Ignore the trainer, what is the dog saying?
Whaaaaat? Did you just come to a dog trainer's blog and do a double-take at the title of this blog? Don't freak out, I haven't lost my marbles (yet!), but as usual I do have a point to make! I had the great displeasure a few weeks ago of being at a pet expo and being placed at a booth next to a trainer who uses shock, choke and prong collars almost exclusively to train, and states that they "don't use cookies to bribe their dogs". These trainers subscribe heavily to dominance
Don't forget to laugh with your dog
My dog Regis is the reason I got into dog behavior and became a trainer. I've always loved dogs, I've always been around dogs, but every dog I grew up with was the stereotypical "good dog". Very easy going, not prone to finding trouble when left to their own devices, and free from behavior problems. Regis is definitely not that. Regis is dog reactive with unfamiliar dogs and very difficult to introduce to another dog. He has also been nervous about guests entering his home, w
Are you the alpha? The answer may surprise you!
When you and your dog are hanging out together, do you ever find yourself trying to figure out if you're the "alpha" in the relationship? If so, take this short test to find out! 1) Are you a human being? -Yes -No -Maybe 2) Is your dog a dog? -Yes -No -Maybe -Acts like a cat, I'm a little suspicious 3) Do you have opposable thumbs and are you in control of pretty much everything in your dog's life? -Yes -Yes -Sorry, only yes's for this one. Regis says "Who you callin' the alp
Decoding Trainer Speak: Figuring out what those labels could really mean
It’s a little known fact that dog training is a completely UNREGULATED industry. That’s right, that living, breathing, feeling creature you call your best friend? Anyone in the world can go online and begin advertising themselves as a professional dog trainer whenever they’d like to regardless of education or experience. And some do. After watching one episode of reality television and teaching their dog how to sit, suddenly they think they’re the next great dog trainer. In t
