I have some new handlers in a prison program and they’ve been working on LEAVE-IT training with their dogs. One handler now has his dog, Loki, leaving food temptations that are presented in front of his nose, placed on his paws, bounced off his head, and dropped to the floor. Pretty impressive! Our next step is to create training set-ups to…

Read more

@bernerlabreclectus , thank you for bringing up the doorbell apps. I often suggest their use to my clients — so convenient to use [for normal people!] and so many ‘chime’ options. I however, being a dinosaur, never follow my own advice when techie stuff like an app is involved!

I love what you did with Joy and the vacuum. Clearly, Joy did…

Read more

@bernerlabreclectus , this advice is pure gold, telling clients to mock up what they’d normally do in a specific space. Thank you for sharing!

😍

Such a great topic! Yes, I run in to this often. Even in day training, I have to remind myself sometimes when the client isn’t around: generalize to other rooms, NORMAL daily distractions and then outside quiet spaces.

I like to run the sink, grab a paper towel, move something on the counter…I mark and reward it all. I tell clients, what…

Read more

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS @virginiad on your new pad! It’s beautiful!

Latent inhibition does sound science-y. I went to your previous post to find out more. So, we are looking to create a neutral association with something with a clean slate, by a series of exposures where good or neutral things happen during the action?

I loved watching…

Read more

@itschogan , that’s such fabulous input, really spot on. We’re so lucky that there’s already an adopter in the wings for Rocky and I think they’ll be very accommodating about his needs. 😍

Oh, and the pic is just a stock image of an older beagle.

Hi Virginia,

Love this post and how you are considering that other factors might be in play here! Especially when we are working with older dogs, I rarely teach a sit or down. Why? Well, arthritis and joint pain can be so common in our older dogs that the last thing I want to do is ask them to complete basically a push-up!

Also, if the photo…

Read more

The PenPals program has a beagle currently being trained at the prison. Rocky is a delightful older gentleman. But his handler is having a hard time teaching Rocky to lie down. The technique of using a food lure to get the dog to follow it to the floor and land in a down position, which we use frequently with our dogs, isn’t working with Rocky.…

Read more

@JCongdon , thank you for sharing your great ideas!

I need to teach the newbie handlers about pattern games.

And I love that you incorporate cues when playing with the flirt pole. I think that’s one of the glorious benefits of flirt pole play — that opportunity to teach the dog that the play continues contingent on them responding to some cues…

Read more

I like your ideas. I work in a shelter with highly aroused dogs. I work on a lot of impulse control. Sit stays, waits, leave it, and I am working on pattern games and find its with treat scatters – that helps decompress. I constantly reward what I want with a reward marker and treat. If 4 paws on the ground with mouth closed – keep…

Read more

When working with clients, it’s very common for me to hear them say that the dog is being “stubborn” and not listening to the person’s cues even though “they know those behaviors!” In many cases, the dog simply has not learned how to respond to a cue in a specific context.

When we first introduce a new behavior, it makes sense to work in a…

Read more

After living in a house for 10 years without a functional doorbell, my dogs never learned what that sound means. Now that I’m in a new home, a neighbor stopped by to give me my mail, which was accidentally left in his box, and he rang the bell. Initially, I was shocked by the silence of my dogs, having forgotten they’ve not been conditioned to…

Read more

Just a bit of fun here, Shana, not to worry!

And making posts, contributing to discussions and connecting here are great ways to grow. Thanks for being a part!

Do Huskies ever really grow up!? They are such clowns. Thanks for sharing her!

Hi @Paige.Bangera ,

You might want to take a look at Malena DeMartini-Price’s book on separation anxiety. It’s full of useful info and structured protocols if this dog indeed is experiencing separation-related anxiety.

I do know it’s hard to address SA if the pet parent can’t temporarily arrange the environment in such a way that the dog…

Read more

@virginiad @catherine

Thank you for your input! I agree about either the scenting herself option or just a bit of doggie passion about the ball. She is a very cute and energetic older dog! I keep waiting for her to slow down, even a little!

That should not be too hard, @jenz !😘

@heeltheirsoul HA! Yes, bring on the award! 🏅

Hi!

Thanks for trying to help the pup and the human in this situation.

It sounds like there was also a lot of changes for this pup between a move and dropping day care.

I would start by asking many more questions if you have not already. For example;

Has he recently had a vet check to rule out any medical issues? (even if there seems to be…

Read more

@heeltheirsoul

Just fun and knowledge!

… 😖

lol is there an award for most involved? extra credit maybe?

🤣 ooooops!

Soooo, if I delete my post will @bernerlabreclectus be the jackpot winner again 😉<div>

Well, @bernerlabreclectus you are just going to have to start another conversation and engage in more posts! We will see the trifecta again!

</div>

Hi, I have a client with a 5-year old Great Pyreness mix that barks, whines, and howls for a few hours after my client leaves for work. She shares the house with roommates and her only personal space is her room. He’s left alone free roaming in her room for 8 hours, 5 days a week. She takes him on an hour walk before leaving for work, and…

Read more

Yeah, thanks a lot, Jen! 😂

I think @jenz ‘s congratulations post pushed @bernerlabreclectus out of the trifecta. 🤣

My dogs LOVE dehydrated fruits and veggies. Magic will eat ANYTHING, ANYTIME. Bliss is a little more … discerning. 🤣

Because I have a story for every topic🎯 , how’s this one:

Bliss thought I was crazy when I first started putting raw carrots in her daily rations. She’d carefully pick them out and set them aside for later. “Later” never came,…

Read more

These are so funny!

I agree with Virginia, and will add one more possibility. They could be wearing the scent like perfume. It’s a behavior we see with stinkier things – and I would much rather they smell like a musky dog toy! haha

@jenz

MWAH-HA-HA!!!

Yippee! So fun.

@bernerlabreclectus

Nice engagement!

@bernerlabreclectus , I hope you’ll share if you find any Joy-approved recipes!

@bernerlabreclectus , I bet there’s a potential for multiple meanings:

• Back-scratching enjoyment, like you mentioned
• Scenting the toy
• Just displaying joyful exuberance

😀

@virginiad

Awe! Your brother’s dog is so cute! I think this is a fabulous video.

Any ideas on why dogs do this? “Is it: oh boy, I love this toy!”😍?

I have seen Joy do this with a favorite chew or bone, but I always thought it was her trying to use a back scratcher… 😂

Thank you, Virginia! I will definitely research it for future. I wanted to give Joy the best start and therefore, have her on dish while she’s growing still.

I didn’t know you were vegetarian! It’s great to find that out. I believe @pawsup is, as well.

Oh, she’s lovely! My brother’s dog loves to roll on her toys, too!

I’m a vegetarian, too, but I feed my dogs meat and fish. Of the various non-meat snacks you mentioned, you might also try romaine lettuce. My dogs oddly love that.

I bet you could find easy recipes online with combine some sort of flour (or oats) with egg, applesauce, canned pumpkin or sweet potato, etc., if you wanted to bake some crunchy goodies for Joy.

Ever wonder why a dog is doing a particular behavior?

An 8 year old Husky mix, Harley, LOVES to play fetch. She is always in a tie out, supervised, of course. Here, I brought her a new item to fetch…a Chuck it ball.

After playing, she takes a break and this is what it looks like.

What do you think she’s saying?

I know…dogs aren’t vegetarian! ‼️

But, I am and have been for 16 years. I don’t expect my pets to opt into a veg lifestyle. Lately, this has been bothering me though…because, I do it “for the animals”. I do not think dogs or cats are more important than chickens or pigs or cows. And this especially bothers me with baby animals, like lamb. …

Read more