Category Archive

Come when called is a pretty complex behavior and is absolutely necessary for off leash dog training.  There are many things to consider when you begin to teach this recall behavior.  The 5 rules of Recall: 1.  Always REWARD your dog when he/she comes to you.  For example, give lots of yummy treats, praise, love and attention as if it was the … Read More

A few months ago I decided to try a somatic therapist.  I had been going to regular “talk” therapy for many years and wanted to try something new.  A somatic therapist is one that encourages communication between the mind and the body.  Just as the mind holds wonderful messaging for us, so does the body.   During my first session … Read More

The other day I was at a yoga class in down dog position. Fitting, right?! We had just finished a grueling sequence and I noticed my body start to fatigue. Despite the internal judgement of self and fear of being vulnerable, I decided to go into child’s pose to relax and give my body a rest. As I knelt into the pose, … Read More

A few weeks ago I received a call from a guardian that needed assistance right away.  She and her family had recently adopted a young female dog named, Nola.  Unfortunately, Nola and the resident dog, Jim, were not getting along.  Nola was a larger dog with buckets of energy, constantly asking Jim to play.  Despite his communication efforts indicating he … Read More

When observing dog behavior, most of us know the difference between fear, play, and aggression. We correctly assume that a puppy is scared when his ears flatten against his head, his body weight shifts back, and his tail tucks so tightly it touches his tummy. We know a dog is having a great time when she is bouncing around, smiling … Read More

I wake up early to the sun on my face.  I am feeling good this morning and decide to head to yoga.  After the class, I get ready for work, all smiles, feeling refreshed from my practice.  I head into my favorite coffee shop and order a latte.  Once I receive the drink I accidentally spill it all over myself. … Read More

There are two very important ways in which dogs learn: Classical Conditioning & Operant Conditioning. Classical Conditioning is learning by association. The dog learns that one event predicts another. This type of learning is not contingent on the dog’s behavior; rather it is a result of associations the dog makes in his environment. For example, the leash predicts walks. If the dog … Read More

I will never forget the first behavior I ever taught Sully.  Naturally it was to sit.  Nothing fancy.  He aced the behavior quickly, as most dogs do since it’s their default behavior, unless you’re a dachshund!  I taught him how to sit using a hand signal and a verbal cue.  The next day, we approached the front door together for … Read More

Every client that I meet with always wants to add the verbal cue to a behavior a bit too soon before the dog is ready.  It makes sense that we would want to do that since our primary way of communicating is through verbal language.  However, in contrast, the dog’s primary way of communicating is through body language.  Since this … Read More

It can be very challenging; physically, mentally and emotionally walking a dog that reacts to his/her environment by barking, pulling or lunging. It can be physically challenging as you try and pull the dog away from the oncoming stimulus. It can be mentally challenging as you try and figure out how to handle your dog to prevent unwanted outcomes. And … Read More