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...
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
Traveling: If you are driving, for the most part, power through and just worry about getting there. If it's a longer drive, be sure to give your dog potty breaks as needed. For really long trips, on potty breaks make sure to give your dog time to stretch their legs...
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...
Puppy Survival Guide!!!
Rachel and Shanthi run the puppy training and socialization course at NWA School for Dogs. Here are the most commonly asked questions and their answers. Potty Training Understanding puppy development -what can they do by what age Physical development of the muscles...