The Dog's Way Podcast: Dog Training for Real Life

In this episode I talk about natural transitional rewards. Many may not have heard the term, but a lot of you may have used them in the training of your dog whether you realize it or not. If you want to do a real dive into the behavioral part of training, I encourage you to listen to my two episodes on conditioning - Session 73: Skinner's Four Quadrants Part One, and Session 74: Skinner's Four Quadrants Part Two. I'll talk about the conditioning baked into every day interactions with your dog (like the feeding ritual). The same thing goes for when we are preparing for a walk. Those rituals can be a good thing. But it's it's more than simply the obedience skill you're teaching - it's the nervous system state that is occurring during that sit/stay and from the moment that you give the command to "break free" or say "all done". I'll describe how those commands and practices get embedded in their head, and how that fixation needs to be inhibited in certain instances. Here are a couple of other instances where you might practically use this training; Preparing for a walk Preparing for feeding time The "Getting out of a car" ritual Going through the front door ritual Going through the gate at the dog park ritual I'll talk about how sometimes we unintentionally signal to our dog when we reward certain types of gregarious responses is "I love it when you freak out and run around when I do this action!" Identifying those habits is a real eye-opener to what you might want to consider adjusting during these routines. Meet Our New Sponsor! By the way, a couple of things that I wanted to mention to you. First, we have a new sponsor of the podcast! It can be so frustrating trying to find the right insurance for your dog! My new sponsor, The Swiftest, can help you compare different types of policies and quotes for your pet to make sure you get the best value for your pet! Click here for the 6 Best Pet Insurance Plans Compared for 2023. (full disclosure – this is an affiliate link, and we'll make a few bucks if you decide that the pet insurance that the folks at The Swiftest have recommended is right for you.) The Dog's Way Affiliate Program Also, I sincerely appreciate all of those who have referred my video series to friends!  Here's how you can make some money by referring the Online Video course to folks: Affiliates Resources - The Dog's Way (thedogsway.com) This process will be very straightforward if you are familiar with the Click Bank Affiliate platform.  If you need help signing up with Click Bank and finding the course, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that will walk you through how to do that.  If you need some assistance with the process, feel free to email me directly via the link below: Contact Page - The Dog's Way (thedogsway.com)  

In this episode, I dive into the world of teen puppy training, and exploring the challenges and rewards of raising a well-behaved canine companion. Whether you're a new or experienced dog owner, join me as I discuss some tactics for a successful training journey. The Teenage Phase of Puppy Training During the teenage phase of puppy training, expect your dog to undergo significant changes in behavior and temperament. This phase usually occurs around 4 to 8 months of age and can be characterized by increased independence, occasional rebelliousness, and a surge in energy levels. Recognizing these changes is crucial, since it allows you to adjust your training approach and provide the guidance and structure your dog needs to mature into a well-rounded adult dog. By understanding that these behaviors are a natural part of their development, you can navigate this challenging period with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Setting Expectations and Reinforcing Training Principles It's essential to set realistic expectations and reinforce the fundamental principles of teen puppy training. Remember that every dog is unique, and the training journey may have its ups and downs. Consistency is key: establish clear rules and boundaries from the beginning, and ensure everyone involved in your dog's life follows them consistently. Positive reinforcement, like rewards and praise, is a powerful tool for shaping desired behaviors and building a strong bond with your dog. Remember that training is an ongoing process. Be patient, stay committed, and enjoy the journey of watching your teen puppy grow into a well-behaved and happy adult dog.

In this episode, I talk about using a modified version of the approach I talked about in session 115 so that you can train a puppy. Just like you'd teach your children differently than you would teach them as an adult, there are incremental parts of the process that apply differently to a puppy. As I mentioned with adult dogs, this is fundamental training that is typically one of the first lessons I teach in person. To review the session for adult dogs, check out session 115 here. The reality of training any social mammal is that it requires different approaches based on age. In all development, small progress markers for are clarified to help create a foundation of understanding for a younger brain. I talk about some of those concepts and how to apply it to training a puppy. Additionally, I'll point out the counterproductive approach to continuing to teach a dog as a puppy, the same way that it might seem odd to teach a teenager the way you'd teach a small child. I'll also cite some examples where you might apply a small version of some of those with older dogs in certain instances. We'll apply similar principles from session 115, where we use a two-step approach. For puppies, we use it to help with a first stage (away from humans) to remove them from a setting where the puppy may just absolutely lose their mind when approaching a person. Once they've understood that, a second step involves interaction with people. With a puppy, it's not phrases, but general noise making to draw their attention. I'll demonstrate techniques to enlist help of people you may encounter with your puppy, demonstrate the approach, and specific verbal markers to relay to your puppy during each stage of the process. This process can be fun and is a key fundamental part of the training process. Enjoy this episode, and go have fun with your dog! Sean

We're going to go through a protocol to help train your dog (over 7 months old) to stop jumping on you or others. I'll address the two key scenarios that come up regarding jumping. One scenario, where you live alone and they jump on you. And then another scenario where someone else comes up to visit and your dog jumps on them because they're excited to see them!  I'll provide some setup for those of you who may be new to the podcast; the goal is to help you understand the step-by-step process that talks about the relationship, basic course skills, and then we deal with policies.  Episodes two and three provide some great foundational lessons to understand the relationship between you and your dog. This is usually a first lesson I provide with in-person training for establishing the relationship between you and your dog - not in the sense of whether or not you care about your dog, but in the fundamental connection that you have. Do they have that type of relationship with you that means they understand the role you two have together in training and obedience? If those foundations need to be established, those two episodes will help. Thanks for listening!

Session 113 covered some training goals to teach a dog to stop certain behaviors, specifically barking and "counter conditioning".  I was surprised to find that Session 113 brought on a record amount of feedback! I got a lot of positive response, but some criticism as well. In this episode I respond to some of that, including a letter from someone who suggested that they were a trainer, and took issue with some of the content in session 113. I wasn't sure where in the show they heard it, but one part in particular was regarding Patricia McConnell's teaching about counter conditioning, and that somewhere I suggested that they shouldn't use her method. It turns out that I didn't suggest that. I addressed that they had been coached to try that and it didn't work.  Most of this advice is based on a few things; where in the training their dog is, their age, what approaches have been tried in the past and which have not. In some instances a tried and true approach doesn't work, and alternative methods should be applied.  I'll review it from a psychological approach and explain the intent and hopefully clear up some confusion on the subject. I wanted to talk about another category of feedback I received that was that they tried it but had mixed results. This is what real training looks like in the execution stage. There are techniques and shifts in the approach with every type of dog and behavior. Trina was one of the people who responded and said that using the "tug upward" method to give negative feedback for barking. I asked her a few follow up questions to get a better sense of what she needed to eliminate confusion for her dog.

