Instincts and Drive in Dogs. I was on week 2 of a private training session. I thought things were going very well. The owners were responding, and even having fun. Their Abby, an eight month old boarder collie, was responding well. I could see the joy returning to her eyes. In the initial intake the owners expressed pride that they had a working bloodline dog. They described in length how Abby’s mom herded sheep around…   Continue

  Reactivity isn’t a training thing. It isn’t a ‘bad dog thing’ It isn’t a ‘bad training’ thing It isn’t a complicated thing. Recipe for a Reactive Dog Lack of socializing and mental stimulation 2 – 12 weeks. Being taught to fear walking/people/dogs 8 – 20 weeks. Bad Genetics Bad Food Pain Environment   The problem with a reactive dog is that many dog trainers have tunnel vision. They look at only one aspect of…   Continue

Puppy biting and Hyper Behavior is a problem for many puppy owners. Dr Ian Dunbar, one of the foremost canine behavior experts in the world, does not find the term aggression helpful in diagnosing and correcting the problem. Part of the problem is that people believe that any dog that bites, growls, or backs away (stress/fear) is aggressive, or going to be aggressive. Without understanding this is normal dog communication. The second part of the problem…   Continue

Winter Weather – please text the number at the top of this page to make sure we are not closed due to weather. Monday 6pm – Canine Parkour, Core Training, Dance 6pm – Competition Rally (area 2) 7pm – Urban Heeling and Obedience Tuesday  6pm – Heeling and Rally ‘learn the moves’ 7pm – Reactive Dog Socialization Wednesday 6pm – Functional Puppy Life Skills – Open to older dogs in second area who want to…   Continue

Puppy Socializing 8 – 20 Weeks You have been exposing your puppy to new environments, new smells, new challenges. Each one should have been age appropriate. None should have frightened or stressed your puppy. Each ‘adventure’ should have been a happy one, ending in a good nap (latent learning). Puppies habituate to things very quickly, so the third or fourth exposure is no longer socializing. Don’t worry if your puppy is Wary. This is normal….   Continue