Most of us have heard of classical conditioning. Pavlov demonstrated how a neutral stimulus could become meaningful to a dog when followed by something that elicits a natural response. So when a bell, meaningless in itself, is consistently followed with…
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Learning theory basics – Part 2: Operant conditioning: if it works do it again!
Just waking up from a nap, the 2 month old puppy is now replenished and full of energy. Since he’s locked up in a crate, little Jake starts vocalizing and scratching at the door. Thankfully, Coleen, hearing her pup in…
9 Top Tips to Improve your Dog’s Training Success
An important aspect of dog training is to always create an environment that sets your pet up for success. Oftentimes dog owners forget that animals cannot read our minds and then become frustrated when training does not happen as quickly – or as easily – as expected. Listed here are top tips to improve your dog’s training success.
Loose Leash Walking Fundamentals
How wonderful is it to take a nice stroll in the park with our dog? We’re enjoying the cool breeze in our hair, the sound of birds in the trees and just sharing a nice stress releasing moment with our…
Social referencing: we influence how our dog sees the world
When we’re unsure about a novel situation, our first response is to look around and check how others are reacting. This behavior is easy to spot when watching hidden camera TV shows where a person faced with an ambiguous situation…
Treated fear can return – even to the next generation
As I have mentioned in a few other posts, the vast majority of behaviors that we deem problematic in our dogs, such as, barking, biting, lunging, destruction, separation anxiety or resource guarding, stem from the dog’s fear, anxiety or panic.…
Bob Bailey : Don’t settle for ‘good enough’
Animals are always learning. The animals we know today are the fruit of millions of years of evolution and have been learning by consequence all this time. They continuously put things together, draw conclusions and figure out how to avoid…
What happens to fear if left untreated?
Barking, lunging, bolting, running away, tucking their tail, avoiding, etc. Dogs have many ways to express their fear. How we react in return will often determine whether they get over it or whether it gets worse. Some fears can be…
The joy of shaping
There are few things more exciting for a trainer than working with a dog on shaping a new behavior through clicker training. From teaching the dog to lie down on his bed, to retrieving objects, or flipping a light switch…
There are 3 Es in modern dog training: Efficacy, Efficiency and Ethics
As trainers, we talk to dog guardians all the time. They come to us with questions and concerns about their dog and our job is to help them work out the best approach to their canine’s needs. Many have been…