IN PRAISE OF PRAISE: THE TEN TENETS OF TRAINING
By CHRISTINE TILP
initial consultation, I go over some basic “rules”
one of them.
of dog training and the importance of praise is
one of them.
More
initial consultation, I go over some basic “rules”
one of them.
of dog training and the importance of praise is
one of them.
More
| HIDE, SEEK! GAMES TO PLAY WITH YOUR DOG |
By LAURA GARBER
We all know that breed characteristics were developed for the breed’s intended work:
Greyhounds were bred to hunt by sight, Bassets and Beagles to hunt by scent, Retrievers
to retrieve and swim, Terriers to rout out the hiding places of small game. Breed mixes
carry the inherited traits of each of the breeds, to a greater or lesser degree.
More
We all know that breed characteristics were developed for the breed’s intended work:
Greyhounds were bred to hunt by sight, Bassets and Beagles to hunt by scent, Retrievers
to retrieve and swim, Terriers to rout out the hiding places of small game. Breed mixes
carry the inherited traits of each of the breeds, to a greater or lesser degree.
More
| WHEN BABY COMES ALONG.... |
By PIA SILVANI
One of the greatest concerns of couples starting a family is wondering how their dogs or
cats will react to the new babies. In many cases, a pet has been the spotlight of their lives
and the center of their attention. With a new baby entering the picture, the pet’s daily
routine and life will certainly change.
Babies, rarely, if ever, present a threat to pets, but will the pet be a threat to the child? The
following are some myths, facts and tips to help you help your pets to welcome the new
addition to the family:
More
One of the greatest concerns of couples starting a family is wondering how their dogs or
cats will react to the new babies. In many cases, a pet has been the spotlight of their lives
and the center of their attention. With a new baby entering the picture, the pet’s daily
routine and life will certainly change.
Babies, rarely, if ever, present a threat to pets, but will the pet be a threat to the child? The
following are some myths, facts and tips to help you help your pets to welcome the new
addition to the family:
More
| THE FEAR FACTOR: OVERCOMING PHOBIAS |
By PIA SILVANI
Afraid? Everyone knows what it feels like. We’ve all been there at one point in our lives.
Whether it’s dropping 100 feet in the air after hitting a pocket of turbulence, standing up
on stage speaking to 500 people or stepping into a snake pit. We all feel it differently,
depending on the situation. But, how do dogs feel fear and can they “get over it?” We’ll
never really know HOW they “feel” it, but fear-related problems can often be treated with
great success. However, if the triggers are not identified and you attempt the “oh, get over
it treatment plan” the problem can be exacerbated.
More
Afraid? Everyone knows what it feels like. We’ve all been there at one point in our lives.
Whether it’s dropping 100 feet in the air after hitting a pocket of turbulence, standing up
on stage speaking to 500 people or stepping into a snake pit. We all feel it differently,
depending on the situation. But, how do dogs feel fear and can they “get over it?” We’ll
never really know HOW they “feel” it, but fear-related problems can often be treated with
great success. However, if the triggers are not identified and you attempt the “oh, get over
it treatment plan” the problem can be exacerbated.
More
| WHEN CONFUSION IS NOTHING NEW, BE CONSISTENT |
By BETH BRADLEY
One night while I was teaching an Intermediate Training Class one of my clients’ just
blurted out a question: “How do you do that?” I had no idea what he was referring to and
looked at him quizzically. I had been working a dog in class which was the same dog I
had in class the week before. My client continued, “That dog was a mess last week and
this week he is calm and obedient.”
I never really answered the question but I pondered it through the night. The next day I told
my partner Lorry about the conversation and without thinking she answered the question,
“You don’t confuse the dogs when you are training them so they learn from lesson to
lesson.”
More
One night while I was teaching an Intermediate Training Class one of my clients’ just
blurted out a question: “How do you do that?” I had no idea what he was referring to and
looked at him quizzically. I had been working a dog in class which was the same dog I
had in class the week before. My client continued, “That dog was a mess last week and
this week he is calm and obedient.”
I never really answered the question but I pondered it through the night. The next day I told
my partner Lorry about the conversation and without thinking she answered the question,
“You don’t confuse the dogs when you are training them so they learn from lesson to
lesson.”
More
| KEEPING YOUR SENIOR PETS IN GOOD HEALTH |
By PIA SILVANI
Just as it is important for we
humans to remain busy during
the latter part of our lives, a
sound mind and body are crucial
for aging pets. Because pets
don’t think about such things,
it is up to you to help Rover or
Mittens identify and engage in
activities that will keep them fit
both physically and mentally.
As the number of candles on
your pet’s birthday cake mounts, a few tips will help to ease the transition into canine and
feline senior citizenship.
More
Just as it is important for we
humans to remain busy during
the latter part of our lives, a
sound mind and body are crucial
for aging pets. Because pets
don’t think about such things,
it is up to you to help Rover or
Mittens identify and engage in
activities that will keep them fit
both physically and mentally.
