So I work at an awesome dog training facility and they had an opening in their Treibball class and I took it! We've never done Treibball before and I literally did not know anything about the sport until last week. We got there early so I could try to take a few pictures and to walk her around the block a little. The training building has a beautiful mural painted on it and I thought it would
positive reinforcement etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
positive reinforcement etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
Phoenix's First Treibball Class!
So I work at an awesome dog training facility and they had an opening in their Treibball class and I took it! We've never done Treibball before and I literally did not know anything about the sport until last week. We got there early so I could try to take a few pictures and to walk her around the block a little. The training building has a beautiful mural painted on it and I thought it would
The Power of Positive Reinforcement Training!
Zoe & Phee are featured in Modern Canine Training's Latest Video!
I was so excited and honored when my friend Kris Willson the owner of Modern Canine Training asked me if I wanted to be a part of her latest video project.
These are dogs from all over the world and they were all trained with positive reinforcement! Amazing dogs and amazing handlers! Check out the power of positive
Are You Walking In A Straight Line? Loose Leash Walking Tip
Phoenix gives the most beautiful attention on walks! She's a dream!
Last week I told you all about how I am trying to work on my dog's leash skills. As I was thinking about a training plan, I started thinking about routines. We humans love our routines and it's really easy to get set in our ways. I am no different, in fact, I got super annoyed when a new neighbor moved in and promptly
Getting It Together for Leash Walking!
Oh leash walking. How I wish it was easier to train with Zoe! Zoe is very environmental and nervous so it's not our most fun way to spend an afternoon. Zoe has a hard time focusing on keeping the leash loose because everything out in the world is so distracting and some things can even be a cause for concern! Phoenix is a lot better on leash and never got a chance to develop any bad habits
Reward Based Dog Training Really Works!
Zoe, recalling off hunting bunnies.
We've all heard that saying "the proof is in the pudding", right? Well it's really true. It's hard to believe someone about something unless you see the thing for yourself. Reward-based training really works and here are some photos to prove it.
The first photo is of Zoe. She's recalling off hunting the rabbits in the field. When I first got this dog, she
It's Not About Being Alpha
Zoe & Phee wait politely at the gate.
It's about good manners and safety.
I ask my dogs to wait and I walk through doorways and gates before them and if I don't walk through the door before them they need to at least be polite and not rush through or drag me out. It's not about being alpha. It's about teaching them impulse control and good manners. It's about safety. Rushing out the door can
If You See Something, SAY Something! Positive Pet Training
Today I wanted to talk to you about something that is very important to me. You all know that I am big on Positive Reinforcement training, I truly believe that it is the best way to train our dogs. It makes me incredibly sad that there are still some trainers and owners out there that rely heavily on punishment based training techniques, some of which I consider to be abusive.
I think it's
Please Comfort Your Dog When They Are Scared!
The other night we had our smoke alarm alert us to a low battery. It does this by going off and screaming about how the battery is low. It went off at bedtime. If you all remember, Phoenix was rescued from a house fire and she is terrified of the smoke detector. We have no idea how long she was in the house with a screaming smoke detector but it obviously left a lasting impression. She was
Keep Your Dog Busy and Engaged with the BUSTER Activity Mat
Hi everyone! I hope you're all having a great day! Today I have a review for you on an exciting new "puzzle toy" from BUSTER! My dogs absolutely love playing with puzzle toys and I highly recommend them for every dog owner. Puzzle toys are awesome because they work the mind and the body. They are wonderful to have on those awful winter days when it's raining too hard or it's too cold to
Our Top 3 Favorite Things to Train while Exercising! Positive Pet Training
Hi everyone! I hope you're all having a great day! Today I wanted to share with you our "Top 3 Favorite things to Train" while we are out exercising. If you've followed my blog at all you will know that one of my favorite parks that I take the girls to for exercise is over 1,000 acres and all but one of the trails is off leash. It's great to be able to allow them to run free but with that
Littermate Syndrome and the Importance of Getting Dogs Out Separately
When I was thinking about getting a second dog, someone told me "two are easier than one!" She was wrong, SO wrong. Let me tell you, two are not easier than one, especially if you get two littermates. (My two dogs are NOT littermates.) Sure, having two dogs and watching them cuddle and play is wonderful but it's not all rainbows and butterflies. Let me explain. Two dogs are actually three
Positive Does NOT mean Permissive
Recently a famous "self help" author posted this question on his facebook page:
"Any dog trainers out there? I'm all for positive-reinforcement dog
training, but most experts seem to dodge a major question: What can you
do when pups do something "bad" (e.g. chewing furniture, jumping up on
chairs, etc.), besides ignoring it? Re-directing is one way to get them
to temporarily stop, but
Clever Alternatives to Using Aversive Punishment in Dog Training
Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well! Today I decided to write about some alternatives to using aversive punishment in dog training. If you've read any of my previous posts you will know that I am a huge advocate for using Positive Reinforcement and Force Free Methods.
