HOW TO CURE JUMPING UP Part II: Jumping on Guests

November 21, 2010
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In my preceding post, I explained how to stop your dog from jumping on you.  Now, I’ll give you my favorite tip for solving another jumping problem:  Jumping on guests. To prevent this embarrassing situation, my favorite “cure” is teaching the dog to go to a special bed or mat whenever the doorbell rings, and [...]

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HOW TO CURE JUMPING UP Part I: Jumping on You

October 31, 2010

Almost every person bringing their dog to me for a training or behavior consultation has “Jumping Up” on their list of things they want to stop. Does your dog jump up on you or your guests?  Would you like to stop this annoying (and sometimes dangerous) behavior?  This post is about stopping your dog from [...]

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POWER-SAPPERS: Part III – Accommodation

October 24, 2010

In our human lives and roles as wives, girlfriends and mothers, many of us have come to equate accommodation with love. We clear the sofa for our husband when he needs to sit down; we change our schedule around so that we can attend our child’s recital or softball tournament.  It’s what we do.  All [...]

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POWER SAPPERS: Part II – Emotional Extremes

October 10, 2010

FRUSTRATION & ANGER vs. SMOTHERING LOVE Frustration and Anger Have you ever been so frustrated with your dog that you yell at him? It’s what most people do when they are at a loss on how to control, command or even just get their dog’s attention.  When your dog fails to respond, your anger and [...]

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POWER SAPPERS: Part I – Fidgeting

September 19, 2010

Your dog is looking for a leader. A powerful figure, with quiet confidence, in whom he can put his trust and safely follow.  When you become that kind of leader in your dog’s eyes, he will listen to you, follow you and obey you. Powerful “alpha” dogs are quiet and direct.  So are powerful people.  [...]

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October is National Pet Health Month: EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF CANINE EMERGENCIES

September 12, 2010

Running a boarding kennel, my whole world revolves around knowing and teaching staff about the early warning signs of dog health issues. My colleagues in the business do the same. Some dog owners, however, prefer to let their dogs stay in their home while they travel, and ask a friend or relative to watch their [...]

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR DOG – NOT YOUR WOLF: The Social Group Contract

September 5, 2010

Although there is much ado made by some people about how understanding wolves helps us understand dogs – I disagree (sort of). It’s not our dog’s great-great-great-great-great…grandparents that hold the key to understanding him now.  Do YOU bear much resemblance to your ancient ancestors?  I doubt it. Neither does your dog. What IS key in [...]

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FISH & OTHER DOGS: Sometimes They Just Don’t Like Them

August 29, 2010

My husband hates fish.  I wish he liked fish.  I like fish. Don’t all normal, healthy people like fish?  Maybe if I put fish on his plate every night for dinner, fed him MORE fish, got him used to fish, surrounded him with fish…he’d learn to like fish.  He just needs more exposure to fish… [...]

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HEADWATERS OF THE DOG TRAINING DEBATE: The Myth of Aggression-Based Dominance

August 15, 2010

 Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last 20 years, you know that the dog training world is deeply divided on training philosophy and methodology.  I’ve been thinking a lot about this schism over the past couple of weeks, and I HAVE FOUND THE HEADWATERS! If I’m not mistaken, the entire rift can be traced [...]

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Many Are Chosen. FEW COME WHEN THEY ARE CALLED. Canines 3:17

August 8, 2010

You can’t argue with the Word of Dog. But I’ll give you some tips to help get your dog’s recall on the fast track to salvation. THE PROBLEM: If there is one command that gives owners grief, it is the “Come” command.  They scream, they threaten, they beg, they chase, they bribe and cajole – [...]

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