Dog Training Tips from Clicker Training Experts

Seminars for Dog Trainers

admin — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:44:06 +0000

Here are some upcoming seminars for dog trainers - clicker training and other positive reinforcement dog trainers. �Continuing education is the way to go!

Clicker Expo

Kathy Sdao and Pia Silvani in Seattle, Washington State

Jesus Rosales Ruiz in Sequim, Washington State (Constructional Aggression Treatment)

APDT Conference in San Francisco, California

Patricia McConnell in Seattle, Washington State

Dog Custody Battles

admin — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:44:21 +0000

Last month, I was contacted by a lawyer that was disputing a dog custody battle. The argument that she needed me to make is that one dog does not replace another. I have to agree with that, but I also wanted to add my two cents, in terms of logic and in real life.

Let’s call these divorcing dog lovers Chris and Terry. At the time of separation, Chris and Terry had one dog, Fido, and decided to share custody. While they were separated, Chris got an additional dog, Spot.

Now, they are divorcing, and both want full custody of Fido. Terry’s claim to Fido is that dogs are interchangeable: Chris already has a dog, so Fido should go to Terry. Let’s dissect this claim, logically.

Terry’s claim is that Chris has replaced Fido with Spot. But the crux of that argument is that dogs are replaceable, so Terry could get another dog to replace Fido, too. Hence, there’s no reason to argue over Fido. He could be assigned a market value and split accordingly.

Restated, Terry’s battle for Fido seems to be based on the premise that Fido is unique, yet the basis of Terry’s argument, dog interchangeability, contradicts this. Dog interchangeability is not a logical argument in a custody battle for a dog.

There needs to be another argument about who gets the dog after their divorce.

Now I lose the logician and speak as a dog trainer. Custody of the dog should be based on what’s best for the dog and then, what’s best for the people.

Dogs are not televisions or cell phones.

I understand that, under the law, dogs are property, but I think whoever makes the dog the happiest should get the dog. If that’s both humans, then joint custody is great. If it’s just one human that makes the dog happy, versus shuttling back and forth, then so be it. A dog’s life is too short to put our happiness over theirs. If the dog is equally happy at both homes, then you can decide based on human issues, like who needs the dog most.

Clicker Training Video

admin — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:27:18 +0000

This clicker training how-to video is an excerpt of Virginia Broitman’s Take a Bow Wow video. It’s a free demo of clicker training basics, and how you can use clicker training to teach your dog anything! Another great video of hers is the How of Bow Wow.

How Often Does a Dog Need Shots?

admin — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 01:01:15 +0000

Some veterinarians urge clients to get annual re-vaccination. Why? Is it needed? Is it dangerous? Many experts say no to the first question and yes to the second. Our current vaccination protocols are just based on the guesses that were made when the vaccines first came out. Dogs are likely to be protected for their entire lives, rather than yearly.

Personally, I use titers for my dog - the vet can test to see if there is enough of the antibody present, and if there is, they probably don’t need re-vaccination. Titers are sufficient proof for most dog training classes.

Don’t trust me? The following quote is from the Current Veterinary Therapy, volume XI (1992). The CVT is a very well respected, peer-reviewed book that is updated every four years. The authors of the article are veterinary immunologists Ronald Schultz from the University of Wisconsin and Tom Phillips from the Scrips Research Institute.

“A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccination. Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal…… Furthermore, revaccination with most viral vaccines fails to stimulate an anamnestic (secondary) response…. The practice of annual vaccination in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy…”

EEk! Vaccines aren’t free, to the person paying for them or for the dog receiving them. They are not without danger, and shouldn’t be given willy-nilly.

Clik Stik: Target Stick and Clicker in One!

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 02:38:24 +0000

I have to dog geek out for a bit. I do a lot of target training, and to have a clicker and a target stick in the same place is just great - no more fumbling. I love the Clik Stik. The clicker on the Clik Stik is quieter than a regular clicker, though not as quiet as the i-clicks.

They sell the Clik Stik at DoggieZen.com and PetExpertise.com

A New Dog For the Kids

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:55:52 +0000

Getting a new dog or puppy for your kids? Here are ten useful tips to make things work out between your dog and your kids!