In this episode I'll cover some training goals to teach a dog to stop doing something. Barking is one of the key areas of focus, as well as a discussion on "counter conditioning". Some may ask if they should do the "lab oriented" counter conditioning or another technique. My approach involves assessing where your dog is on a spectrum, and I'll explain the range. It can also be useful to determine for other areas of training. Some may be driven by a defensive approach, a territorial approach, etc., and I'll talk about some of the areas to be careful about when trying to decide whether to put training methods in place. I'll also talk about the shy, scared side of the spectrum that has other challenges and training methods that should be applied. I will talk about using behavioral adjustment training or counter conditioning when it comes to these techniques as well. Imagine that scenario that causes the dog to bark and you provide some food to distract or adjust the behavior. You'll see them enjoy it in the moment. But what was the treat's connection to the behavior from the dog's perspective? Did you train them for next time, or did you distract them in the moment? Treat training isn't a bad thing but it is important to understand the differences and apply the right methods with this approach.     I also clarify some confusion regarding episode 112 regarding a comment I made regarding shelter dogs.

In today's episode I'll go over some mistakes some people make in food treat training and how to avoid making your dog hyper when using food in training. I don't typically use food as my standard training method (which you've probably learned if you've listened to my podcast for a while). There are instances where it is helpful, and there are very different methods depending upon your dogs age, personality, and upbringing, etc. I'll talk about instances where I use food for training and areas for you to consider as well. I will answer a specific question from an email I received from Mitch, regarding specific mistakes of using food all the time. Assess whether it's actually an issue. I'll show you some things to look for. If you determine that it is a problem, experiment with some different techniques. I'll give a few things to try that I've used when training other trainers, including posture, demeanor, and more. I talk about "marker" training as an option, and will discuss downplaying treats as a reward as part of this.  I will also talk about redirection, and the comparison and contrast of training methods to use depending on the type of challenge you face. Enjoy, and hopefully this helps!

Today I speak with Kellee Zenk, who has a very interesting origins that led her to dog training. She's the founder of Dogs Decoded, based in Minnesota. Kellee has a background in training bears and elephants! We discuss how she got started in that area and how it led to where she is today. Kellee got her start at private zoos in Minnesota and loved training bears and really enjoyed marker and clicker training. She talks about some early mistakes and talks about the full range of experiences.  Kellee and I contrast the dynamic of dog trainers and how you develop better communication with the dog owners as you gain more experience. We also talk about our approach to "play" with dogs, and how to help owners create certain distinctions regarding when play time is on and off, and how to establish that relationship over time as the relationship is clarified. I ask Kellee about her method or philosophy and how it has evolved. Kellee talks about how she is not a "purely positive" trainer. She is very versed in Skinner's theory, which we've detailed in podcast episodes 73 (part 1) and 74 (part 2).  We talk about bridging signals as part of verbal markers and get deeper into Skinner's four quadrants.

On this episode I introduce Melissa Stagnaro, the Vice President of American Retteungshunde Sport Association. With the long name, it is commonly nicknamed "RH".  They are an organization that does "sport" search and rescue.  This is a great sport for your dog that is incredibly unique, and focuses on some pretty high-level activities for fun and exercise. We talk about the origins. FCI, (which is the International Dog Federation) partnered up with a newly formed group called the International Rescue Dog Organization. They ultimately created four levels of sport competition related to rescue. They focus on scents, urban disasters, earthquake simulations, footstep tracking, building collapses, and much more. We talk about what this looks like for people that want to join in, and Melissa discusses their interest in getting more people involved in existing events and establishing more clubs. There is an event going on in Washington state as well. For more information on that, click here. For more information visit SearchAndRescueSport.org. 

On this episode I talk with Elaine Rosen, President and CEO of Dog Lodge, based in Texas. She also is the host of the podcast, Dog Lodge Radio.  Dog Lodge is a great non-profit that deals with elderly and special needs dogs. It is essentially a senior dog retirement home and hospice care facility. They focus on providing a permanent home to dogs whose futures are particularly bleak. They concentrate primarily on dogs that may have come from shelters, rescues, and some private homes. Elaine and her business partner started the concept together after considering where the deficits existed in care for dogs and found that there were many rescues available but not a lot of help for senior animals. They found some land in Hempstead, Texas, and with a lot of support and dedication they have created quite an incredible organization. Elaine talks about the initial fear prior to getting started - would anyone besides them would care this much about senior dogs? She and her business partner quickly found out that there was a lot of support for the effort. The expense and work involved is intense; determining intake criteria, medical care needs and costs, and more. Sean and Elaine also talk about the owners of pets who are near the end of their frustration with their pets and are considering re-homing.  One of the cornerstones for taking in animals is a determination of the quality of life that they can provide based on it's medical needs. If they cannot provide a high standard of care for the animal, they have no business taking it in. They help arrange foster homes as well. It really is an incredible non-profit organization. They started a podcast called Dog Lodge Radio: Animal Issues That Matter. It focuses on their organization, but also animals other than dogs - they find and share fascinating stories about various sanctuaries for different animals, including horses and elephants! To learn more, to reach out for help, or contribute to the organization, you can visit their website DogLodge.org. They are perpetually in need of contributions. You can visit their website and donate by clicking here, or visit their Facebook page here. They also accept in-kind donations. For information about that, contact them here.

On this episode, I sit down with Brad Bevill, who is an incredibly talented dog behavior expert. Brad's focus for dogs is teaching them to be in a follower mindset and balanced emotionally. Brad's focus for people is teaching them to be fair, and consistent leaders for their dogs, and to teach them how to fulfill their dog's lives more profoundly. Brad and I talk about how he discovered this passion of his, how he transitioned from the corporate world, and what his mission has been since 2013. Brad owns and operates Bevill Dog Behavior with his wife in Dallas, Texas, and operates multiple locations in the area. Brad's focus is on a broader approach to training, and one of his priorities is to help owners find a true connection with their dogs. Their mission is to educate humans, train dogs, and rebuild relationships. Brad's company can be found on the following platforms; His website, BevillDogBehavior.com on Instagram @BradBevill His Facebook page, here

Andi Brown is the author of The Whole Pet Diet, an interesting book on dog and cat nutrition. It's been a bit of a theme for the last few episodes. This is the end of that "mini-series" on nutrition for now, but I felt this story was a great way to round that all out. How She Started Andi's story about her interest in pet nutrition that set her on this course starts with a personal account from the 80's of her own cat who had a host of health issues. Told that it was simply a genetic disease that had no cure, she felt she had no options until she met a friend whose focus was nutrition and natural health. After some exploration and her friend preparing a recipe that contained chicken and vegetables, a four-day transformation of her cat occurred and revolutionized the way they thought about diet as a part of their pets' overall health. Andi talks about the standard for manufactured "pet" food, and some of the horrific discoveries she learned about them. She equates some of what the finalized product becomes (she calls it "vitaminized cardboard"). Part of her approach is something she calls "The 8-week challenge", and it outlines a direct approach to quality food as the core approach to your pet's better health. Resources You can find more information at TheWholePetDiet.com.  Her book is available wherever books are sold. Click here to find it on Amazon. She features some great recipes on her website as well! Click here for options.

