Posted in Behavior & Training

The topic of today's lecture was "It's Okay to Say No!" Have we thrown out the baby with the bath water? Murray Sidman wrote one of my favorite books of all times - "Coercion and Its Fallout." He so eloquently says it all. However, have we gone so far as to avoid controlling dogs' behaviors in fear of one judging us as not being a "positive tra… read more

Posted in General

Well, fortunately, my dad will be coming home next week with hospice care. I know he'll be happier. At least he can sit outside on the deck and be together with my mother. Unfortunately, I had to bring my mom to the emergency this past week. I hope the year gets better, but I'm not anticipating it. I'll keep my optimistic attitude going and si… read more

Posted in General

Okay, after spending an extra day in Arizona while my dad was ill due to weather, I am sitting in Newark Airport waiting for my plane to come in from Baltimore. It's 4:00 P.M. I HAD a 11:30 flight. We won't be leaving until 5:15 - - so they say!!!!! The sky WAS blue and now it is getting cloudy again. I probably won't get in until midnight wit… read more

Posted in Behavior & Training

Aggression and treating aggression, especially when dealing with under-socialized dogs and dogs with very hard mouths is time-sensitive, long-winded and more often than not unsuccessful than other behavior problems. You cannot fix or cure aggression problems. You don't wipe the slate clean. You cannot kill the behavior. You can only modify it… read more

Posted in Behavior & Training

If you think behaviors and explanations for behaviors are simple you will most likely be led into simple-minded ways of treating dogs. I always tell new trainers starting in the field that the next time they give a simple answer to a complex problem, they should think twice. It might come back to bite you in the butt - literally! read more