That’s a really great question – and something that’s recently come up in a few different professional contexts. In some ways “certified” has different meanings to dog trainers vs to a dog owner. There are many variables depending on “completed a program” vs “showing a minimum competency” vs “completed a Read more…
I get asked a lot of interesting questions. In most situations, there’s not an easy or simple answer to the questions – instead, I have to ask more questions to find out what the family is really wanting to know. How long will it take to train my dog? My Read more…
If you talk to dog trainers who are familiar with clicker training, almost all of them have heard of Karen Pryor. Her book on teaching, Don’t Shoot the Dog is not specifically about dogs. It is considered a “classic” book on dog training. Her less-known book, Lads Before the Wind, is one of my Read more…
Here’s a handout I use for clients who want house training bells. Typically these are dogs who are already house trained and the owners are used to previous dogs who would bark or signal to go out. Often I think it’s easier to just take the dogs out regularly – Read more…
During pre-lesson questions, in initial emails or at the first training something interesting happens. Families either tell me that they think their dog is smart/”a fast learner” or they tell me their dog is dumb/stubborn. I don’t get very many in-between responses. Can Dogs Be Smart? With (human!) kids – Read more…
This weekend we hosted a rally trial (heeling event) and Tonks had new accomplishments. Level 1 We received two more passes to finish her first level title. This included one run with a score of 209/210. Here’s a video of the moment where she lost that point. Thanks to Raegan Read more…
Recently I read a training article that compared a beginner perspective (try something until you can get it right once or twice) to the perspective of someone more experienced (keep working until you don’t get it wrong). We’ve been talking about this in most of our training classes recently – Read more…
A few weeks ago we had Denise Fenzi back again. We had a half day on engagement, half day of heeling games, and Sunday was ‘Handler’s Choice.’ I’ve seen Denise present twice before, but it’s been a few years. It’s fun to see so many people enthusiastic about training. Denise Read more…
This post is part of a series about our 2016 USDAA TitleMania experience. Click here for an overview of the event. Click here for our agility overview. Click here for the Rally World Championships. The dog beach was just as fun and exciting as the trial! The Beach One of my goals this Read more…
I haven’t been to an agility seminar in many years! A few months ago we got an email that a past student was hosting a seminar. This student had been taking classes here while in school and now was working in a veterinary practice – that also now does training! Read more…