Tag Archive | "behavior"
Simple, Effective Ways to Resolve Problems
Whenever I teach class, I start off with a review of the commands we are going to cover in the program. I then discuss what equipment each student will need to successfully train their dog. I also make it a point to ask each owner what breed or type of dog they will be [...]
Continue reading...If you have a Dog, You are a trainer.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Whenever I am out in public and speak with people, whether it’s at a social gathering or just meeting someone, I often hear the question “What do you do for a living?” When I tell people my profession, it almost always sparks curiosity and genuine interest. Of course, as any dog trainer will tell [...]
Continue reading...How your Dog Learns 2
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
THE STAGES OF LEARNING In my 20-plus years of training, I have found that there are four stages of learning: 1. Acquisition 2. Automation 3. Generalization 4. Maintenance Stage 1: Acquisition During the acquisition stage of training, the dog learns through shap-ing and reinforcement that a specific new behavior is rewarding. She will then choose to engage in that behavior again and [...]
Continue reading...How your Dog Learns 1
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
This Article will help you understand the scientific principles of how dogs learn. Since all learning is governed by these basic principles, learning them can help you develop better training skills through a proper understanding of behavior. Over the last 15 years, it has become increasingly difficult for own¬ers to translate the behavioral jargon used [...]
Continue reading...Cesar Millan or not Cesar Millan ?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
With the recent popularity of a television show about problem dogs, the controversy over which methods are the most humane and effective ways to address behavior problems in dogs has been renewed and is dividing dog lovers all over the world. While behaviorists, trainers and other dog professionals recognize that the show is exposing dog [...]
Continue reading...Playing with your Dog
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
1. First, select appropriate play and chew toys for your dog. I am grouping play and chew toys together because you should play with your dog with his chew toys, especially in the beginning. ◆ Acceptable Chew or Play Toys ◆ Kong or Rhino toys ◆ Nylabones ◆ Hard rubber balls like Boomer Balls that are large enough [...]
Continue reading...Your Dog as a Family members
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
For roughly 30,000 years, human beings and dogs have had a fascinat¬ing and rewarding relationship. At the core of human-dog interaction are some very interesting similarities. Humans and dogs are both highly social beings with numerous sophisticated communication skills. Both species are group or pack oriented and territorial. Although we were once competitors for [...]
Continue reading...Response to stimuli
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
There are eight types of responses to stimuli: 1. Single event learning 2. Orienting reflex 3. Desensitization 4. Sensitization 5. Adaptation/flooding 6. Learned irrelevance 7. Back-chaining 8. Pattern training Single Event Learning The dog judges every event that occurs in her life as either relevant or irrelevant. Here’s one example: A skateboard rolling down the sidewalk star¬tles your dog and she yelps. You scream, run over [...]
Continue reading...Excessive Barking
Monday, January 5, 2009
There are many reasons dogs bark and bark excessively. The word “excessively” is important, because a little barking is normal. Dogs bark to express themselves verbally, and they are entitled to a little verbal expression. However, barking that is triggered by the slightest provo¬cation and/or goes on for more than a few seconds can [...]
Continue reading...Obedience Sit-Stay
Monday, January 5, 2009
SIT-STAY The sit-stay command is also a very critical behavior for your dog to learn. Like all the other off-leash commands you’re teaching, it’s impor¬tant to recognize that you may already be giving the sit-stay command without backing it up. Spend a few days being conscious of this and youmay be very surprised to realize there [...]
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
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