How to Choose a Dog Trainer

There is a lot confusion about appropriate and effective training techniques and methodologies in the dog training world of today, therefore dog owners must become educated consumers when hiring a dog trainer. So how do you choose the best trainer for you and your dog? 1. Get a referral from friends, your veterinarian, groomer or pet sitter,…

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Your Dog: To Punish or Not to Punish

Corrective or punishment based training has become a very controversial subject over the last ten to twenty years. When I began training my first dog, in the mid 1970s, the only training classes available were correction based. That means when teaching the dog a new skill we praised him when he got it right, and…

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Train your Dog to Stop Jumping

Dogs jump up on people for two reasons. Jumping begins because it is s normal greeting behavior among dogs, especially for puppies greeting older “pack members”. It continues because it works. Dogs always get attention for jumping. In some cases, especially with smaller dogs, people will actually reward the puppy by petting him when he…

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Dog Leash Manners

The concept of dog leash manners is really simple, but to be successful you must consistently follow these rules: 1. Don’t pull on your dog. Many people try to use their leash to control, and to communicate with, their dog. If you steer your dog with the leash or you pull your dog along when…

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Dog Safety ID

Please make sure that your dog has proper identification at all times. As I write this, I have a cute little stray resting at my feet. He was found this morning outside of the dog park, and of course, he has no ID. All dogs should wear a flat, buckle collar with identification tags at…

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Be A Good Dog

What does “Be a good dog” mean, really? During my first contact with a client, either on the phone, or in class, I always ask “What are your goals?” I usually receive one of two answers. Either they reply “I just want the dog to be good”, which I will follow with “define good”. Or…

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