In addition to this list, getting a good book on dogs and kids is a great idea. Involve your kids in the training process, in a positive way. Expect some bumps and turns along the way, but if you ever don’t feel safe, please hire a professional to integrate your dogs and kids.

All training for the dog should be based on positive reinforcement, rather than punishment. Expect your dog training to spill over to how your kids interact with you or other kids, and how you parent. Click here to find a positive dog trainer.
If you have a puppy, enroll in puppy class right away. Puppies can often start puppy class around 8-10 weeks old. Clicker training works well on all dogs, but especially puppies!
Take a dog training class at a facility that allows kids. Or if your kids are too young and might distract you or the dog, get a sitter and teach the kids at home.
Involve your kids in the training. It’s good for the kids and teaches the dog that kids aren’t littermates.
Set boundaries for the dog, but not in a rough way. Have the dog sit before meals, wait at doors & at the top of the stairs, etc.
Set boundaries for the kids, too. Teach your kids how to pet (and how not to pet) the dog.
Teach the dog to take treats gently, and teach children how to help that continue.
Desensitize the dog to things the kids might accidentally do, while also teaching the kids to not do those things. Your children’s friends may not know the rules, so teach them too! Here are some things that dogs don’t usually like kids to do to them.
- Hugs
- Kisses
- Tail pulls
- Taking food & toys away
- Screaming, running, etc.
- Your dog may have some other things they are afraid of, too.
Unless it’s a calm, older dog, don’t leave dogs alone with children under 7. Even then, the child may create a bad situation by pulling the tail, hugging the dog.
Have appropriate chewies for the dog and teach him/her to leave the kids toys alone. You can put a scent on the dog’s toys to make it clearer (vanilla works).
Bonus Idea: Teach the dog “Excuse me” which means move out of the way. Simply say, “Excuse me” and shuffle your feet through the dog. Have the adults teach the dog first, then transfer to the children.

Clicker Training Videos

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:26:55 +0000

I just saw a great dog training video, from one of our contributing dog trainers, showing how effective clicker training can be. The video is of a dog that’s reliable even with other dogs for distractions at at the dog park. Check out the clicker dog training video here. Or view this post for more videos.

Video Intro To Clicker Training:

Another Video Intro To Clicker Training:Video of a Dog Learning to Close a Drawer Using Clicker Training:
Video of Clicker Trained Horses:

Any animal that eats (which is all of them) can be clicker trained!

Boy Puppy Names

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:16:01 +0000

Getting a new boy Puppy? What are you going to name your puppy? Here’s a list of cute Male Puppy Names. Enjoy! Pick a cute name - Puppy will have to live with it! This list is the names of boy puppies and dogs from my training classes over the course of a few months, so there are name repetitions, which tells you the popularity of each male puppy name in 2006.

Andouille

Angus

Anzu

Apollo

Argos

Arlo

Aslan

Atticus

Avery

Bailey

Baker

Bamse

Banjo

Barnaby

Beamer

Bella

Ben

Benji

Benny

Benson

Bentley

Bijou

Bjorn

Bodhi

Bombay

Bosco

Brady

Bramble

Brec

Brock

Brodie

Brody

Bruce Lee

Bruno

Buddy

BUDDY

Buster

buster

Caesar

Caleb

Cash

Chance

Charley

Charlie

Chaucer

Chaz

Chewey

Chops

Ciaran

Clyde

Cody

Cooper

Cosmo

D.J.

Darby

Django

Doc

Dugan

Duke

Duman

Dutch

Easy

Eddie

Edgar

Elmer

Ernest

Fairmount

Fawkes

Fenway

Finn

Finnegan

Fiver

Flip

fozzie

Francis

George

Gunner

Gunther

Gus

hamilton

Hank

Harry

Harvey

Henny

Henry

Hogan

Howard

Huckleberry Finn

Ivan

Jack

JACK

Jack

Jackson

Jagger

Jake

Jasper

Jessie

Kadin

Keegan

Kekoa

Kendall

Kenshin

Kirin

Kobe

Koda

Kodiak

Kojo

Kozmo

Lamar

Lambeau

Larry

Leo

Leonard

Levi

Louis

Lucca

Lucio

Lucky

Luke

Luther

Maarten

Mack

Mason

Milo

Monte

Moose

Moses

Murphey

Murphy

Murray

Nemo

Nigel

Nigel Peanut Sullivan (Sully)

