Eric Letendre

The Real Reason Why We Often Fail

I was reading an interesting article the other day. The article discussed learning and the problems adults have. The writer gave two great reasons why adults have a difficult time learning any new skill or accepting new information. I see it every day and I have to admit that I am sometimes guilty of what he is talking about. But I’m working on it. You see, the reason we reject new information is because: We already think we know everything there is to know about the subject or We flat out reject and disagree with the new information. I see… Read the rest

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Do You Agree With JFK’s Dog Training Advice?

Yesterday I wrote an email in regard to Victoria Stilwell’s article on “balanced trainers.” In case you missed it, you can read it on my blog. Interesting emails came in after I sent it. One email from J.S. stated: “I like reading your emails and they are very helpful but you are so defensive. Much of your writing lately has been negative and you’re always putting down other trainers.” What? Putting down other trainers? I need to back up here a second and make something very clear. She and every other trainer are entitled to write anything they want about… Read the rest

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My Disagreement With Popular TeeVee Dog Trainer

So my friend Lydia posted an article by Victoria Stilwell on my Facebook page. The article was titled, “Balanced Dog Training: There’s Nothing Balanced About It.” In case you’ve never heard of Balanced Dog Training, dog trainers have developed categories to label each other. You have: The “Positive Only” trainers, the trainers that I affectionately refer to as the PO’d crowd because this camp is M.A.D! You disagree with this “peaceful” group and lookout. This camp has physically threatened me. They freak out if you talk about doing any type of physical correction to a dog but have NO PROBLEM… Read the rest

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2 Simple Tips To Improve Your Dog’s Response

Little Scarlett is very interesting to observe and play with. Yesterday we spent about an hour running around the backyard. We live next to a big pond and she loves running to the water. I called her and she avoided eye contact. I kept calling her and she kept avoiding eye contact. I’ve learned that she thinks if she dosen’t make eye contact she doesn’t have to listen to me. After scooping her up and bring her back inside I said to Rachael: “She is like a puppy. No attention, no response.” This is an excellent lesson to take into… Read the rest

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“Son your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.”

“Son your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash.” A great quote from a great movie. Top Gun is one of my all time favorites. I think of this when I am about to work with an aggressive dog. Working with aggressive behavior can be tricky, to say the least. You have to get real close to a real dog that is in a bad mood, that doesn’t like you, that would probably bite you given the chance. A dog that sometimes does not want food, toys or soft voices. It is a dog that wants you gone. So… Read the rest

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Two Word Solution That Will Help You Control Your Dog

Started working with a little Malinois puppy yesterday. A very high energy, high drive little girl. We talked about all the important steps they need to follow to raise her into being a good dog. The normal stuff like socialization, leadership, exercise, training, management, nutrition and one topic that is often overlooked or never discussed with puppy owners. It is extremely important and can remove a lot of stress from the owner’s life if followed and practiced. What is it that I speaketh of, you ask? I can say it in two words. I am talking about…… …..impulse control. This… Read the rest

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Is It Good To Hate?

I was reading an interesting book over the weekend. The book: “The Compound Effect,” by Darren Hardy. Very good book that gives you a plan for accomplishing anything you’d like to get done. Running a marathon, building your savings, learning a new skill or even….. …..training a dog. He said something that was very interesting. Mr. Hardy states: “People are motivated by something they want or something they don’t want. Love is a powerfully motivating force. But so is hate. Contrary to social correctness, it can be good to hate. Hate disease, hate injustice, hate ignorance, hate complacency and so… Read the rest

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Is Your Dog Reactive? This Will Help You

Did a talk last night at a shelter. The Potter League for Animals is a great place, run by some great people and they invited me to speak for their Pet University. Of course I broke the record for attendees. About 80 people showed up for the talk. I’d love to say I was the reason for so many people showing up but that would be incorrect. The reason so many people showed up was not me, it was….. …….the topic. You see, I spoke about reactive dogs, dogs that lunge, bark, growl or are just plain unruly and uncontrollable.… Read the rest

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The Steak Was Stolen Right Off The Grill

A few years back my brother and I sailed over to Cuttyhunk Island in Buzzards Bay. It was the first leg of our trip to Martha’s Vineyard for the weekend. Naturally some great food was packed up and we were looking forward to dinner. My brother had been marinating a steak for about a day and was very excited to cook and eat it. There was a little grill attached to a bar on the back of the boat. He threw the steak on and turned his back to grab the spatula. The second he turned his back a seagull… Read the rest

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The Undisputed Real Reason For Reactive Dogs

So I have some of the smartest readers when it comes to dog training. Yesterday I wrote about reactive (aggressive) dogs and some great emails came in commenting and even (GASP) disagreeing with me. I know, I was as surprised as you are. Here is an email from M.M. “Big fan of you for years, and your second point on how dogs become reactive by unintentional reinforcement is totally correct. The issue I’m having is saying it’s because of choke chains or prong collars in class? Those aren’t good tools but that is not why dogs are reactive, not even… Read the rest

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