As the number of candles on
your pet’s birthday cake mounts, a few tips will help to ease the transition into canine and
feline senior citizenship.
More
| AGILITY: MORE THAN JUST TEACHING YOUR DOG TO JUMP |
By BETH BRADLEY
The first widely-documented appearance of dog Agility was as entertainment at the Crufts
Dog Show (England) in 1978. The demonstration immediately intrigued dog owners
because of its speed, challenge and the dexterity displayed by the dogs. People wanted to
see more, and indeed wanted their own dogs to be able to participate. The demonstration
was so popular that it went on to grow into local, then national, and eventually
international, competitions with standardized equipment.
More
The first widely-documented appearance of dog Agility was as entertainment at the Crufts
Dog Show (England) in 1978. The demonstration immediately intrigued dog owners
because of its speed, challenge and the dexterity displayed by the dogs. People wanted to
see more, and indeed wanted their own dogs to be able to participate. The demonstration
was so popular that it went on to grow into local, then national, and eventually
international, competitions with standardized equipment.
More
| PLEASE, PLEASE, DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE! |
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| YOUR DOG'S POST HOLIDAY BLUES |
By BETH BRADLEY
Happy New Year! The holidays are finally over and life is back to normal. The kids are
back to school, you are back to work and the dog is in shock because he is all alone.
Dogs are pack animals and as pack animals it is innate within them to want to have
others around them. In the wild, that is their canine pack but in domesticated animals, that
is you and your family. Even older dogs go through stress at being left alone after having a
couple weeks of company and activity. Under normal situations your dog might be fine
being alone but now that they have had company for some time, the stress of being alone
seeps back into their minds.
More
Happy New Year! The holidays are finally over and life is back to normal. The kids are
back to school, you are back to work and the dog is in shock because he is all alone.
Dogs are pack animals and as pack animals it is innate within them to want to have
others around them. In the wild, that is their canine pack but in domesticated animals, that
is you and your family. Even older dogs go through stress at being left alone after having a
couple weeks of company and activity. Under normal situations your dog might be fine
being alone but now that they have had company for some time, the stress of being alone
seeps back into their minds.
More
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| More Articles |
By PIA SILVANI
We routinely get frantic calls from desperate owners who are at
their wits end, not knowing what to do. They love their pets but
can’t continue to live with dogs that are destroying their homes.
“He’s got separation anxiety” is what we trainers typically hear.
Perhaps, but not necessarily.
Separation anxiety occurs when an animal exhibits symptoms of
anxiety or excessive distress, especially when left alone. The
most common behaviors exhibited by dogs are digging;
chewing and scratching at doorways, windows or moldings in
an attempt to escape; excessive vocalization; urination and
defecation (despite the fact that the dog is housetrained) when
the owners are gone; drooling, panting and pacing.
More
We routinely get frantic calls from desperate owners who are at
their wits end, not knowing what to do. They love their pets but
can’t continue to live with dogs that are destroying their homes.
“He’s got separation anxiety” is what we trainers typically hear.
Perhaps, but not necessarily.
Separation anxiety occurs when an animal exhibits symptoms of
anxiety or excessive distress, especially when left alone. The
most common behaviors exhibited by dogs are digging;
chewing and scratching at doorways, windows or moldings in
an attempt to escape; excessive vocalization; urination and
defecation (despite the fact that the dog is housetrained) when
the owners are gone; drooling, panting and pacing.
More
| BECAUSE WE CAN'T SAY IT ENOUGH: REPETITION, REPETITION! |
By BETH BRADLEY
Repetition goes hand in hand with preventing confusion. The only way a dog is not going
to be confused is if the handler, trainer or owner repeats the exercise enough times, using
the same words and/or commands, so the dog understands what his expected response
should be.
For example, if I am teaching a dog an automatic sit from the heel position, I take about
five to ten steps forward, slow down, stop, bringing my left foot to my right, and command
the dog to sit. I do this repeatedly until the dog is beginning to sit before the command is
given. At that point I stop saying the sit command and just stop, knowing that I practiced
enough for that session, that the dog knows he must automatically sit.
More
Repetition goes hand in hand with preventing confusion. The only way a dog is not going
to be confused is if the handler, trainer or owner repeats the exercise enough times, using
the same words and/or commands, so the dog understands what his expected response
should be.
For example, if I am teaching a dog an automatic sit from the heel position, I take about
five to ten steps forward, slow down, stop, bringing my left foot to my right, and command
the dog to sit. I do this repeatedly until the dog is beginning to sit before the command is
given. At that point I stop saying the sit command and just stop, knowing that I practiced
enough for that session, that the dog knows he must automatically sit.
More
| INSIGHT INTO THE SMALL DOG |
By PIA SILVANI
Small dogs can exhibit
a variety of behaviors
that are quite different
from those of their larger
counterparts. Many
small dogs tend to be
excitable, sometimes
noisy and often energetic.
More
Small dogs can exhibit
a variety of behaviors
that are quite different
from those of their larger
counterparts. Many
small dogs tend to be
excitable, sometimes
noisy and often energetic.
More
