Or “Disobedient” – Can You Tell The Difference?

When my dog Remy was very young and just getting started in agility, we were enrolled in a weekly class at a local training center in Columbus.  (This was during my vet school years.) Every week, the dogs practiced jumping, running through tunnels, climbing over A-frames, and running basic sequences of obstacles so that we could practice our handling maneuvers.  Remy liked agility, and he was a fantastic worker – as long as there were treats involved, he was laser-focused…

Read More Read More

Educational Opportunities For The Human End Of The Leash

Educational Opportunities For The Human End Of The Leash

For today’s post, I want to switch gears a bit and highlight some awesome ways that you can delve deeper into the nitty-gritty details of dog training and behavior – for those who are so inclined. From time to time, I have readers contact me to ask my thoughts on the best way to become a professional dog trainer.  I also have readers (and in-person students!) who simply find themselves fascinated with the science of how dogs learn, and how…

Read More Read More

Invisible Fences: Do or Don’t?

Invisible Fences: Do or Don’t?

Today, I want to discuss a topic that I (and every other dog trainer I know!) get lots of questions about. Are “Invisible Fence”-type containment systems a good idea, generally speaking?  Or, would this be a reasonable choice for your particular dog? Now, first things first. I want to acknowledge at the outset that this this can be a hot-button issue for many dog owners and trainers, with strong feelings on all sides – and that’s perfectly okay.  It’s fine…

Read More Read More

Are You Training Or Complaining?

Are You Training Or Complaining?

My youngest dog, Clint, is a three-year-old Sheltie. He’s a perfect dog in almost every way.  Friendly and sweet, never meets a stranger.  He loves to run agility and strut his stuff in the show ring, and is also a fantastic cuddle buddy for rainy days on the couch. However – he does have one unfortunate habit that I want to talk about today. Like many dogs, Clint is fascinated by the sight of other animals on the TV screen. …

Read More Read More

Vet Visits For Aggressive Dogs: A Case Study

Vet Visits For Aggressive Dogs: A Case Study

Today, I want to tell you a story about one of my favorite patients. Hudson is a 13-year-old Border Collie mix – very handsome, with a long fluffy coat and bright, intelligent eyes.  Like most dogs, he adores his family.  He’s getting a bit grey in the face now and he doesn’t see quite as well as he used to, but he’s extremely smart and his nose works just fine.  His favorite hobbies include snuggling on the couch with his…

Read More Read More

No, You’re Not Being Silly: Your Dog Matters Too

No, You’re Not Being Silly: Your Dog Matters Too

Several months ago, I had a conversation with a client during a behavior consultation that stuck with me.  I wanted to address it here today, because I think it’s a secret worry for lots of dog owners – and it really shouldn’t be! The client in question had recently adopted an 8-year-old Lab mix I’ll call “Joey.”  He was a sweet, friendly dog in most situations, but she had some concerns about his behavior around her grandkids – he was…

Read More Read More

On “Fixing” Behavior Problems: Reachable Goals and Wishful Thinking

On “Fixing” Behavior Problems: Reachable Goals and Wishful Thinking

As part of my job, I spend a fair amount of time talking on the phone with potential clients who are interested in scheduling a behavior consult.  We talk briefly about the dog’s issues, the owner’s main concerns, and how the consultation visit works. Most of these people are good owners who love their dogs, and genuinely want to know how to help them.  Not surprisingly, many of them are also somewhat desperate for a solution – a dog with…

Read More Read More

The Truth About Treats: Why Do We Use Them In Training?

The Truth About Treats: Why Do We Use Them In Training?

Today, I want to talk about a topic that seems to provoke a fair amount of consternation among students in my beginner obedience class.  Namely, this: Why do we have to use treats? This is a reasonable, and very common question – and so, I will do my best to shed some light on this subject in our discussion today.  If you’ve ever wondered this yourself, or asked your obedience instructor why you need to bring a baggie full of…

Read More Read More

Nuisance Behaviors And “Naughty” Dogs: Whose Problem Is It, Really?

Nuisance Behaviors And “Naughty” Dogs: Whose Problem Is It, Really?

“My Prissy is such a bad girl!  She always jumps on visitors as soon as they come in, even if her paws are muddy.” “Buster drags me down the street every time we go for a walk!  He obviously thinks he’s in charge.” “My puppy won’t stop chewing on things – she destroyed my favorite pair of shoes last week!  I think she does it on purpose.” “Charlie insists on barking at everyone who walks by the house, even though…

Read More Read More

“Can I Pet Your Dog?” Why It’s Always Okay To Say No

“Can I Pet Your Dog?” Why It’s Always Okay To Say No

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely young border collie I’ll call “Sami.”  She was a beautiful example of a well-bred herding dog – quick, keenly intelligent, and fit and graceful at just over 12 months old. Her owner brought her in for a consultation with me because she was having, as she put it, “some issues with Sami around strangers.”  Things had seemed to be fine for the first few months after bringing Sami home…

Read More Read More