Sean McDaniel interviews Dr. Gary Richter, a veterinarian from Oakland, California. Dr. Richter is an author and a designer of pet nutritional products and has a lot of interesting approaches to veterinary medicine as well as dog and cat nutrition. The Ultimate Pet Health Guide, written by Dr. Richter, was originally approached to focus on the health benefits of fresh, whole food nutrition, but as he wrote it, it soon went into some of the common health challenges that he sees with pets. He addresses those individually, and his suggestions for pet nutrition take on a lot of the same form as if you saw him for a visit in his practice in Oakland, CA. What is an "integrated" veterinarian? After a few years in practice, Dr. Richter started seeing limits for treatment for his patients. He was frustrated with not offering help beyond traditional limits. He began to explore more holistic approaches that were less traditional to treat chronic problems. Acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal therapy, and other treatment modalities became a part of his overall approach. Resources His website at DrGaryRichter.com Link to buy his book on Amazon Information to learn more about Gary and contact info for his practice at HolisticVetCare.com  

This new book by Michael Wombacher is an incredibly illustrated and interesting book that I felt warranted another conversation! Michael's book has just been released and we sat down to discuss it. Making a photo rich book that used the images as so much of the story was something he really wanted to do, but he talks about the intense challenges that come with it! It was over two and a half years in the making and has just been released. We go in depth about what "integrated dog training" means, and how it covers obedience training (not necessarily puppies). The book is available on Amazon by clicking here, or you can go to this cool Indie Bookstore Finder for an independent bookstore in your area. Sean and Michael talk about the book and the balanced method of training contained within. Michael also talks about different methods for the same command. This accounts for dogs of different breeds and sizes, etc. We talk about training equipment and the pros and cons as well as how to use it all. It's an incredible interview and body of work. It's absolutely worth checking out both!  

Jen Sotolongo joins us on this episode to talk about her Adventure Dog Camps! What they're about, how she got started, and who the camp is designed for (dogs and humans). Sean and Jen discuss some of the unique things that many don't realize are essential for a dog to learn prior to going on an adventure like this. Jen shares some interesting stories about different types of challenges and wonderful learning and bonding opportunities exist with these adventures. Jen focuses on the following adventures with your dog; Camping Cycling Flying Hiking Traveling Running and Gear Guides and Reviews Jen's mission is for everyone to experience the joy of taking their dogs on adventures, and created the ultimate sleep-away camp style retreat! She talks about open this is for all skill levels, and a camp retreat that is coming up this September! Learn advanced dog handling skills specific to outdoor adventures Trying new activities with your dog Become part of the adventure dog community Connect with other like minded pet owners Create lasting memories with your companions. To book a spot on the upcoming camp on September 19-22 in the Central Oregon area go to LongHaulTrekkers.com/adventure-dog-camp to learn more, or visit https://longhaultrekkers.com/adventure-dog-camp-application-form/ to go straight to the application!

Mike has trained dogs for over 25 years, including dogs of celebrities, and is an author and lecturer. He is the author of Good Dog, Happy Baby: Preparing Your Dog for the Arrival of Your Child, There's A Puppy In The House: Surviving the First Five Months, and has another coming soon. We discuss how he got started in the dog training business and what methods of training inspired him to explore more in the business.  We talk about some key factors for people who are trying to find a good trainer. What to ask, what to look for, etc. We talk about how social media has changed the judgement for how trainers approach critical training scenarios such as how they respond to babies, and considering options for rehoming. We talk about recent belief in "purely positive" methods.  Mike cites a few interesting examples and talks about misinformation regarding studies; whether it's a summary that over simplifies or flawed studies that then become spread as fact. It was a fascinating interview and you'll find lots of wisdom in his approach.  

Dr. Lori Cesario is a leader in the field of veterinary oncology. We've spoken before, but you won't want to miss this follow up interview. It's packed full of useful tools - case studies for specific breeds, where to find the best solutions and preventative steps you can take to keep your dog's risk of getting cancer low. Lori talks about steps to take to gain a better understanding of some of the characteristics - where we live, how our dog compares in size to their breed, when and whether they were spayed or neutered.  Dr. Cesario talks about the best ways to verify the claims made online - she talks about PubMed.gov, a database for studies published in veterinary and human medicine. Resources The resource page she mentioned about breeds in the episode is located here. To visit Dr. Cesario's website, visit https://www.caninecanceracademy.com or click here. Her podcast can be found on multiple platforms. To find it on your favorite platform click here.  

We have a new conversation with Eric Letendre, a great trainer based in the Massachusetts area. Last time I spoke to Eric (in episode 66) he'd published his first book, The Deadly Dog Training Myth. There is so much conversation about remote training collars, but specifically a lot of misunderstandings about what they are for and what they can do. And it is important to note that a lot of understanding can be gained with this technology by understanding Skinner's Four Quadrants. I talked about this in podcast sessions 73 (part 1) and session 74 (part 2). Note that these will open in new tabs so you won't lose your place here. I ask Eric about some of the mistakes people make when it comes to choosing a collar. We talk about "lesser"/"cheaper" collar types. I tell a funny story about a client who had a very interesting experience and why he gave up on it. Misuse and misunderstanding are a very big factor when considering this training method. Eric talks about dog owners basic use methods; As a low level negative reinforcement (or pressure and release) Using it as a positive reinforcement (at a comfortable level) We'll talk about how it can be an incredibly good or bad tool to use depending on the type you use, and your understanding about the psychological approach that you take when training your dog with it. Imagine a dog's response when you get certain things out and the positive response you receive. When you bring out the remote training collar, what association do you imagine the dog having? After listening to this podcast, it won't surprise you to know that dogs (trained properly) have a positive response to an e-collar! Eric will talk about his philosophy about when the collar is applied during a real life training session and why that is. We talk a bit about each of our philosophies and the importance of that timing. Eric's YouTube Page The Deadly Dog Training Myth on Amazon

On this, our 100th episode, I am going to give a consolidated answer to a question that comes up a lot. When and why I use food as a trainer, when and why I don't use food, and when and why I do or don't use corrections or dog collars. It's all connected, and it's time we dive in on this particular subject. So much of the confusion about this group of topics is that, like everything, for every trainer there is a different opinion. And it's easy to take one specific episode (of the previous 99) and think that I either am or am not a "food treat" trainer based on the topic at hand. Different situations dictate those circumstances and I will explain why. It's important to understand that one of the drawbacks (or at least an observation you should consider) is that the treats become "the point" for why they obey a command. For example; find an opportunity to evaluate the process when you do and another when you don't. Was their willingness to obey tempered when they saw that you did not actually have a treat for them? There are several ways to evaluate this - we'll talk about a lot of ways to determine the best way for you to train your dog in a way that works best for your situation.

On this episode I talk to Brooke Mihajlovich, a dog trainer who has recently started her practice to Washington state from Indiana. Brooke focuses on remote training collars to help with training without a leash.  She and her husband both shared a love of Doberman's, and part of their passion to make sure that their new dogs were well trained. Her participation in training her dog sparked her love and talent for training dogs herself. Brooke's philosophy focuses on changing the relationships with their owners at a fundamental level. It's important to create a relationship that focuses on their "humans" as leaders more than just owners. Her primary focus is to give them tools to create a relationship bond that creates very positive results for both the pet and the owner. We get into some of the other areas of training including  Spatial awareness Loose leash training movement on leash (rather than simply pulling) "auto sits" when stopping Shoulder movement and eye contact Controlling and managing the environment Off leash training Electric Collar Training This is a particularly controversial training with some, but Brooke and I talk about how to do it the right way. It's important to understand that once humans understand that it's not what some might conjure up in their mind about a typical shock they understand that it is subtle, and is designed for a minimum threshold for creating a behavior pattern. Her website is K9CommunityMovement.com, and you can find her on social media at the following destinations; Facebook Instagram I hope that you enjoy this episode, and if you have more questions for Brooke, I hope you'll reach out!

