What does it mean to be a positive reinforcement dog trainer?
I recently came across a tiktok video of a trainer who claimed to be "training" a dog, when in reality she had a very distressed dog on a...
Should I play tug of war with my dog?
Tug of war is one of those topics in the dog world that carries a lot of "baggage" with it. It's been a hotly debated topic for a long...
Motivational States Matter
"Motivational states make our animals more or less likely to perform certain behaviors"
Congratulations On Becoming Employee of the Month!
We have been so impressed with your work ethic and commitment to your job, we could not have done all of this without you! To show our...
"But I Never Had to Give My Other Dog Treats!"
This is sometimes my client's response when I explain that we'll be using food as the primary motivator during our training. They're...
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...
"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...
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...
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...
"Treat training? Won't my dogs get fat?"
One question that I frequently get from clients is about their dog putting on weight when I discuss using food to train. Many people are...
