I think everyone agrees that reward-based dog training is a good thing. Rewards in dog training are the pay that the dog gets for performing the behaviors we want from them. High value rewards are invaluable in training. So, can reward-based dog training go wrong? When we begin to train a dog, we definitely want to use rewards. The food …
Coronavirus and Dogs
With the near hysteria over the novel coronavirus affecting humans we’re hearing a lot of rumors about pets and this respiratory disease. Here’s the truth about Coronavirus and dogs. There is a coronavirus that affects dogs but it is not the novel coronavirus infecting people right now. In dogs the coronavirus is a totally different thing. Per Petmd, canine coronavirus …
What to do with a Bad Dog
One of the most common problems I hear about from clients is that they don’t what to do with a bad dog. The owners shout commands or tug on the leash or shove them in the crate hoping the pup will somehow start to behave. It won’t. Your dog needs help to focus itself and you need to know what …
When Should I Bring My Puppy Home?
People who are getting new puppies are often uncertain about when to bring their puppy home. Some people advocate bringing pups home at 8 weeks and others at 12 or even 16 weeks. There are even some who tell you to bring your puppy home earlier than 8 weeks. Here is some advice to help you answer the question, “When …
Purely Positive Dog Training
One of the biggest debates in the dog training world right now is this. Can dogs be fully and reliably trained using only purely positive dog training methods. These methods are also known as force free training. My answer to that is a resounding “No!” Purely positive dog training does not work. I may upset a few people but it’s …