Fetch is one of the most heated topics in dog training: some guardians see it as an easy way to exercise a dog, while others (rightly) argue that it causes injuries and fuels unhealthy obsession. The discussion is often polarized but in reality the question of fetch is far more nuanced
Category Archives: Training
Reframing ADHD in dogs from a compassionate perspective
The discussion of ADHD-like behaviors in dogs has sparked debate, with Behavior Vets’ approach drawing criticism for overlooking the social and emotional dimensions of ADHD. Liza Rader’s open letter emphasized avoiding pathologizing and suppressing natural traits in dogs, paralleling the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD. A more empathetic understanding is needed, recognizing the context and natural inclinations of both dogs and individuals with ADHD. This shift from labeling and suppression to acceptance and support can create compassionate, effective, and ethical approaches in both dog training and human support.
Decoding dog training philosophies: Planet Compliance vs. Planet Partnership
This article explores the ideological divide in dog training, contrasting traditional compliance-based methods with the emerging partnership-based approach. Inspired by Maya Badham’s “Planets” concept, it delves into the philosophical underpinnings, challenges of transitioning mindsets, and broader societal influences shaping dog training practices. Ultimately, it emphasizes the transformative power of empathy and respect in building a deep human-dog connection.
The evil ball thrower
The use of ball throwers for dogs is controversial, as repetitive throwing can cause harm. Despite this, they can be beneficial for certain activities on walks, providing mental and physical exercise. Throwers allow for longer throws and unpredictable trajectories, engaging the dog’s senses and reducing the risk of injury. Consider their constructive potential.
Teaching a puppy to walk in a retractable leash
I’ve seen probably hundreds of claims about how flexi leashes “make your dog pull”. Unfortunately, universal statements without caveats are easily falsifiable… you only need one black swan to prove not all swans are white, so I wanted to show that a retractable lead does not automatically make or teach a dog to pull andContinueContinue reading “Teaching a puppy to walk in a retractable leash”
Sniffing for treats as a tool
Searching for treats on cue is a very useful behaviour for a dog to learn – it’s an example of a cusp behaviour, which means it broadens the dog’s behavioural repertoire and opens up the possibility for learning other behaviours. This is why I was doing it with Grace’s puppies from an early age soContinueContinue reading “Sniffing for treats as a tool”
Thoughts and tips on puppy exercise + book recommendation
I recently started re-reading a book I bought a while ago called “How to Build a Puppy” and stumbled on some interesting stuff, so I posted about it on our kennel’s Instagram account and thought it would be useful to share on the blog too. Since I only thought of sharing it here afterwards, here’sContinueContinue reading “Thoughts and tips on puppy exercise + book recommendation”
Puppy training 101: disengaging from humans
For one reason or another, Astra has found humans mesmerising for a long time – not just hypergreeting in close proximity like Nell, but intentionally seeking them out, as you can see here. I’ve been working on this consistently on every walk, and to be honest, it’s quite frustrating for me after living with Grace,ContinueContinue reading “Puppy training 101: disengaging from humans”
Training puppies to disengage and recall
Disengaging from distractions is perhaps THE most important life skill for a puppy, and the sooner they learn, the better. Of course, their brains are not yet capable of a lot of things – impulse control being one of them, because the parts of the brain that control activation develop faster than the parts thatContinueContinue reading “Training puppies to disengage and recall”
Building curiosity and confidence in search
I’m quite opportunistic when it comes to training. What I mean is that I try to look at the environment on walks through the dog’s eyes and take training opportunities as and when I see them. In this case, our local forest is full of branches fallen after the big storm a few weeks ago,ContinueContinue reading “Building curiosity and confidence in search”
BusyDoggie 