Norm

Norman

Obi

Oliver

Oliver Max

Ollie

Omar

Oscar

Otis

Pablo

pablo

Pappy

Parker

Peanut

Pete

Peyton

Poggin

Prancer

Quinn

Raider

Reggie

Rigel

Riggs

riley

Riley

Rilke

Roc

Rocco Romeo Davinci

Rocky

Romeo

Ronan

Roofus

Roscoe

Rudy

Rufus

Rupert

Sauce

Schroeder

Scout

Seamus

Shadow

Sherman

Shuksan

Simon

Skipper

Skippy

SnowFlake

Soma

Sport

Spot

Sprocket

Spud

Stewart

Stretch

Suka

Tank

Ted

Tender

Tiger

Titan

Tobe

Toby

Tocho

Togo

Toki

Toko

Tripper

Tucker

Tundra

Tyson

Walter

Wilbur

Wilson

Winston

Woody

Wyatt

Yogi

Yoshi

Yukon

zale

Ziggy

Girl Puppy Names

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 03:13:25 +0000

New Girl Puppy? What’s the cutest name your female puppy? Here’s a list of Female Puppy Names from my classes. Enjoy! This list is the names of female puppies and dogs from my training classes from a few months in 2006, so there are name repetitions, which tells you the popularity of each female puppy name in 2006.

Abby

Aero

Alexi

Alice

Allegra

Allie

Ally

Amber

Andi

Angelina

Annah

Annie

Archie

Athena

Bailey

Barley

Bella

Betty

BOO

Breda

Brook

Bunny

Callie

Candy

Cashel

Cassie

Caya

Ceilidh

Charlotte

Cheddar

Chibi

Chloe

Coach

CoCo

Coco

Copper

Crazy Mary

Dahlia

Daisy

Delia

Delta

Denali

Dolly

Don’t know yet

Dora

Dot

Dribbles

Dusty

Eclair

Edie

Elfie

Ellie

Emerson

Eva

Gaabie

Gabby

Gabie

Gatsby

Gemma

Georgia

Gertie

Ginger

Grace

Gracie

Greta

Gusti

Gypsy

Hannah Bear Glatzel

Hazel Acorn

Hersey

Hillary

Holly

Iris

Isabella

Izabelle

Izzy

Jack O’Neill

Jasmine

Jazzy

Jelly

Jezebel

Jinjer

Joey

JoJo

Julep

Juniper

Juno

Kazan

Keia

Kema

Kilala

Kitzi

Kona

Lacey

Lainee

Layla

Lilly

Lilo

Lilu

Lily

Linty

Lizzie

Lizzy

Lola

Lou

Luca

Luci

Lucy

Luli

Lulu

Luna

Luxa

Lyllie

Mabel

Maddie

Maddy

Madison (Maddie)

Madra

Mae

Maggie

Magic

Maisie

Makena

Maple

Marley

Marzipan

Maya

Megan Lingafelter

Meiko

Mercedes

mika (pronounced mee ka)

Mikah

Misha

Mochi

Moose

Namas

Neah

Nina

Noodle

Nutmeg

Opa

Osa

Oscar

Paisley

Pebbles

Penny

Perl

Piper

pokey

Poppy

Princess

Puppy

Pyewacket

Riley

Ronnie

Rosie

Roxie

roxy

Roxy

Ruby

Saba

Sadie

Sallie

Sapphire

Sasha

Saydee

Scout

Shadow

Shirley

Shona

Snack

Sophie

Sota

Stella

Sugar

Tammy Faye

Tara

Tasha

Tashi

Tasi

Thistle

Tippi

Winnie

Yoda

Zarah

Zelda

Zia

Ziggy

Zoe

Zoey

Zoli Micron

Anni

Rubie

What is Clicker Training?

admin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:43:52 +0000

The clicker makes a distinctive sound when you press on it. It tells your dog “Yes, that is what I want you to do,” and it promises her a reward for a job well done. The clicker acts like the shutter of a camera, marking the exact moment she has done what you like. If you don’t like using gadgets, or can’t use a clicker for some other reason, you can use a marker word, like “YES” to tell the dog when it’s done something you like. Click here for more info on clicker training.