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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Well, it's been a while since I've had time to write and I've missed it very, very much. 

We've been so busy with COVID related concerns, that it's taken a back seat, but I was inspired this morning when answering daily questions in our Puppy Essentials Online Training program. There was a common theme about trying to help puppies overcome noise. Pups were presented with 'the noisy thing' (hair dryer, sander, loud truck, etc.) and frightened by it. 

Then the question of how to acclimate.
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

I was really hoping NOT to have to write this post, but as I sit here in the same state of shock and confusion as I'm sure most of you are in, it's become painfully obvious that an end to this is not coming in a mere week.... We know we will be avoiding most normal activity for at least another week, and likely more. So, how will this affect your dog?
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Right, so you brought home your gorgeous new pup, ready with your plan to train and socialize.... and then, the sh!t hit the fan!
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

The world needs more ACRONYMS!!!

Let's talk about pulling on leash as an example of a behaviour you may not like. How can you address it... STOP!
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Bribe VS Reward - how to successfully teach a skill using food without making your dog dependent on it!

Dog Bribe = relying on showing your dog food in order to get a response. What's the problem? If the thing your dog wants to do is more motivating than your food, you lose!

Dog Reward = the paycheck that comes AFTER the dog has responded successfully to a cue you've previously taught.

Dog Lure = Using food for a SHORT period of time in the beginning stages of teaching a skill to show the dog what you expect.
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Hello and welcome to another 'truth about' post! I'm always happy to attempt to demystify another myth in the industry and this one is very near and dear.

I remember the feeling of being lost and resentful of my very first puppy. I remember the feeling of overwhelm that quickly took over once I realized my puppy was a land shark!

Today, we'll talk about nipping, and we'll also talk about teething because they are most definitely NOT the same thing. They have different action, different intention and different results.
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Do you rush to get rid of training aids? Do you take your leash off before your dog has a reliable recall? Do you try to remove food from training before value has been added to a skill? Do you throw the crate out while your pup still has unreliable habits in the house?

What if I told you you are making your life MUCH more difficult? 
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

“Success is never owned, it is rented, and the rent is due every day.” — Rory Vaden

I love this quote by Rory Vaden. It fits training a dog so well, how could we possibly think about it any differently now that we've thought of it in that context? I have to put in effort EVERY day in order to have success. Right! Got it.....

Except....
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

Dog won't COME? Pulls your arm off? Destructive in the home? Steals things? Etc. etc. etc. 

What if I told you you could fix all of these problems quite quickly? How? Start training!

Just!

Start!

Training!
 
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Course Level Taken : Online Training
Testimonial Rating : 5.00

I typically don't know what my next post will be. Often, it's simply a reaction to something that's hit me in my day-to-day life, like an interaction with a student or a sentiment that seems to permeate the community. These things are often ones that resonate with me in some way. I love it when something hits me in just such a way that it challenges something I believe and I have to open my mind to new possibilities. This is truly how we grow!
  1. The Real Cost of Convenience
  2. Living with Cats & Dogs
  3. The BEST Breed of Dog for You
  4. Dog Training Myths: The Rest of the Story
  5. Skills for Off-Leash Control
  6. New Puppy? Great! Now What?
  7. Teach Your Dog to have Amazing Attention!
  8. The Gate Escape!
  9. Why Ignoring Bad Behaviours Won't Work
  10. When is it the Right Time to Say Goodbye?
More