Dogs will naturally roll over to clean themselves or satisfy an itch. Teaching your dog to roll over on command is a simple task any dog can learn. Is it really necessary though? Does it have any practical benefit to your dog or to you, except to amuse your family and friends? Is entertainment a good enough reason? I confess… read more →
If dogs run free, then why not we Across the swooping plain? If humans never interfered, dogs would run free. It’s their instinct. It is a higher need. We prevent dogs from running free. It would be a messier and more dangerous world for humans, if we suddenly let all dogs run free. So, we’ve bred them over centuries to… read more →
Developing an ability to successfully communicate with you is the highest need your dog has. If you are tuned in, your dog’s desire to communicate with you should be palpable. Your dog depends on you and has no alternative to trying to get through to you. It is up to you to help your dog communicate with you. Building your… read more →
Dogs love to curl up and nap by your feet. Awww. It warms your heart that it wants to be so close to you. That’s probably true. But another reason your dog has for such proximity is that when you move, it will be alerted that something might be happening. Dog’s love to be underfoot for that reason. Too often… read more →
For as long as there have been people “training” dogs, the dog treat has been a tool box staple. Most dog’s will eagerly comply to earn the reward. Like mice in a lab experiment their behavior can be manipulated with a simple reward for the forced behavioral scheme. In the mind of the dog it is a simple transaction –… read more →
Trainers require discipline. The objective is behavior modification. Trainers demand obedience. The inner feelings of those being trained are of little concern. Compliance is assumed and original thought is discouraged. Training might be the best path for you and your dog, if your primary goals are obedience and submission. Why not consider teaching instead? Why not inspire your dog to… read more →
There’s lots of advice about walking your dog on a leash. If you use the “training” method to extreme, you can make your dog walk obediently by your right side and then immediately sit when you stop. All the while your dog will ignore every distraction. If that is what you want, go for it! To me it smacks of… read more →
One of the most effective techniques for connecting with your dog is getting close and going eye-to-eye. When you have your dog’s complete attention with this technique your dog has no choice but to listen. Your dog looks (stares) into your face and eyes to interpret your thoughts. I’ve found this to be the best way to reach your dog’s… read more →
Family dogs probably hear these exclamations more than any others. You probably agree that your dog should hear “Good Dog” much more than “Bad Dog”. It indicates a smooth relationship. You probably also realize that dogs don’t understand the literal meaning of words. To dogs words mean whatever you teach them to mean. “Good Dog” should always mean “Good Dog”… read more →
Practically everything we do is with our hands. We have long multi-joint fingers, flexible wrists, opposable thumbs, and sensitive touch. Dogs are stuck with claws at the end of their legs. Instead they rely on their mouths to do what we do with our hands. Dogs pick up and carry things with their mouths. They “manipulate” things with their teeth.… read more →