In this episode I speak to Dr. Lori Cesario, a board certified veterinary oncologist. We discuss her passion about being a vet as a child, and her appreciation for the role a certain oncologist in her life played that influenced her decision to specialize in that field. Lori talks about some early detection techniques, and what owners can do to find problems before they become serious. There are dozens of possible manifestations that could be symptoms of cancerous cells.  Lori also talks about some newer testing procedures, like BRAF gene mutation tests that can be good check up tests that can be done every six months. She also discusses some interesting upcoming tests coming to the marketplace. We discuss specific breed related risks, learning about the normal baseline for your dog's health, and her new podcast called, Your Dog Wants You To Know This! (iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts) Dr. Cesario's website is loaded with content and is a helpful resource for pet owners. Visit her site at CanineCancerAcademy.com.

On today's episode I talk with Cat Matloub and Dr. Judi Stella of Good Dog, Inc. We'll talk about some of the reasons that the company was founded, and what the company mission is today. Cat Matloub is the Head of Partnerships and Community Legal Affairs and talks about the overall mission of the project and what their focus is to date. One challenge that they found was that families were having  difficulty finding reliable information online when trying to add a new dog to their family. Between disreputable groups who were trying to sell something and the difficulty navigating between responsible information and an enormous amount of disinformation, the founders decided to apply their experience from the technology field to create a resource that was available to the public. Dr. Stella is the Head of Health, Standards, and Research, and discusses healthcare treatment options, socialization practices. One of her key objectives includes knowing what the standards are for their listed breeders, and maintaining accountability to consistent standards. Among many interesting insights in this interview is what they learned during this process about how many truly extraordinary dog breeders there are, and how they are in a way some of the unsung heroes of the process.  I hope you enjoy! Sean    

In today's episode I sit down with Ian Grant, a fellow dog trainer with Vermont Dog Training, based (of course) in Vermont! Ian also has a podcast called Vermont Dog Trainer Show.  Ian's Background Ian has a really interesting story before he became a trainer, having been a professional golfer for a number of years before finding that the world of training dogs was a fascinating study. He shares his story of watching The Dog Whisperer and following some of Cesar Millan's shows with the sound off to get a better feel for the body language between a trainer and the dog. Training Techniques Ian and I talk about his dogs Lula and Maddie, and how they became so important in the process of boarding other animals. We get into a bit of a deeper dive in the concept and practice of dog's behavior in crowds, our collective take on dog parks, and what you might want to think about before venturing into the park yourself. Referral Program I also wanted to let you know about our new referral program! After quite a bit of testing it's finally ready to roll out. I'll explain who might be eligible, and you can decide if it's something you'd like to participate in. You can complete a form at TheDogsWay.com/affiliate to learn more. Getting Your Feedback I've been contemplating whether or not to introduce some "mini" episodes that are with clients and dog owners that have some specific questions about there pet concerns. Would you like to hear these or participate in them? The plan is to create a few of these that are about 20-30 minutes. Contact me to let me know what you think or to participate! Ian Grant's Contact Info (opens in a new window) Vermont Dog Trainer Show Podcast (if you want to check out the episode where I was interviewed click here) Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

First, I hope that everyone has stayed safe and healthy through what may have been the worst of the stay-at-home orders that you may have been subject to. We went through a sort of "emergency sessions" period where the podcast episodes focused on specific things to do with your dog - and as a result we put some of the interviews we had scheduled on hold. Today is the first episode of one of those interviews. What Is Contrast Training? I sat down with Ruth Elliott and talked about a very unique type of training. Ruth is based in Australia, and got into her unique style of training, how she got started, and some of the interesting restrictions to training methods that exist in Australia. Ruth is a greyhound specialist (although she trains all types of dogs). Her business is called Formal Dogs, and she trains and escorts people's dogs to attend their owner's weddings! This is the first I've heard of this and think you'll appreciate her story and her methods as a trainer. We discuss some of the differences in our training style and talk about some of the fundamental teachings in training. Email Bag Amelia in Atlanta, Georgia asks about her dog "Beau" and the fact that he is experiencing a bit of stress her departure when going back to work that he didn't exhibit before. It's a great question, and I'll talk about some transitional elements to use when going from the shelter in place environment to going back to work. Other Questions I also answer some questions about P.U.P. Dog Rescue, why they haven't been mentioned on some of the emergency sessions, and when that will be starting up again. Oh, and if you want to see a cool video, check out this slow motion video of a greyhound running.

In this episode we move to phase TWO of the "down" challenge for food motivated and non-food motivated dogs. I'll talk about an interesting discovery from listeners from the Czech Republic and Sweden and how their "crazy stay in place" situation is nothing like that! Life is proceeding pretty much the same there as it was before March. So we we talked about sweeping the leg and your proximity to the floor in the phase one of the training. The goal in this phase is to wean yourself off of that proximity to the floor. We'll go back to those phase one elements of time first, then distraction. Overview Train in different contexts Train through the whole arc of behavior with distractions Use natural transitional rewards as you do small snippets of practice throughout the day Emails Cheryl from Ann Arbor, Michigan - She got her dog Oscar introduced well to the sit and the down. But he is confused between both sit and down. I'll talk about how to help your dog distinguish between them. Sandra from Texas has an interesting question - and apparently has my voice from the podcasts in her head (Sorry, Sandra!) Today's quote comes from Aristotle... "Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others." Click here for a closer look at the book on Amazon.

In this episode we'll jump to a critical point with the "down" challenge, that uses no food and instead focuses on the "say and show" method. It's not unlike the say and show version of sit; but some there are some angles and positions that are distinctly different. There are two categories of people who may be the best for this type of training; Non-food motivated dogs People with dogs who give signs that they see these lessons as "optional" The idea is that we teach this as a necessary part of functional obedience. It's also good to train their dogs this way to "overlap" the food-based approach. I am also linking this to an excerpt I posted on YouTube from our video training series that provides a bit of a visual guidance for the lesson. Emails (07:58) Lara and Tim (and "Kona") from Arizona ask about requirements with puppies and food training (10:11) Ellen asks (on behalf of "Duke") where you should be in a progression and types of treats Quote on Resilience Part of our Emergency Series includes a brief quote about resilience; this one comes from Jocko Willink, who has published two very interesting books; Extreme Ownership The Dichotomy of Leadership

