Be a Consequence Machine
A common misconception about dog training is that it’s all about the “commands”; you have to teach the commands, or else your dog won’t...
Mary and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Neighbor AKA, why I Don’t Use Fear in My Training
I’m going to start this blog post with a story; it’s going to seem like a longwinded, irrelevant story, but I promise I have a point!...
"When can I stop giving my dog treats?"
This is probably one of the top 3 questions I get asked as a dog trainer, and I totally get it! Having to remember to bring treats and...
My Mean Dog
A few weeks ago I was working with Regis (my recovering reactive beagle mix) when we were bum-rushed by an off leash doodle. I know this...
Myth Busting Monday: "Positive reinforcement doesn't work for some dogs."
There are many variations of this myth: positive reinforcement doesn't work for "tough" breeds, positive reinforcement doesn't work for...
We Need to Talk About the F Word
Alright folks. It's intervention time. We need to talk about your use of the "F" word. You've been using it all over the place, and I...
Tips for Owning a Landshark
So, you brought home your new dog and you're excited to get started on training. You lure your dog into a sit, and when his butt hits the...
A Note of Thanks
This past Saturday I spent my afternoon giving a seminar about dog training and behavior myths to a group of dog guardians and dog lovers...
My name is Mary Thompson, I'm a positive dog trainer, and I said "no" today
I did it. It happened today. I was cooking something in the kitchen, and Phoebe threw herself at the door. She had just been out. I KNEW...
My Walking Rules for YOU
"How do I make my dog stay next to me?" "Should I allow my dog to walk ahead of me? Or will he think he's in charge?" "How do I make my...
