Behavior Problems

I have to quit Facebook groups. I was on one yesterday and someone asked what to do if you saw someone using punishment in a class. I was confused because punishment is really a generic term and means many different things to different people. No one would answer my question. This is why many are getting confused about dog training. Punishment is often associated with hurting or harming the dog. Many trainers will tell you that anyone using or talking about punishment is an old school caveman trainer. FALSE. Using a negative consequence does NOT have to hurt or harm.… Read the rest

Last week I woke up and found this on my Facebook page: “Just wanted you to hear the good news about Bo. We took him for his vet appointment Tuesday, and the veterinary commended us on how well behaved he was during his appointment. She has seen such a change in his behavior, and feels he has come a long way with his behavior! We told her that you helped us with training techniques that helped us better understand his negative behavior. We still have more work with him, but I wanted to thank you for all your help! You… Read the rest

I got bit. Yeah, me, Mr. Amazing Dog Training Man with cat like reflexes from countless encounters with aggressive and fearful dogs. If you decide to become a dog trainer and especially if you decide to work with aggressive dogs you have to understand that you will eventually get bit. The worst for me was years ago with a dog named Scar. Can you believe that? Scar chewed me up pretty good but with time and experience you get good at protecting yourself and reading dogs. So the other day I start doing some in home training with a client… Read the rest

I got an angry email the other day. The writer stated: “Stop sending me emails. I never want to get another email from you again. You promote and breed purebred dogs when there are millions of unwanted dogs. You are disgusting.” When I stopped laughing I wrote her back. This is what I wrote: “I have NEVER bred any dogs in my ENTIRE career working with dogs. I do not talk about, promote or even talk about breeding in ANY of my emails. Go back to my blog and go through each entry and I defy you to find anything… Read the rest

I would definitely be on drugs. If I was in school today I know someone would have prescribed some type of drug for me because by the time I reached high school I was in the running for most detentions and in school suspensions. The “experts” discovered that my brain wasn’t wired correctly and today I would probably have a label like ADHD. Because I was such a bonehead in school I became very introverted and had difficulty asking questions and participating in any activities. Some teachers and students were not so nice when you asked what seemed like a… Read the rest

I haven’t read the book. I don’t plan on reading the book. I am not going to go see the movie. 50 Shades of Grey is everywhere. This is a bigger story than deflategate. Even Vermont Teddy Bears are promoting a 50 Shades of Grey Bear. Never saw that one coming. Anyway, even though I have no intention of reading the book or seeing the movie, I know what it is about. Because dominance and submission are right up my alley. Hold on, calm down, before your thinking goes down the wrong alley, let me clarify this for you. You… Read the rest

Okay, maybe you’ve noticed that my writing as of late has not been to the usual high standard you expect and are used to. I don’t have an excuse but I do have an explanation. I’ve been fighting a cold for the past few weeks. I just couldn’t shake it. Probably my fault because I would start feeling good and go back to work which I think prolonged the whole thing. But, I am cautiously optimistic. I think I finally turned the corner and am on the road back. It’s tough finding any motivation to do anything, not to mention… Read the rest

The snow is starting to get to many here in the frozen Northeast corridor of the country. Another 4 to 8 inches is on the way. You can see the anger and frustration on Facebook. Most conversations discuss the relentless amount of snow that just keeps coming week after week. Even the local paper is concerned with dogs getting enough exercise during this long stretch of cold and snow. I know this because they contacted me asking if it could be done. Could a dog owner effectively exercise their dog to prevent them from going stir crazy? “YES!” was my… Read the rest