In this episode we're going to jump into another obedience skills challenge. This one is focused on the 'down' command. This is an important lesson for small puppies as they develop, and even rescue adult dogs in instances where they may not have received much training, or were last trained years ago when they were puppies themselves. Emails I answer an email from Rachael asking about her puppy and (based on her age), whether she should stick to just the introductory training or if she's ready to move to some of the more intermediate and advanced training. I'll talk about the three phases for training puppies to use as a general guide for your dog. Enjoy the episode! I have included some links below as well for other sessions that may be related to this one. LIST OF PAST PODCASTS LINKS Session 18: The overview of what to teach a puppy and when, and teaching two dogs to not go after each other’s fetch toys Session 22: using an air sprayer to stop barking and stubborn puppy “downing” SESSION 27: How to coach a new dog to play better with your existing dog and how to get a puppy out of crate calmly Session 31: Preventing resource guarding in puppy raising and what to do about a dog’s mid-life crisis? Session 32: What are the best chew toys for puppies? And, how to stop an older, larger puppy from Session 44: Prevent Your Puppy from Chasing Your Kids Session 57: Train your Puppy to get along with Baby better Session 58: Fetch! – Teaching your Puppy the rules And another quote/thought about resilience. I mentioned the author, Carol Dweck earlier in the episode, so I thought I'd quote her here. It's about the best thing you can teach your kids about resilience. Here's a link to her book. MINDSET, Carol Dweck. Enjoy, Sean

While you're all stuck at home, hopefully you've all stayed safe - and hopefully you've been working on parts one and two of the "sit" command with your dog! In today's episode we'll work on sit by moving toward the "stay" progression; and I'd highly encourage you to go back and listen to the previous two episodes if you haven't already before jumping into this lesson! Here are the links; Episode 89: The Sit Challenge Part One Episode 90: The Sit Command Part Two: Say and Show Method So we'll start with a competency check of sorts - a very important part before progressing to "stay". Emails from previous Sit Lessons Margie in Toronto, Canada Margie asks about the sit command, but asks about the age appropriateness for this command as it applies to her two dogs (but a bit more specific to my video training series version of this lesson). I'll talk about the age differences and I also have a brief edited version of the video clip from my dog training series to give you a bit of a visual idea of the sit lesson! Direct link to the video clip on YouTube (new window) Direct link to the video training series (new window) Tim, Chicago, Illinois Tim asks about recalling that Sean would teach the "puppy version" of some of these emergency sessions. I'll go over what version of the exercises apply to his age of puppy.   Phase One In the first you were in the "luring" phase one - while you were down on a knee and weaned your way off of needing to be there and you knew you were out of phase one when you knew you could do the following; Stand up say "sit" command; Your puppy understood the command and would perform a sit 80-90% of the time; Your puppy would hold that for at least 5 seconds at a time; Say the "release" command and your puppy knew that they were done. Phase Two You started to challenge your puppy with the "two treat" method by working on two parts of the process; Increasing the amount of time your puppy would hold; Performing those instructions with an increased amount of distraction elements during that time. Older Dogs (phases one and two) For those with older/adult dogs that had difficulty doing the command without treats as a motivator, you would have gone through the "say and show" method I taught where you used 50-75 repetitions, and you increased the amount of time, and the number of distraction objects that they could do the "sit" around in phase two. Quote on Resilience "Our greatest glory is NOT in never falling; but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius

In today's episode I'm ramping up the "sit" command in part two of this series. This is also a good step for adult dogs who have a pretty good grasp already. I'll answer some emails that are timely and play into this specific type of obedience training and talk about a very good question that I did not answer in my part one! And I've been making a habit lately of leaving you with an interesting quote about resilience. I won't let you down this time either. In fact, I've included the quote here along with a link to Viktor Frankl's book; "Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning You can download the Audible book here, and also get a free trial of audible with the same link.

In today's episode we're going to work on our obedience skills challenges while we're still confined inside with our dogs! Today's skill at first glance may seem like one you think you already know...but there are some key components to this command - whether your dog is "food" motivated, adult dog or puppy - there are some great tips to go beyond what I call the "phase one" version of the sit command. I'll give you a primer on what is involved with the command and how to progress further. I'll also talk about phase two and lead into things to come for this week and next!

This is part two of the lesson on teaching the "place" command. We're going to take it up a notch from yesterday's work. We'll look at increasing levels of difficulty. We'll also talk to those with older puppies and adult dogs, and those that aren't as "food motivated". The goal being to learn to apply a more advanced set of skills to get the results you're looking for. Hopefully, after episode 87, (which you can click here to check out) you have gone through a few progressions with your puppy to establish their baseline competency level and acceptance of the idea of using their bed. I'll talk to you about evaluating their skills in this episode; this will help you move forward in the right way or correct any bad habits you might not have thought about. There are some great beds that you can use for this. I've included some links below. In full disclosure, these links are affiliated with me on Amazon and I see a small piece of it if you click through. I believe in what I promote, but I just wanted to be clear about what you were clicking! K&H Pet Products Original Pet Cot, Elevated Dog Bed Cot with Mesh Center, Multiple Sizes (by K&H Pet Products) A raised cot or bed like this makes the place command much more defined and easier for dogs to learn the skill. And A quote about resilience from this episode “One form of perseverance is the daily discipline of trying to do things better than we did yesterday.” ― Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (Audible version | Paperback version) Sign up for an Audible monthly membership, click here.

Today's emergency session 87 is a fun exercise, and part one of a session to help your puppy learn the "place" command. As part of this exercise we'll talk about teaching him/her to use their dog bed. We'll go over how to analyze and learn about the personality of your puppy based on the skills exercises I demonstrate, and then tailor your training based on what you observe. It can be a great step in ongoing obedience between you and your new pet. I also touch on housebreaking (more in-depth training with this in session 5) and how that fits into this training. I also have a few pens that you can use for training your pet at night and have included links to each; AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Pet Exercise and Playpen IRIS 34'' Exercise 8-Panel Pet Playpen Wire Pen Dog Fence Playpen And near the end of the recent episodes I've begun to say a few words about resilience, with the hopes that you'll take it to heart and perhaps to cheer you and your family up during these challenging times. I hope that you'll enjoy them. Today's philosopher is a bit more modern than yesterday's quote from Horace (a first century poet).. A brief quote from Sylvester Stallone in a speech to his son about perseverance.

In today's session I'll give you a few tips for creating some fun and interesting mental and physical exercises for your dog while "sheltering at home".  I've also decided to outline the entire subject below and put in a few links for items that might be useful during these sessions; Fetch Work on teaching fetching rules though (if you’re out at the park – be sure to use a long line on your dog to prevent any mishaps in social distancing rules and keep everyone safe. Goals Make sure you’re teaching some rules with this. Teach your dog that you start and end the game. Teach Drop it and stick a treat to your dog’s nose (after getting your dog to drop the ball where you want it with your food lure and work – you can get two identical toys and reward the dropping of ball one with the throwing of ball two. This is a great way to get your dog doing some wind sprints and tire them out completely.) Progression: Work obedience into your fetch – sit or down then say your release command and then immediately throw the ball or toy. Tug Goals Teach your dog that you start and end the game Teach your dog drop it in drive and; Teach them to come down out of drive by giving them a small break between bouts of tug Toy Suggestion: K9 Dog Bite Tug Toy with 2 Strong Handles (by Bull Fit) Made of Durable & Tear-Resistant French Linen Perfect for Tug of War, Fetch & Puppy Training Ideal for Medium to Large Dogs - Firmly Stitched Pull Toy  Flirt Pole If your dog has a high "prey" drive and you have the room in your yard or house.  See if your dog likes the idea first, by attaching a toy to a string or line to see if your dog likes chasing it, before investing a bunch of time or money into getting or making one. Goals: The same as the last two game’s goals. Puppy Prey Drive Building Flirt Pole Tug Toy Redline K9  by REDLINE K-9 or "DIY" it with an old broom handle or relatively sturdy piece of lighter wood (1x2 pine work pretty well), duct tape a handle and drill a hole in the top... run a light line through and tie a cloth tug toy to your line (depending on your dog’s tenacity). I’ve used old shoelaces strung together in a pinch for these DIY versions BOOT laces are better cuz they’re longer.  Feeding toys and puzzles that I like StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy by StarMark PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist 'n Treat, Treat Dispensing Dog Toy, X-Small, Small, Medium and Large Sizes by PetSafe Caveat:  Don’t leave this with your dog as a “chew toy”.  They’re not really designed for that.  If you want something for their alone time.  I’d use a black rubber Kong (note: there are different sizes – Get one large enough that your dog can’t mistake it for something to swallow!) Back Rubber Kong (Note: The black rubber is denser and more durable than the red rubber Kongs) BONUS POINTS!! Super geeky reference for more info on the Roman poet Horace

