7 Mistakes You’re Making In Behavior Modification

I found a really cool article on Sacramento Dog Behavior on the 7 common mistakes people make in their Behavior Modification work. It’s really interesting. Check it out: 7 Mistakes You’re Making In Behavior Modification YOU’RE TOO CLOSE Are you afraid of spiders? Me too. But I’m not running around and screaming because of the freakishly large spiders in South …

Meditation For Dogs?

Impulse control is one of the most common problems with “problematic dogs”.  They see the squirrel/postman/dog/bike, and they are gone. You do not exist to them anymore. And, the typical training responses are: A- Correct them big enough so they will listen B-  If you get a high enough value treat, they would listen. C- If they “respected” you, they …

The Only Rehabilitation Philosophy You’ll Ever Need

From the Pack To Basics Facebook page: There is lot of talk about dog rehabilitation these days. We used to just call it dog training, but now we have a fancier word for it; makes it sound more important, difficult and complex I suppose. Nothing wrong with that. But in the end, no matter what methods you are using the …

Calming Signal Or Stress Signal

Apparently, there’s a little “controversy” going on regarding “calming” signals. Some people call them calming signals, and mean that they are signals that the dog is calming down. As in, they are self soothing, and those are the “tells”. Other people say that they are “stress” signals. As in, the dog is worried and feeling anxious, and those signs are …

Freeeeeedom (think braveheart)

Chad Mackin, renowned dog rehabilitation expert, told me once that “The slack leash should be the primary reinforcer”. I know from my stints of wasted time at the various correctional facilities of my youth, that being restrained is infuriating. The problem is, the way most people use the leash, it is strictly a device of restraint. It keeps them from …