What is clicker training
What is clicker training? “Clicker training” is the popular term for the training or teaching method based on what we know about how living organisms learn. Research has shown that any creature—whether a dog, cat, dolphin, parrot, fish, horse, llama, or person—is more...
Leash Foundations
*This was written many years ago when the school was at a facility with cement floors that we could use sidewalk chalk on. Nowadays, our high tech waterproof floors don't work with chalk so we ask our students stand perfectly still and reward their dog for paws being...
Lockdown!! A detailed protocol for potty training difficult dogs.
“Lockdown” Protocol for housebreaking adult/problematic dogs. Most people that contact me regarding this protocol are at the point where they’re ready to get rid of their dogs because this behavior has become so problematic. Most dogs are over 2 years old and have...
Training tips
1,000 clicks Reward quickly and often! Dogs will offer behaviors that are highly rewarded. If you reward your dog for sitting in front of you every time they want attention, they'll sit instead of jump on you! I say it's 1,000 clicks to emphasize the high rate of...
The monster in the room
Storytime with Shanthi kiddos. Got another one for you. Question: How do I get my dog to stop barking at (insert thing here like cars, people, dogs)? I scold them for it and tell them to ignore it but they won’t stop. Are you afraid of anything? Me, I’m...
Looking for the Good
As humans, we tend to be predisposed to looking for “bad” things" as a side effect of living in a punitive society. If someone steals your wallet, you’re going to notice right away and want them punished for doing something morally wrong. Whereas if you leave your...
Intuition or Protocols?
I had two separate clients talking about playing fetch with their dogs today. They both have the issue that their dog won’t let the ball go or let them get it to throw again. Both dogs also have an issue with being easily aroused (read that however you want...
First Week with a New Puppy
As a trainer I’ve done my fair share of work with young puppies - whether it’s raising them for myself and other people or helping clients with their new pups. I just brought home a new puppy and he’s given me the perfect opportunity to really discuss puppy raising in...
Dogs don’t want to bite!
By Shanthi Steddum, KPA-CTP, CCPDT-KA, B.S. So I had an interesting, but not unique, encounter the other day. While picking up lunch, someone saw my logo’d jacket and asked if I worked at the School for Dogs. “Why yes I do!” I replied. “What kind of...
Holiday Travel Tips
With the Holiday Season comes a lot of traveling, whether it’s to visit family and friends or you’re just taking a little vacation time. If you’re opting to bring your pup along, here are our recommendations! First let’s talk about car travel! Fairly short drives...
Cueing Behaviors
What is a cue When we're talking about dog training, a cue is essentially anything that elicits a behavior from an animal - it can be something in the environment, a physical movement you do, or a word you say to them. When to add a verbal cue We don’t want to name...
Adolescence Survival Guide
Puppies are great! Adorable little sponges that (typically) want to be near you instead of venturing far away, learn new behaviors fairly quickly, recall pretty well, and seem to learn so much in those first few precious months home. And then they hit 6 months and...
Puppy Socialization
All About Socialization By Rachel Moseley The critical socialization period for puppies is between 3-12 weeks of age. Ideally the breeder you’ve gotten your puppy from has started this for you with carefully planned exposures and socialization opportunities prior to...
Top 5 Reasons to Crate Train Your Dog
By Rachel Moseley 1. Potty Training When you are house training a dog, the most important thing you can do is control their access and therefore their ability to make mistakes (have accidents) on your nice floors. One of the ways to do this is by utilizing a crate...