Core foundational skill building is critically important, and practical application of that in today's new "social distancing" environment is essential. I'm going to talk about training exercises that you can run through with your puppy to help determine the type of instinctive response your puppy has, and how to establish some good fundamental behaviors. I think about socializing in three different categories; Socializing to things Socializing to people  Socializing to other animals I usually use that order to establish skills by relative difficulty (since each step in order above is progressively more challenging to establish.) And by the way, if you want a more in depth understanding of what I'm putting into practice today I'd suggest listening to specifically to episode 73 and episode 74 on Skinner's Four Quadrants. Puppy aptitude testing involves sight, startle, sensitivity, and sound, and I talk about how you'll want to consider this when going through these exercises. The first will include the ability to manage their nervous system, recover from stimuli, get back to neutral, so they can get back to a "thinking mode" rather than a more systematic nervous system response mode. The second core skill is helping them stay mentally connected to you during different experiences you both encounter. I'll talk about two specific training exercises you can try!

It's a strange time for sure in the midst of all of the COVID-19 concerns worldwide. I've received a lot of questions about their pets and I wanted to publish a few brief episodes to not only answer questions that I've received but to give you some fun things to do with your dog along the way while you're sheltered in place, or stuck at home. In this episode I'm primarily talking about the following; Can my dog catch Coronavirus? Risks associated with your pet being a "conduit" What kind of exposure should I allow with my dog? Can I take him/her for a walk? Should I use any product to clean my dog's paws? Some useful links to sites relevant to this episode CDC page Description of sheltering in place with CNN USA Today U of Illinois and Urbana pet care Thanks for listening and stay safe! I'll give you more tomorrow. Sean

In our training session for today I'll help design a game plan for training a puppy that likes to bite and nip. I'll show you how to design an environment that is optimal for training for this type of behavior. It is very much requires a 'relationship based' type of approach. Other trainers use a "behavior centric" approach. I referred to a previous episode I published (episode 76 if you want to check it out) where some veterinarians published an article about whether or not dog's were "pack animals". That study and many like it are done in a vacuum so-to-speak, and lack the broader view of the total approach to behavioral training for dogs. The approach I describe in this podcast uses a comprehensive technique. I think you'll appreciate the broader lesson in this method. I'll break the plan down in a few parts; Principals and Mental Constructs Systemic Setup and Structure Pro training versus anti-training Enjoy!  Also, as always, thanks so much to P.U.P. Dog Rescue for sponsoring the program and today we're featuring Skylar. He's a 1 year old chihuahua pomeranian mix, and currently is homed with a cat. Thanks as always for your support and comments about the show! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @thedogs_way for latest info and fun stuff about your best friends.  

In today's podcast I will talk about a remote training method using e-collars! In podcast session 45 I talked a bit about this but I'll talk about how it relates to obedience training. There's controversy and some things to consider and I will discuss all of that. When we use it for training it can be very effective and I'll talk about steps for you to train your dog effectively with it. I've given you two links for items to consider buying as a part of this session. Here's a link to the Mini Educator (and in full disclosure, we make a couple bucks off of sales through the link.) You can do your own search for Educator e-collars online as well. In addition to the Mini Educator, the quick collar is helpful. Keep in mind that there is a 1 inch and a 3/4 inch collar. Just make sure it matches the model of educator collar you plan to buy.  Today's rescue pup is Culpepper! He's a maltese mix and is quite small, at about 8 pounds. He's all white, incredibly adorable, easy to be around, and a good natured pet that I'd love for you to take a look at by clicking here. Thanks to P.U.P. dog rescue as always for their support. As I've done before I am presenting a new year's challenge to get you back into training your pet! I'll tell you more about my challenge in training. Also, we are fast approaching completion of our affiliate program through the website. I'll provide more details soon.  

If there's one consistent thing that owners put at the top of their list for behaviors it's to keep their dogs from jumping on their owners and other people. I will discuss options and how to create the right environment for it. I'll also talk about the modes of communication, starting with postural and vocal methods and their place in this type of training. These are essential in understanding the communication between you and any dog and is important when assessing feedback. I'll talk about a loose leash technique and what things you'll look before that happen before your dog tries to jump. First, today's rescue pup is Maia! Thanks to P.U.P. dog rescue as always and to get more information about Maia, visit the website by clicking here. By the way, for training sessions like this one I’d recommend going back and listening to episodes 2, 3 and 4, if you haven’t listened to those already. Those episodes give you foundational understandings of my relationship-based method and some of the theoretical constructs that I refer to in training episodes of the podcast. Additional links: Free downloadable e-booklet about create structure around the house Leash pulling article and video clip Session 2: Starting Out: Are you having some “policy” disagreements with your dog? Session 3: Learn how to structure your dog’s lifestyle more Session 4: Follow up on homework from Session 3 & switch gears to learn how to train younger puppies

I love this heartwarming story! Today's episode features Beau Maxwell, owner of Love for Senior Paws. Her focus is on care and adoption for senior pets. Her love and dedication started with a cocker spaniel she rescued from a disreputable breeder. Since then, she's dedicated her life to rescue and adoption of senior dogs for all through her group. She talks about the primary goal of Love for Senior Paws. Some of the areas of focus are; Raising awareness about the needs of senior pets Specific challenges related to their care that the organization faces Foster care / adoption Working with underfunded shelters Providing assistance with medical care while they wait to be adopted Incredible success stories and positives for adopting senior pets Their focus on continuing support for families that take on these pets We talk about what the first steps are for people who want to be involved. We also share some general stories about relationships with dogs, and contrast them with the unique elements that mature dogs bring (whether it's pain management, rules and obedience, family connection, etc.) There are options for sponsoring animals (more details about becoming part of "the pack" here). You can visit Beau's website as well at LoveForSeniorPaws.org.  Also, I'd like to thank our sponsor P.U.P. Dog Rescue, and talk about their featured dog! Cocoa is a 9-year-old Chihuahua - she's a black, brown, and white short haired Chihuahua that is very sweet and calm. For more information, click here. 

