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“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 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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Mean Dogs Wear Muzzles! (And Other Misconceptions)

Mean Dogs Wear Muzzles! (And Other Misconceptions)

All right, gang.  Today, we’re going to be talking about muzzles. This is a topic that’s been on my mind a lot lately.  As a veterinarian in general practice, I often need to briefly muzzle dogs for medical procedures – which can occasionally be upsetting for owners.  And with my behavior clients, I often suggest using muzzles as a management tool for certain situations that might otherwise be risky for the humans or other dogs involved in our training plan. …

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If At First You Don’t Succeed, Do Something Different

If At First You Don’t Succeed, Do Something Different

When my dog Remy was a puppy, many years ago, I set about teaching him a sit-stay. As any trainer can attest, this is usually a fairly straightforward exercise.  I was still in veterinary school at that time, so I had less training experience than I do now – but as a student assistant in OSU’s puppy kindergarten classes twice a week, I had taught dozens of pups the basics of how to sit and stay without any difficulty. My…

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Why Ignoring Bad Behavior Doesn’t Work

Why Ignoring Bad Behavior Doesn’t Work

For today’s topic, we’re going to delve a little deeper into an oft-repeated myth about positive training.  Namely, the idea that in order to train a well-mannered companion, you need to do two things: Reward what you like, and ignore what you don’t. Seems easy, right? Chances are, if you’re a dog owner, you’ve heard some version of this mantra somewhere along the way – from a well-meaning friend or neighbor, perhaps, or in an online training group.  And really,…

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