I recently read that clicker trainers tell people not to say “No” to their dogs, and I wondered where that idea came from. We certainly advocate concentrating on what the dog is doing right, and rewarding that. If you’re teaching heeling, for example, you would click-and-treat when the dog was in the correct position rather […]
“But I don’t have TIME to train” Yes you do. Training doesn’t have to involve a long commitment of time. Here’s when: During commercial breaks of your TV show – turn the sound down. While your bagel is toasting. While your coffee is brewing or tea is steeping, or the microwave or stove is working […]
Foods Have a plan to keep unusual foods away from your dog. Chocolates are poisonous for dogs if eaten. Keep them out of reach (ideally by giving them to your dog trainer!). Coffee, espresso, macadamia nuts, walnuts, raw potatoes, and alcohol are also dangerous. Dogs should not get large amounts of fat or gravy, and […]
There are many reasons to play games with your dog. It will strengthen your relationship. It will keep the dog from getting bored, which will keep him from things you don’t want him doing, and make him healthier. Many of the games described here will actually help train your dog. It’s important that you can […]
What is Clicker Training? In a nutshell, it is using a marker signal to indicate when the animal has achieved your training goal, telling them that they accomplished the task and will be rewarded with a significant reward. For more information on what it is, please see some excellent articles here. The clicker is a […]
Exercise and mental stimulation when you can’t go outside. When the weather is stormy or the air quality abysmal (or if we’re asked to quarantine to contain a rampant viral pandemic) we may need to find some creative ways to help our dogs deal! Why is this sort of “environmental enrichment” important? It reduces stress […]
Advice from Wendy Dreyer – copied with permission Note: If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, ask them about their breeding practices and use this to evaluate their answers! Introduction I consider breeding a huge responsibility and a joy. My greatest joy every year is a litter of healthy beautiful puppies and a […]
“Anybody can train a dog to be a delightful companion and member of society, especially with clicker training” — Dani Weinberg Clicker Training is an exciting way of communicating with and training animals. While it’s been used for years with marine mammals, research animals, and a variety of commercial projects, only recently has it begun taking […]
Keep your dog healthy and happy First of all, make sure that your dog has enough socialization, exercise, and mental stimulation. Socialize your dog by creating positive experiences to many different people, dogs, other animals, other experiences. This will make strange people, dogs, and noises less frightening. Give your dog plenty of exercise through walks […]