4 Ways to Calm Your ‘Winter Stir Crazy’ Dogs and Get a Better Partnership
Having wild, pent-up dogs could be a really good time to work on some important skills that’ll come in handy now AND later. So, think of it as a blessing in disguise! lol Seriously? You probably think I’m crazy, reading my quote. (and, I’m not sayin you’re wrong!) 😉 Here’s Why: The Dogs: Can […]
How to Be Your Dog’s Super Hero … without All The Overwhelm and Stress
Do you ever feel like you need to have super powers … … or be like a juggler, simultaneously managing six different fragile objects that cannot be dropped? It can be exhilarating and sometimes exhausting, right? We have these important roles that we fill in our dog’s life, and I believe that having clarity and understanding about […]
Cognitive Dog Training: Small Changes = Big Rewards
Have you ever noticed how we are really attracted to BIG rewards? I mean, who would seriously step over a $10 bill to get to a penny? Would you? What if I told you that the $10 bill is a one time deal, end of story. And the penny was the start of a trail […]
One Dog’s Transformation from Trash to Treasure
When I adopted Maya, she had been labeled as ‘untrainable’ by her 3 previous homes, and was ready to be put down because of it. You may know my sweet and sassy Maya…or you may know of her story. She is quite a gal, with a jaded history. 😉 She was kicked out of […]
Does Your Dog Love You … Or Just Your Treats and Toys?
How can you successfully train your dog…AND get your dog to love being with you more than anything else? As positive trainers, we know that all living things repeat behaviors that are rewarding…including our dogs! So, to effectively teach your dog, you need to reward behaviors that you like by rewarding your dog with things […]
Are You the Real Cause of Your Dogs Lack of Focus?
How can you have a communication ‘Dialog Loop” with your dog that gets your dog focused on YOU, instead of being distracted, reactive or worried…automatically, with no training? Let’s start with this question: what exactly is “communication”? Good communication is the successful exchange of information, ideas and feelings Let me repeat that: the EXCHANGE of […]
Are You the Right Kind of Leader for Your Dog?
How can you be the RIGHT kind of leader for your dog …without being punitive, and without having to be a non-stop treat or toy dispenser? One of the core philosophies of my work is that Dogs thrive when being guided by clear, consistent leadership that provides a framework to live by. There’s a […]
How to Help Dogs with Fear of Thunder and Fireworks
It’s that time of year. If you have a dog who is afraid of thunder and fireworks, you know just what I’m talking about. Panic, pacing, panting, drooling, running away. Those are some of the symptoms that tell you your dog doesn’t appreciate the beauty of mother nature’s storms or the city’s annual fireworks display. Should […]
The Biggest Myth About Dog Training
Is “training” REALLY the best solution for a misbehaving dog? Or … is it the one thing that should be SKIPPED? I think back to my very early dog training classes where I was so wowed by how easy it was to shape behaviors in my dogs … and how amazing my dogs were in class. […]
Why you should Stop Training your Dog … Until You Read This…
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. -Helen Keller You’ve heard the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan? Helen was struck by a fever as a toddler that left her in a dark, silent place … “blind, deaf and dumb”, according […]
The Joy and Struggle of Life with Dogs
Learn how to get more joy and a lot less struggle with the 5 Steps to a Brilliant Partnership with the Dog You Love.
What To Do When Your Dog or Puppy is Afraid of Something (and What Not To Do)
It all starts with the best of intentions. We want to do our best to make sure that our dog is well socialized and can cope with all the interesting (and sometimes scary) things that are encountered in life. Things are going great…until, one day, your puppy encounters what must be a dog-eating monster. uh-oh. […]
