Dog Training - No, YOU Stay!
November 17, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Dogs have a significant capacity for training their trainers. Apart from making us wave our hands and bark odd words, we regularly fetch treats and run after tennis balls. Not useful to us, but the dog enjoys it. Read more
Dog Training - No, YOU Sit!
November 17, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Dogs can learn an amazing variety of behaviors, but few so fundamentally important as the ’sit’. Beyond the basic need to establish that the human of the pair is the alpha (leader), it has a number of practical benefits. Read more
Dog Training - No, YOU Down!
November 17, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
‘Nature to be commanded, must be obeyed’ said Francis Bacon. Nowhere more true than dog training. Dogs have a natural tendency to seek and adhere to a hierarchy with an alpha (leader) at the top on down to an omega at the bottom. ‘Down’ is one effective technique for enforcing your alpha status. Read more
Dog Training - No, YOU Come!
November 17, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Dogs aren’t really stubborn. But they often don’t clearly know what’s wanted. Make it clear by quickly establishing alpha (dominant leader) status. Be willing to exercise the patience and modest, firm force to get the desired behavior. This can be particularly challenging when training a ‘come’. Read more
Dog Training - Finding a Trainer
November 17, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Many people don’t have the time, energy or patience to devote to dog training. Few other activities require as much, if the result is to be a safe, well-adjusted dog and a happy human. For some, the answer is to outsource the effort to a professional trainer. Read more
Problem Dogs Are Made, Not Born
November 16, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
The personality of the canine develops most radically between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks. What the average family dog will eventually turn out to be is determined by the environment in which the puppy lives during that critical emotional time period. Read more
Q & A: A Timid German Shepherd
November 16, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Question: A Timid German Shepherd
“I have an 11-month-old German Shepherd. We got him from a private breeder at the age of 8 weeks. He was a very happy puppy, and to this day he has never been beaten (at least that I know of). But now, he’s such an introvert that it’s pitiful! He’s scared to death of everybody except for my family and myself. We live on a carnation ranch so he shouldn’t really be too bashful – there are always people around; but still, he’s scared. Can you tell me what to do, and why he does this?” Read more
Q & A: Mixed Obedience Behavior After Dog Training
November 16, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Question: Mixed Obedience Behavior After Training
“My two-year-old male mixed breed is enrolled in an obedience training class. As far as I’m concerned, my dog is learning just fine, because, at home, he goes through all of the exercises perfectly. He knows how to heel, sit, stay, and lay down on command, but when I take him to class each week, it’s as if he’s never learned a thing.” Read more
Q & A: Is My Dog Too Old For Obedience Class?
November 16, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Question: Too Old For Training?
“My dog is thirteen years old, quite healthy, with no obvious physical defects. I was refused enrollment in an obedience class by a woman trainer who said that a thirteen-year-old dog couldn’t be trained. This trainer is quite well known and has authored several books. I simply cannot accept the fact that thirteen calendar years is a criteria for training. What do you think?” Read more
Q & A: Dog Obedience Through Hot Sauce
November 16, 2008 by Austin Pawers · Leave a Comment
Question: Obedience Through Hot Sauce?
“I’ve heard that pouring hot sauce on a piece of meat will teach a dog to ignore any food found lying on the ground. Is this practice of obedience acceptable? And is it safe?” Read more
