This is the second installment of front door chaos or lack of it – hopefully. The following advice is for people whose dogs tend to get over excited when someone comes to their home because they love interacting with people and not because they are concerned about who is in their home or dogs that…
Category: Basic Obedience
Anti-pull gear
As a continuation from last week’s post I want to review some of the most popular gear to help minimize (or not) dog-pulling on leash. When deciding what kind of equipment to use, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. 1. Efficacy of the equipment 2. Comfort level for the dog 3. Ability of the person(s)…
Stop Choking the Dog!
I am sitting at a local restaurant just watching the world go by as we wait for the food to arrive. I spot an older man with a youngish Golden Retriever. It appears they are both going for a walk. The dog is in close proximity of the owner and occasionally moves away from the…
Some Thoughts on Training with Positive Reinforcement
In a world full of buzz-words and marketing messages, it sure pays off to put on the breaks every now and then to reassess what we mean behind marketing messages such as training with “positive” techniques and even our own philosophies. The term “positive reinforcement” is one of those terms that needs clarification. In essence,…
Give them what they want
I am taking one of our usual hikes with Deuce and Rio with a friend who is visiting from out of town. It is normally John who takes this walk with them, but it is my turn to walk them with him being away. We exit our property and before I have time to think…
Dog Training Classes Starting July 2015
We’re excited to inform you that C.H.A.C.O. Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC., which is located in Tesuque – 15 min. North from Santa Fe, NM, has some wonderful upcoming dog training classes starting in July! Here are some of the details for the upcoming classes: Kinder Pup 1: Your puppy’s proper socialization should start pronto!…
Playing Footsy
Do you have aspirations of remaining young for a long, long time? If so, then consider getting a playful pup. I have noticed that one of the best things my dogs contribute to my life and me being active is their spontaneity. Dogs have an amazing ability to entertain themselves and to taunt us into…
Does Snake-Avoidance Training Work?
In many parts of the country, Spring is the opening of months for snake sightings and dog owners the world over concern over their dogs being bitten by one. Some folks submit their dogs on a yearly basis to Snake-avoidance training. Their rational being that it’s best to have their dog zapped in the presence…
More Training at the Front Door
For some dogs impulse control at the front door is literally mission impossible. Rio is one of those dogs! Her impulse control in other circumstances such as waiting to be released to go after a toy is superb. The reason behind the lack of impulse control at the front door could be for a myriad…
Is giving praise good enough?
Recently I was asked in class by a participant if she could stop using treats and instead praise her dog to motivate her to do the behaviors they were learning. I know that every single trainer that uses food as a reinforcer has heard this same question thousands of times. A different variation to the…