I grew up with a parent who believed a pet dog should not be stepped over, but rather should move out of a person’s way, even if the dog were enjoying a peaceful snooze. He should wake and move out of the way fast. So the family dogs were never comfortable lying in the pathway of foot traffic. And most places in our house were foot-traffic worthy. Because the dogs had been conditioned to jump up and move out of {Read More}
Hiring a Professional Dog Trainer
May 8, 2017 By
If you are a service professional, have you found that people come up to you to ask for free advice just because you are present? I would bet more service professionals than not would answer the question with a resounding yes! It eventually happens. As for me, a couple weeks ago, someone who I’ve had scant conversations with asked me a how-to dog-training question on the fly. The question she asked me needed more than a 60-second sound byte, especially {Read More}
Spatial Dog Training
May 3, 2017 By
Like any dog, my new rescued Dobermann, Emile, is learning from both me and the environment. She’s curious and cautious, which is a good combination. When she first arrived, her house manners were scant because, I believe, she hadn’t been in a house before. She would quickly turn around so hard and fast that she gave no credence to what was behind her. The last time she did this, she’d slammed her head into a door. I was worried about {Read More}
The Evening Stroll: The Dogs, The Bug, and Me
January 24, 2017 By
Anyone who lives in Florida knows about the flying roaches. Excuse me, Palmetto Bugs. As I am now living in the country, I have hired an exterminator who comes out to spray the house, inside and out, to keep as much of the wildlife (insects) outside. He’s done a good job. The only palmetto bugs I’ve found were dead ones outside. Yes! The dogs and I then walked around more. When the scooper was empty, I swayed it gently. When {Read More}