I would like to introduce you to the Progressive Reinforcement Manifesto by Emily Larlham. I do my best to try and
Expanding the Power of Positive at GDB By: Rebecca Hornick, Foster Care Coordinator
In order to create safe and happy working teams, the Training staff adopted a model of positive reinforcement training back in 2007 and since then, the results have been remarkable! Staff immediately saw how much more willing and adaptable the dogs were when food was used during crucial parts of training. Consequently, the dogs met the training goals faster than ever before. The Training Department's success triggered a new surge of interest in these positive training techniques and soon other staff and volunteers wondered what ways they could implement some of these methods to improve the work they do with all of our dogs. Naturally, our own Michele Pouliot, Director of Research and Development, answered the call! Michele and other members of management created a committee of various dog-related staff to discuss some short and long term goals regarding how to implement more positive reinforcement tools in all areas of dog care and management. We named this group the “R+ committee” and it is comprised of staff from both campuses – combined they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
An enlightening first step in the process was a seminar we attended at the Oregon Campus in January 2013 where the R+ committee and the Community Field Reps from Puppy Raising Department had the opportunity to be part of a hands on workshop with positive reinforcement training guru, Kathy Sdao (http://www.kathysdao.com). Here’s what the R+ committee members had to say about the workshop:
Sharon Kret, Puppy Program Specialist for Canine Community Programs:
“The workshop conducted by Kathy Sdao and Michele Pouliot helped to demonstrate the powerful and positive impact that these training techniques can have when working with our dogs and puppies at GDB. I walked away from the workshop feeling energized and excited about all the possibilities. It is a little overwhelming to think about all that we need to do and what we have yet to learn, but I am truly looking forward to the challenge.”
Jenna Bullis, Director of Breeding:
“Michele and Kathy were able to customize our training day to really address the things that were relevant in each of our departments. We all benefited from each other’s perspectives and it was awesome to see how excited and enthusiastic everyone is about using more positive reinforcement techniques in our program.”
Jeannine May, Canine Welfare Kennel Manager:
“I really appreciated the opportunity to be part of the Kathy Sdao workshop and get a chance to work with fellow staff from other departments that I don’t normally get to interact with! It’s super exciting to be part of a group that is expanding and maximizing the use of positive reinforcement throughout the organization. Kathy is a great presenter and I really look forward to incorporating some new ideas in the kennels with both staff and volunteers, and in the OR Foster Care Program.”
Pat Cook, Canine Resources Manager:
“The Community Field Representatives (CFRs) really enjoyed the opportunity to learn from Michele and Kathy Sdao, and were also very appreciative of the opportunity to work with staff from other CCP departments. It was a rare opportunity for field staff to work dogs alongside staff from Foster Care, Dog Placement, Breeding and Kennel department. The CFRs are very enthusiastic about the R+ project and excited at the direction Puppy Raising is taking! We were able to come up with lots of ideas for working with puppies in raiser homes. I look forward to the implementation over the next few years.”
Kathy Featherstone, Dog Placement Coordinator:
“I really enjoyed the combination of Kathy’s enthusiastic, insightful and scientific approach with positive training techniques, along with hands on practice throughout the two-day seminar. It allowed all participants to equally share in the experience and gain a better understanding of the methods that were discussed. It was very motivating and exciting to work alongside such a knowledgeable group of people!”
Kathleen Fischer, SR Kennel Supervisor:
“This was my first clicker workshop and it was fun and fascinating! Kathy and Michele made it look all so effortless. The hands on portions I found invaluable and it made me realize that the real challenge lies in training me!”
Rebecca Hornick, Foster Care Coordinator:
“This was a great educational opportunity for me since I love doing this type of training with personal dogs, but imagining the possibilities here with GDB dogs are limitless! The seminar and R+ committee discussions have helped me brainstorm about the many ways this type of training will benefit the huge variety of dogs that go in and out of Foster Care each year. I can’t wait to share some of these techniques with my pool of eager volunteers!”
Michele Pouliot, Director of Research and Development:
“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Kathy Sdao since 2006, when GDB’s Training Department began using her as a consultant for our change over to clicker training. In the past two years I have co-presented seminars with Kathy for the dog sport community and always learn something new from her wealth of knowledge.
Bringing Kathy back to GDB to help our Canine Community Programs (CCP) departments kick off their positive training project was not only a great idea (thanks Pat Cook!) but motivating for everyone present. This two-day seminar was extra special for GDB staff because it was tailored specifically for GDB’s R+ Project goals.
Now that you know the members and purpose of the R+ Committee, please don’t hesitate to ask us questions, make suggestions and generally celebrate with us as we take GDB staff and other dog care constituents to an even greater level of dog handling, training and management. The dogs are already thanking us!
