Dog Charming

02/07/2025

It's funny .... yet there's an element of truth. I see some separation cases where the dog gets distressed when one person leaves them behind, even if another family member is home. Good news is, it's often possible to help this.

26/06/2025

Favourite dog on favourite chair. It's truly a dilemma 🤷🏼‍♀️

26/06/2025

"The hierarchy of behavior change procedures results from the commitment to reduce force and coercion in the training profession. It contributes an answer to the question, “When we, as a profession, decide to put down our punishment-based tools, how do we meet our medical, husbandry and other behavior goals?” - Dr Susan Friedman

20 Years of Putting the Hierarchy to Work: Evidence Based and Values Driven

Join the discussion at Clicker Expo, March 2026 https://clickerexpo.clickertraining.com/clicker-expo-usa/

The hierarchy of behavior change procedures results from the commitment to reduce force and coercion in the training profession. It contributes an answer to the question, “When we, as a profession, decide to put down our punishment-based tools, how do we meet our medical, husbandry and other behavior goals?”

The hierarchy makes clear that although nature may not rank consequences from most to least preferred, we can do so on the basis of science and values. The hierarchy provides a structure with which to actively and creatively work though selecting behavior change procedures according to the least intrusive principle, a widespread ethical doctrine across many professions, which we do well to adopt.

With the hierarchy, we prevent dogmatic selection of procedures. Rather, professionals are sensitized to the side effects of the different procedures and encouraged to brainstorm solutions prioritizing those that give animals some control over their own outcomes rather than those that curtail control.

In this discussion, with their collective experience spanning over 80 years and several switchbacks in training methodology and philosophy, Ken Ramirez and Susan Friedman will show you how they put the hierarchy to work to benefit the animals we care for so deeply.

23/06/2025

This video was partly prompted by the news that Australia Post will be providing posties with citronella spray in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of dog bites. My POV is that dog guardians could, and should, reduce dog bites by setting up environments to allow posties (and other services) to do their job without needing to protect themselves. I wanted to provide a safe environment for the delivery guy. People may not be fine with dogs or be scared of them. Willow might be in the way and a trip hazard. It's also protecting Willow from unexpected behaviour from strangers. I was happy, Willow was happy and delivery guy was happy.

21/06/2025

I was interested to see what AI had to say about balance exercises for dogs with a weak back end and pain.

Conclusion: AI is a poor substitute for professional advice and individual assessment. Nothing I read through was suitable and they left the most important considerations to the end. I worked as a physiotherapist prior to becoming a behaviour consultant and trainer. The reason I knew it was inadequate information was because of my professional experience.

Based on this experience, I will assume that if I look up AI for questions for which I do not have expert experience, I may run the risk of getting poor AI advice.

12/06/2025

Walked through the front door to the sound of the TV. However, I hadn't left the TV on ...... Willow with her nose bopping and foot stomping 🤦🏼‍♀️😆

07/06/2025

"It's mah birthday, it's mah birthday! Let's get this day started."

Happy 7th birthday, Willow. 🎉🌟

03/06/2025

Information about Librela

Dr. Mike Farrell, a board-certified specialist and expert in canine pain control with no conflicts of interest, presents vital new research on the potential ...

29/05/2025

Something is not quite right about this picture. That's my favourite chair. I'm sitting alone on the dog bed. 🐶😴🤔

24/05/2025

Join us for a snippet of today's walk. I make up games on the fly. Today a huge bush inspired me to to play chasey around it. I tossed a treat for Willow, "Go get it" in one direction and tried to run and hide in the other direction. A playground full of obstacles and interesting scents and textures (grass, sand, limestone) became another opportunity to try and sneak away while she wasn't looking. Needless to say, I couldn't shake her. Can you see how this translates into training behaviours we want in our dogs? Stay close to us, pay attention despite distractions, recall and, most important, enjoy our company, have fun and choose to hang with us.