Today's interview was with David Blank, owner of Happy Tails Canine Adventure Tours. David is the contact you need to know if you like travel and taking your dogs along! Background David started as a tour guide and found tremendous happiness with travel and tourism and eventually realized that incorporating the travelers' dogs in their adventures was an incredibly enriching experience. He talks about his adopted dog Max, who was close to being euthanized, became the spark for the 20,000 mile journey that would ensue.  The discovery of calm and connection to the dogs takes a bit of learning, but owners find that it gives their dog a sense of relaxation and confidence that they never had before.  Topics I talk about some of the basic steps that David requires for the dog to get started, such as; Obeying sit, stay, type commands Ability to be calm in a dog-friendly restaurant environment Not aggressive towards other animals or humans They need to be able to physically perform in these environments (on more strenuous hikes) Comfort level with the outdoors and other dogs We talk about some day tours as well, so if you or your dog are not ready for the long adventure you can explore some of the wine country in Northern California, or southwest trips, and many more. David was a fun interview and is a great inspiration for those wanting to find a deeper connection with their dog. We'll talk about David's favorite spots to go on adventures. You can visit their website at HappyTailsTours.com You can call them at 262-6-CANINE  (262-622-6463) On Instagram at @happytailstours or on Facebook here. Today's Email Question Today's question was about the training course and how the process steps up, what ages the dogs need to be for which steps, etc. Michelle asked a great question and something that needs to be addressed for anyone interested in the course.  Thank you P.U.P. Dog Rescue! Thanks to our sponsor P.U.P. Dog rescue as well - today's rescue is Moana! She's a 5 month old, white scruffy 6 pound terrier mix. Adorable, and will likely be somewhere around 15-22 pound range. She's housebroken and energetic. You can get more information about her here, or just visit PUPDogRescue.org for more on how they work.  

On today's show I answer a two commonly asked questions; the first from Tanya, one of our listeners. I get a lot of questions specifically about this. If you listen regularly to the podcast I'm sure you've noticed that I make occasional references to my video training series but I don't often talk about the details. I think the explanation of the video series will help you understand my approach and method to step-by-step training for your dog.  Next I respond to Julie, who asks about a specific type of training regarding dogs walking alongside you while you bike! So I'll take the opportunity to discuss this in depth as well.  Video Training Series This is a 12-part series designed to slowly progress in difficulty so that you can become accustomed to these methods with your dog so you both learn the fundamentals together. I go through this process with six different people and different kinds of dogs. Some of the benefits of this for use of the videos is; Using dogs of different sizes With different age levels Their owners have different levels of experience and training I will talk about how this and other lessons fit into the video training course that I offer on my site at TheDogsWay.com. I feature different lessons and a sort of 'competency check' at the end of each to give you a chance to determine what your dog has learned through each. Lessons Loose Leash Walking Revisiting Sit Walking Behind Controlled Walking, kind of a "heel" type instruction "Stay" command "Come" command Meeting people Temporary boundaries Permanent boundaries "Down" command "Leave It" Approaching dogs Of course there are some bonus sections that teach a few different lessons for dogs based on age, and some other factors. On my website I talk about what the course is and isn't, and answer some of the common questions you may have as well. Visit the training course page here if you want to learn more. Teach Your Dog to Walk Along While You Ride a Bike This particular technique is important for many reasons and it seems fairly straightforward; but safety is a key component. I love the idea of doing this because it's great for getting your dog some quick exercise! I'll talk about three categories of the process; Competency - we'll establish what your dog is ready for; Setup - training protocol to establish rules (like a "heel" type training); Some lessons learned (from my first-hand experience) about what not to do. And thanks again to our sponsor, P.U.P. Dog Rescue. This week's rescue dog is 'Stella'. I got a chance to hang out with her, and she's a young, 4 month old German Shepard (I believe maybe a mix). Absolutely adorable! If you'd like more, click here. Or for more information about P.U.P. Dog Rescue visit their site. Thanks for listening!  

In today's episode, and after a few recording attempts, I sit down with Angie Burlingame, owner of A Dog's Life Training School. Angie's a trainer that uses a a board-and-train style method, and offers 2 and 3-week programs. She's based in my neck of the woods (Woodinville, Washington) and we talk in detail about what a typical session would look like for those interested in this type of method for training your dog. Angie and I have known each other for a long time, but this was the first time speaking together in person. In This Episode I go in detail, starting with how a boarding type training session begins. We talk about her initial analysis and what initial evaluation steps are important to her. She has a very positive-minded style and technique, and is extremely conscientious about her approach to dogs. Some of the fun stuff we talk about are; How Angie got started (we have a similar story about our sort of "pre-dog training" corporate lives) What led her into the field of dog training Some of the important keys for her to analyze how a dog behaves on first approach What she thinks of training with treats What kind of criteria leads her to use a 3-week training approach We'll talk a bit about thoughts on "pack" training How a "boarding" style of training differs and what is involved in the process Angie's website is ADogsLifeTrainingSchool.com and you can find her on Facebook by clicking here. Angie has some really great videos online as well. Check them out on Facebook or directly on her homepage. Thanks again as always for your feedback and comments. You can now download our episodes using our Dog's Way Podcast App! Just go to the Android Play or Apple App Store to download it now. Sean

In today's episode I will follow up on one of the many responses I received regarding my Skinner's Four Quadrants episodes 73 and 74 that I received. The concepts and methods that dog trainers use is varied, with peoples' passion for dogs it stands to reason that it would bring out a lot of passionate responses to my use of certain parts of all 4 of Skinner's 4 quadrants. A listener, Vicki wrote in. I'll jump in by starting with Vicki's email: I listened to your podcast on Skinner's Four Quadrants, and while you did an adequate job of summarizing some of the conditioning history, I think you're operating on some outdated information. Judging from some of your other materials you seem to be still laboring under the false assumption that dogs are pack animals. Perhaps you would like to expand and update your understanding of the current research in the literature of dog behavior and psychology. I've attached an article that summarizes the current modern understanding of domestic dogs' social behavior.   - Vicki Vicki attached an article on the VCA Hospitals website that I've added here. And thanks to PUP Dog Rescue for their support. Today's puppy of the week is "Farley", a 62 pound "senior" (he's about eight years old) He's listed as a German Shepherd mix, but he's got sort of a quintessential mutt look. He's very relaxed and laid back temperament and his current foster family speaks very highly of him. I describe a bit more about his personality in the podcast, and you can also click here to see him and inquire! For more of The Dog's Way podcast follow us on Twitter @TheDogsWay Subscribe on Facebook, and listen to all of our episodes on our website. Leave me a voicemail and hear yourself on a future show! I'd love if you'd leave me a brief message to let me know how these tips worked for you! Call (844) 364-7929. And if we use your comments in the show, we’ll send you a free video training series! OR if you don’t like free stuff … Email your questions to me: sean@thedogsway.com All the Best,  

