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Attitude is Everything, My Positive reinforcement philosophy
There’s always a lot of discussion, or fighting sometimes, about ethics, ethos and methods like positive reinforcement and punishment in the dog training world. So much that it can become difficult to know what’s right or who’s talking the most sense. Right now...
Why comparison sucks, except when it doesn’t
"Comparison is the thief of joy" is attributed to several people including Theodore Roosevelt, which probably means it was someone else. Regardless of who said it first, I think I agree mostly. It probably depends on how you are doing the comparison. For most people,...
Reasons dog trainers get better results than the average dog owner
We aren’t magic. Much as that would make our lives easier. But that’s a good thing because it means that anyone can learn to do what we do. Dog trainers get better results, or results more efficiently, because we've honed our skills over the years. The only reason it...
How to achieve easy living with your dog
I live with three spaniels currently. At one point I lived with two German Shepherds, a saluki and two spaniels. I always felt I should even things up with another sighthound. But didn’t want to seem like a crazy dog lady. I often get asked "how do you manage?", but...
Living with a Dog Behaviour Problem Means Honouring the Dog You Have
Living with a dog behaviour problem is by definition challenging for us. If we didn't find the behaviour difficult to live with we wouldn't define it as a problem. Our dogs are individuals with an entire set of genetics and learning histories that make them into who...
Why Teaching a Collar Grab Might Save Your Dog’s Life
How I Lost My Dog Recently I lost Flint, my working cocker spaniel. Actually, I hadn’t entirely realised I lost him before he reappeared. Teaching the collar grab was the reason I got him back so quickly. I was moving equipment for Thursday night classes from my back...
How Start Button Behaviours Can Improve Your Training
Start button behaviours can really help you power up your training. They are especially helpful for dogs fearful of certain stimuli like noises or vacuum cleaners. They are also useful for procedures where we need to do something to our dog like grooming or putting on...
Living with an old dog is hard
You’re preparing to say goodbye knowing that in all likelihood you’ll be the one to decide when. It’s been over 4.5 years since I put my beloved Khanu to sleep. I still miss him every day. I often cry whenever I think about him. Yes, that means I cry over him a lot....
Dog Training Lingo: What’s the Difference Between Habituation, Desensitisation, and Counterconditioning?
You’ve heard the terms habituation, desensitisation and counterconditioning but you’re not sure what they mean or why each one is important. They seem to be flung about with abandon and sometimes combined and it’s all a bit confusing. So what do they actually mean? At...
Dog Trainer, Dog Behaviourist and Veterinary Behaviourist: What’s the Difference?
You know you need some help with your dog but you’re not sure exactly who to ask. There seems to be a lot of choice and it’s just not clear what the difference is between a trainer or a behaviourist--and you’ve just found out there are veterinary behaviourists, too!...
The 5 Best Places to Practise Dog Training at Home
You don’t have to go far to have places to train your dog. We spend the majority of our time at home so it makes sense to start there. There’s also far more to training your dog than the normal sit and down. More useful things to teach our dog are ways to behave in...
How to Make Sure Your Dog and Kids Stay Friends During Lockdown
We are all having to stay at home for extended periods of time and our routines have completely changed. It’s difficult for everyone, not least your children who now can’t see their friends. Your dog is now having to contend with a complete shift in their world and...
Why Social Distancing Will Help You Socialise Your Puppy
We're in lockdown. No hanging out with our friends. No catching a live band. No eating at your favorite restaurant. So how the hell are you going to socialise your puppy when you're not allowed to be social? Here's how. 1. Let them watch and learn Puppies need to...
Creating Calm During Covid-19 with Enrichment
We are all limited in how often we can leave the house during lockdown. No doubt you are mostly combining your once a day exercising allowance with the daily dog walk. Some days though it just isn’t possible. You feel guilty because your dog isn’t getting out and...
In an instant – everything changed
If that title had you wondered whether I'd finally gone all woo woo, you'll be glad to hear that no, I haven't. There has been no huge revelation for me, or at least not in the way that these stories usually play out. But we have had a sudden change in our lives. We...
What are your training goals for 2020?
I know, I know. Telling people your goals for your dog's training for the upcoming year smells very much like new year resolutions and we all know they suck. But I'm going to do it anyway. Why? Because accountability. Although I suspect my goals this year are pretty...
Why the John Lewis Christmas advert is a lesson in dog training
Have you seen the new John Lewis advert with the little dragon who can’t control his fire? Cute isn’t it? If you haven’t seen it yet you can watch Excitable Edgar who loved Christmas a little too much below. https://youtu.be/r9D-uvKih_k Edgar reminds me of a lot of...
What to do when your dog is being stubborn
You know when you've asked your dog to do something and he has point blank refused so you ask him again, and again, and again........and eventually he does it. Stubborn dog. Stubborn owner I say. From a training point of view there are a lot of things to think about...