How to fill a kong

June 26, 2022

So many dog behavior “problems” can be solved simply by meeting your dog’s needs. Dogs are scavengers and foragers (part of what might have brought our two species together in the first place). In our homes one of the easiest ways to provide mental enrichment and fulfill your dog’s need to provide them safe, sanctioned opportunities to scavenge (not to mention, lick, sniff, and chew which are also behaviors essential to a dog’s well being) through the use of food toys and puzzles.

Kongs are one of the most well known food toys, you can freeze them, fill and layer them with kibble, treats, wet food, etc. there are tons of fun “recipes” online. Just a large plastic juice bottle with the end trimmed off can act as a funnel. It’s so simple but this DIY tool has been game changing for filling and prepping Kongs for both of my dogs.

How do you say “no” when training a dog?

April 14, 2022

The short answer is - we don’t! Positive reinforcement trainers would rather teach a dog what to do rather than tell them what not to do. The long answer has to do with why we avoid punishment altogether-

Punishment is anything that an animal will work to avoid. It doesn’t have to be particularly painful or forceful to have a punishing effect.

There’s evidence that dogs learn by association. Because we can’t communicate with them in a complex way through language it’s difficult to tell them exactly what behavior is being punished. When you punish a behavior you run the risk of the dog developing negative feelings towards (and potentially more distressing or dangerous behaviors in response to) anything in the environment, including anyone who is around, the time of day, sounds they’re hearing etc. etc.

Undesirable behavior is an opportunity for reflection - how can you set up the environment better in the future to prevent it? What skills do you need to work on with your dog? etc.

What to expect in your first training session

April 13, 2022

Training is a a lifelong process, and all about building a trusting relationship between you and your dog. In our first session we will establish a plan that works for you and your dog and I’ll coach you in how to modify your dog’s undesirable behavior (or teach them new skills). My goal is to offer my insight and experience and to give you the skills to respond to and troubleshoot your dog’s behavior even when I’m not there.

What a typical first training session looks like -

I will arrive at your house (you don’t have to prepare it in any special way). First, we’ll have a conversation about your dog and your goals for them and your relationship with them. I’ll already have a sense of what you’d like to work on from your intake form but this will give me a chance to observe your dog in your home and clarify any details I need to.

I will take notes during our conversation and throughout the session that I can refer to when writing your training plan.

I may offer some suggestions for management (ways of setting up the environment to encourage desirable behavior and prevent undesirable behavior) that require no training at all and which you can implement right away.

I will explain the behaviors we can teach that will be relevant to your situation. I will demonstrate those behaviors with your dog and then give you a chance to practice. I’ll offer feedback and you can practice again to refine your training.

If you learn better in a different way I’m happy to accommodate! We can discuss alternatives ahead of time. If there are certain ways you prefer to receive feedback or if you don’t feel comfortable practicing in the moment I would love to know! Private training sessions are customized to each learner.

After our session (within 3 days) I will email you with a written training plan. Training plans will contain a summary and notes from our visit, detailed descriptions of the behaviors I demonstrated and ones I recommend, notes on how to progress your training and what you might expect moving forward. If applicable I will link to further resources.

Your session will also include (within 3 weeks of our meeting) one additional follow up email (with reasonable replies on necessary details) or a 20 minute call to ask further questions and discuss your progress.

From there you are welcome to purchase and schedule additional follow up sessions. If you book multiple sessions at once I’m happy to offer a discount on those services. Follow up sessions can be flexible in length (1 hour - 30 minutes) depending on your needs.

Virtual sessions - Look just the same as in person sessions, we’ll have a conversation, I’ll make recommendations and explain behaviors, then I’ll demonstrate with my dog at home or I’ll coach you through the exercises verbally with your dog. You’ll need a computer with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection.

How I teach humans and dogs and why

April 13, 2022

I train animals using evidence based, positive reinforcement methods that follow LIMA guidelines and the humane hierarchy. I will never use force or coercion to teach your dog.

What is positive reinforcement and how does it work?

Any behavior an animal does that provides a desirable outcome is more likely to happen again. We provide dogs with things they like (such as treats, praise, and play) in a strategic way that makes the behaviors we like and want to see more of happen more often.

“Marker training” or “clicker training” is a technique used by positive reinforcement trainers. The sound of a clicker (a little handheld device that makes the same click noise every time you press it) or a marker word like “Yes!” or a hand signal or touch for deaf or blind animals, is used to indicate to the learner that reinforcement (like a treat) is on its way. This can allow the trainer to mark the exact moment the animal does something we like and to deliver reinforcement in a precise way for exactly the right behaviors.

In dog training this can look like luring or prompting a dog to do a behavior, or waiting until they do it on their own, marking the behavior, and then providing reinforcement (often by feeding a food treat).

Positive Reinforcement trainers set up the environment ahead of time so that the behaviors they want are more likely to happen and so they can prevent the behaviors they don’t want from ever happening.

For example, while we’re teaching a dog not to jump up for greetings we’ll keep the dog on a leash or behind a gate to prevent the jumping from working to get them what they want and therefore being reinforced.

Everything we teach is broken down into the smallest component steps and we start in the least distracting environments. Think of it as going from Kindergarten all the way through college.

Why positive reinforcement?

Force free training creates trust between human and non-human teachers and learners and helps a dog learn that their behavior has an affect on the world around them. They learn that “good” behavior (by the teacher’s standards) can get them what they want more efficiently and predictably than undesirable behaviors.

Shopping! Some products I couldn't live without

April 12, 2022

Toppl by West Paw I’m all about any and all work to eat toys and this is a great, easy to clean, easy to eat from options. Some dogs/guardian prefer it to the old classic Kong

Snuffle Mats This is one of my all time faves, snuffle mats (or a towel rolled up with treats inside for a DIY version) provide super easy enrichment at mealtime/snack time when you’re feeling a little lazy and don’t want to do a lot of prep. They’re a great way to get your dog sniffing

Biothane leashes and long lines They stay clean when you’re letting your dog drag them and they have a nice feeling in the hand on neighborhood walks too. I love these ones by Off Road K9 on Etsy because the shop doesn’t sell any aversive tools or accessories

Swiss hunting dog bell This is an essential for my mental health when the dogs are off leash in nature and I love the classic style

Balance Harness by Blue 9 I like this harness for dogs that are head shy (it buckles around the neck), it has front and back clip options and allows for a full range of motion, plus it’s super adjustable so it’s easy to size

School for The Dogs Training Treat Pouch This is seriously the best treat pouch I’ve ever used. period.

Clickers I buy a small bulk bag or two at a time because this is the one training tool I use that always just seems to wander away

Reusable food pouches Fill them with wet dog food, peanut butter, cream cheese etc. to keep super high value treats on hand (plus you can keep your gloves on in winter when you reward your dog!)