Ryan Brown (the dog “Philosofur”) operates a dog training business based in Hamilton, Ontario. He has been a great colleague in the business, and was a great guest on my podcast back in episode 69, where we spoke about his practice, and talked about tips for newer dog trainers. In this session Ryan and I will talk about some training commands for your dog WITHOUT food (yes, it is possible). Ryan’s steps include the following essential steps for the sit command: The proper “minimum” age to effectively train to sit; What the “sit’ should actually look like; What the command means to the dog; How to go to the next level so that the dog will hold the position. Ryan talks about the “style” sit versus the “tuck” sit and getting certain concepts worked out first as building blocks for further training. “Am I sure my dog understands the sit command?” Ryan suggests that many owners believe that their dogs already understand and carry out the plan. But a lot have a version of the command covered, but it is essential to set up a sit AND release command, how tone of voice is a significant factor, and how the leash comes into play. Sean talks with Ryan about exactly what the “release” command looks like for dog owners. If you don’t have a specific word for your dog, or if it’s too common a word – you’ll get lots of great information just from this part of the show! The “down” command is discussed as well, and how food use is really only there on a limited basis for recall. And thanks to PUP Dog Rescue for their support. Today's puppy of the week is "Vivienne", an absolutely adorable German Shepherd that has a great mild temper. Click here to see her and inquire! Ryan’s website is TheDogPhilosofur.com and also has some great videos on YouTube as well! For more of The Dog's Way podcast follow us on Twitter @TheDogsWay Subscribe on Facebook, and listen to all of our episodes on our website. Leave me a voicemail and hear yourself on a future show! I'd love if you'd leave me a brief message to let me know how these tips worked for you! Call (844) 364-7929. And if we use your comments in the show, we’ll send you a free video training series! OR if you don’t like free stuff … Email your questions to me: sean@thedogsway.com All the Best,

This is a continuation of my talk about Skinner's Four Quadrants. If you're reading this and haven't heard the previous show (episode 73), I'd strongly suggest going back to listen to that first. It will give some context to my deeper dive into what the concepts mean. We'll talk in this episode about the broader argument of the "purely positive" trainers, why I use a mix of all four, and why. Positive-Only" or "Positive-Focused" trainers vs. "Balanced" trainers I'll talk about the critical importance between the theoretical application of these principals when studied in a classroom and the "real world" application of those principals. It is an important distinction to make when deciding how you will apply the same thinking to your pet. The considerations for keeping correction in the mix is that it is sometimes dependent on the temperament of the dog - they are all different and have different tendencies. I'll give some examples. Additionally, I'll give some instances where the positive only concept can kind of backfire. I'll talk about the default rule and how it applies in this situation. The keys to these applications is that it is heavily dependent on the type of situation you are facing. For more of The Dog's Way podcast follow us on Twitter @TheDogsWay Subscribe on Facebook, and listen to all of our episodes on our website. Leave me a voicemail and hear yourself on a future show! (844) 364-7929. And if we use your comments in the show, we’ll send you a free video training series! OR if you don’t like free stuff … Email your questions to me: sean@thedogsway.com All the Best,

Hey there Dog's Way fans, today it's time to get "geeky" and talk about Skinner's Four Quadrants. I get asked a lot about the references I make to B.F. Skinner and Skinner's Four Quadrants so it makes sense to go a bit further into what the concepts are behind positive and negative reinforcements, how trainers adapt to those concepts and in this and episode 74 I go into depth on my methods as well and how to apply it to your own pet. It's a fascinating understanding of behavior, conditioning, and training. There was so much information to digest that I decided to split it into two podcast episodes. Skinner's four quadrants were broken up like this; Positive Punishment Negative Punishment Positive Reinforcement Negative Reinforcement The idea stemmed from a few important predecessors to Skinner, and I talk briefly about their history and the evolution to the concept as applied by Skinner and how it is used for training today. Russian research physiologist Ivan Pavlov, who helped bridge the gap with classical conditioning - the idea that pairing an otherwise neutral occurrence paired with another thing that does have some meaning to a subject. Operant conditioning, as an alternative is a learning behavior. I'll get into that as well. John Watson, behavioral researcher was next in the evolution of conditioning about 15 years or so after Pavlov. Systematic desensitization was the goal. Edward Thorndike was next in the process and with a cat in a box" type experiment that would demonstrate Three laws of learning The law of readiness; the law of exercise; and the law of effect. His experiments led to B.F. Skinner, the subject of today's podcast. He expanded several of the concepts of behavioral theory. I go into that I want to extend thanks to our sponsor P.U.P. Dog Rescue! They have an adorable dog available for rescue named "Sadie", who is kind of a "wire haired" Daschund mix. She's 5 years old, is very playful, and is about 18 pounds. [Click here to see Sadie and inquire](), or go to [PUP Dog Rescue.com] http://www.pupdogrescue.org/) for more information about them. I also want to thank Brian DuBose at OnWeb Productions - they have made some great changes and improvements to the podcast, and I kind of view Brian as kind of a podcast "magician". They've improved some things and made the podcast more accessible, including on Alexa and Google Home Devices. Just say "Hey Alexa, play The Dog's Way Podcast" Thanks again for listening, and remember that both parts of the episode are out, so listen to episode 74 as well for a continuation. Enjoy!

A Great Discussion with Bennie Copeland, author of Family Dog Fusion Bennie Copeland and I had a great discussion! If you remember Bennie Copeland from Episode 61, you're going to love our continued conversation. Bennie is a trainer in the Nashville area, and recently published a book, Family Dog Fusion. It's full of insights and tips on how best to teach, train, love and build an amazing bond that you may not have thought possible. It's got some great step-by-step tools about behaviors, patience, and talks about what your dog wants based on certain behaviors. I'd love if you'd consider taking a look at the book on Amazon. Some of the things we cover; "Balanced" techniques with dog training How others using correction as a method The varying opinions by different trainers, and how you can sort through what's right or wrong for your pet An interesting example of obeying the "down" command The decision to reward a dog for behaviors as they become instinctive. We also talk about people's opinions about other high profile trainers' techniques (like Cesar Millan), and how best to interpret all of those outside opinions. For more of The Dog's Way podcast follow us on Twitter @TheDogsWay, Subscribe on Facebook, and listen to all of our episodes on our website, TheDogsWay.com. Want to Be a Part of the Show? Leave me a voicemail and hear yourself on a future show! (844) 364-7929. And if we use your comments in the show, we’ll send you a free video training series! OR if you don’t like free stuff … Email your questions to me: sean@thedogsway.com.   All the Best,

In episode 71, Sean interviews Eric Letendre about his method and tips for introducing the down command to a dog.  Sean and Eric talk about some of the pitfalls that people fall into when introducing an obedience command and how to progress from introduction to a little greater proficiency in the down.

Sean interviews Cara Putnam of Crossroads Dog Training about her new free e-book “Before You Bring a Puppy Home”.  Her book walks you through the decision phase, preparation phase and your puppy’s first introduction to their new home.  The downloadable e-book is a great resource to guide you through your preparation.

In this episode, Sean interviews Ryan Brown about his thriving new dog training business in Ontario, Canada. Ryan shares his insights over the last two years of intense training with hundreds of clients.  Ryan has tips for newer dog trainers and people thinking of dog training as a career, as well as some ideas to make owner’s training easier and more effective with their dogs.

In episode 68, Sean interviews Dog Trainer, Cara Putnam about her training philosophy, her focus on dogs’ instincts and needs, as well as some specific ideas about how dogs’ marking behavior can affect the pack and play environment. In this session: In this episode What’s the difference [...] The post Session 68: Cara Putnam from Cross Roads Dog Training – Dogs’ instincts and training appeared first on The Dog's Way.