Dogs and Fear of Strangers
Veterinarian and applied animal behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin is author of the book Low Stress Handling and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats, newly released as an e-book. In the book, Dr. Yin...
View ArticleManaging Your Dog’s Fear of Strangers
If your dog is afraid of strangers, then socialize him even heavier in public. Do NOT let him stand between you & the stranger as he feels it is his responsibility to guard you. Let him know you...
View ArticleHow to Handle a Dog Who Fears the Clicker
The clicker is supposed to be a bridge to tell your dog that behavior X is what you want. You need to charge it up first so he knows what the click means (that food is coming). Start by feeding him out...
View ArticleWhen Everything Else Fails
If you’ve tried everything and your dog is still afraid of the clicker, you can still train using a marker (which is all the clicker is), except that you will want to think of an alternative type of...
View ArticleLimit water at night to help with housebreaking
I would allow your puppy water all day when you are home. But at night you might try just giving her ice cubes. That way she is quenching her thirst but not getting a full bladder. This really helped...
View ArticleGetting your puppy used to the crate
Start feeding your puppy inside the crate with the crate door open. After a couple of days, feed with the crate door closed. Throughout the day, ask puppy to go into the crate and toss a toy or treat...
View ArticleTeach your dog that crate time is down time
I was told when we adopted our dog that you should have a crate in an easily accessible, comfortable place so your pup can associate it as their safety “den” or “cave.” The door should be always open...
View ArticleShake a can with pennies in it to get your pup to stop barking
We have used a can filled with pennies to curb unwanted behaviors in our dogs. The noise of the can and metal pennies is unpleasant to dogs. It doesn’t hurt them but it will break their concentration...
View ArticleHow to Be the Pack Leader
Becoming a pack leader isn’t as difficult as people often make it sound. At its core, being the pack leader is all about understanding how dogs behave and how the pack structure works. The Leerburg...
View ArticleDon’t Get Worked Up About Being the Pack Leader
The best way to be a pack leader to your dog/s is to be calm and assertive, but also relaxed. People get really worked up when training their dogs and the dogs really do pick up on that nervous, tense...
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Why Clicker Training on TV Would Be a Ratings Disaster
When clients and friends are introduced to many of the training techniques we use at Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training, I am frequently asked, “Why isn’t this kind of training on television?” First,...
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Clicker Training with Treats: Why Food Is a Great Motivator
When I’m clicker training dogs, I use food — a lot — to train new behaviors. Often, my clients are skeptical when we begin working together, saying “My dog isn’t really food-motivated. Do we have to...
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7 Reasons Your Dog Isn’t Responding to Treat-Training
In previous dog training posts, I’ve discussed why trainers use treats or food when clicker training, and discussed a number of non-food reinforcers as well. But maybe you live with a dog that seems...
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Four Awesome Things for Dogs That Some People Think Are Cruel
“I could never do that! That’s so cruel!” says Marsha, a new client and proud Bichon puppy mom. What on earth did I ask her to do, you wonder? Rub the lovely puppy’s nose in poop? Force her to spend...
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Train Your Dog for Perfect Loose Leash Walking
Last week I shared five tips to help improve your dog’s leash manners. As promised, I’m back to share more tips to help in your quest for the Holy Grail of doggy manners: a walk that brings you home...
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5 Tips for Keeping Your Dogs Safe and Sane in a Hurricane
A year makes a big difference. This time last year, I, my partner, and our dogs were stuck in our Brooklyn apartment as NYC assessed the damage done by Superstorm Sandy. Although being stuck at home...
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Ask a Trainer: Is My Dog Trying to Dominate by Going Out the Door First?
Here’s a question I recently received from a reader: I have a new, very large German Shepherd I recently adopted. He’s great in every way, but he does rush out the door in front of me. I have read that...
View ArticleThe Lure of Lure Coursing for Dogs
If your dog is trustworthy off leash and has excellent recall, then consider lure coursing! What is it? The American Kennel Club defines it as “system of mechanized lures and pulleys that simulate the...
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Dealing with a Dog That’s Afraid of Water? Try These 4 Proven Techniques
Pet parents often mistakenly believe that cats fear water and canines love it. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth — in fact, many pet parents have a dog that’s afraid of water. One...
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Summer Dog Training Tips
Summer is upon us, so let’s look at three common summer training troubles that routinely pop up this time of year for dog owners. We’re all outside more in the summer, and by “all” I mean other dog...
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