Nancy Tucker - Dog Training and Behaviour

11/08/2024

I watched this on Netflix today. It's good! It's really good. "Survival of the friendliest" is a tag line that I think could easily to apply to all of us as well. In the long run, we all get much more out of building trust than we do from exerting force. Go watch this!

20/05/2024

A few years ago, I learned of the untimely death of a young, sweet Border Terrier following an unfortunate accident involving the short end of a bully stick. It so scared me that I immediately stopped giving Benni most types of chews.

Benni having lost access to the chew things he loved most has weighed heavily on me since that time. I didn’t want to deprive him of such important enrichment, but the potential price of something going horribly wrong was just too high for me.

Recently, though, I learned about the “Bully Stick Safety Holder” by Bully Bunches. It seemed promising, so I tried it.

And it has changed *everything*.

The design is fantastic. It’s extremely solid, and it holds the bully stick in place like it was welded there. I kid you not.

I still actively supervise Benni while he uses it, of course, but I trust that he’s very unlikely to dislodge the stick from the holder’s grip, as long as I’ve tightened the holder’s mechanism as much as I can (which is super easy to do).

If you give chewing sticks to your dog, I highly recommend this product! (I have no affiliation with the company and am receiving nothing for this post. I just really, really like it!)

23/03/2024

EDIT Mar 25: 10 lessons are now up! In each lesson description, you'll find both the link to the main course playlist, as well as a link to download the accompanying PDF transcript for that lesson (which is way better than the YouTube-generated transcript).

I continue to plug away at the remaining lessons...

************************************

SNEAK PEEK... the first 6 lessons of the free Feelings Change: Desensitization and Counter-conditioning course are up on YouTube!

You can access the entire playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkTeOKvDA0L8r3q6uS3CLBKCDxURLz46w

There are 21 lessons total. I'll be putting them all up as they're ready over the next few days and weeks.

I've disabled comments on the videos for now, because I won't be monitoring the Playlist, and I won't be offering any advice there. And, well... things can get strange and ugly on YouTube comments, so... no.

There is no catch, no obligation, and no time limit. It's 100% free, public, and shareable.

I hope viewers find it helpful!

19/03/2024

I’m working on something… 🙂

31/01/2024

I love pet strollers. I mean, I LOVE them! I’m seeing how more dogs and cats get to join their people outside of the house, thanks to strollers.

People use pet strollers for all kinds of reasons.

Some dogs aren’t allowed on restaurant terraces… unless they don’t touch the ground. My mom’s retirement home allows dogs… as long as they don’t walk in common areas like hallways. So residents use strollers, and they get to live with their dog.

Elderly, injured, or dogs healing from an injury get to continue getting “out there”.

In our case, Benni often runs out of fuel before we do, when we’re out and about. He’s just a wee guy, so we pick him up and keep going. But that’s not always easy. It’s still over 7kg of canine cargo, and, well… he gets heavy.

So I got a stroller, and I’ve been gradually getting Benni used to it. Keeping in mind that Benni doesn’t like heights, I got one that sits low to the ground.

He’s also claustrophobic, so I chose one with mesh on all sides, and a very large front opening. He’s suspicious of things over his head, so this opening is perfect because of its angle.

I started the process by just having it in the house, folded. After various steps meant to gradually desensitize Benni to its presence, we’ve reached a stage where I set it up next to the kitchen table, make my lunch, and before I have a chance to sit down, Benni has jumped into his “buggy”, without me asking, and has settled in.

From the start, I never asked him to sit or lie down. That’s always been his choice. Allowing him this freedom also helps me gauge his comfort level.

He gets his lunch, piece by piece, as I eat mine. I turn on music, Tom moves around, sometimes we both just look outside. I’m aiming to graduate to eating out in public.

I’ve moved the stroller around gently with him in it. He’s gotten used to the sensation and accepts it calmly. Next step will be moving around outside.

Will people judge and criticize the sight of my dog in a stroller? Oh god yes. Do I care? Pfft… Not even a little bit.

This is totally worth it to me. All of it. The time and effort to desensitize, the comments that may be less than positive, the expense. All worth it! Because later, when Benni is older and less mobile, we’ll be ready. And he’ll continue to join us in our activities and adventures. ❤️

(I’ve added commercial pics of the stroller so you can see what it looks like. I love it!)

26/01/2024

This will not look like much to anyone other than those who *know*, on a personal level, just how beautiful these three teeny-tiny dog nail clippings are.

Benni easily does his own front nails with a scratch board, and I file his back nails with a nail file. The back-nails filing originally took a very long time to work up to, so that alone was a major victory.

Recently I’ve been working toward re-introducing the trimmers (red-handle Millers Forge, the very sharpest on the market) for his back nails. When Benni was little, nail trimming was a breeze. During adolescence , he suddenly started saying “Nope!”, and I had to change my approach.

Today, I got to clip the tippy-tips of 3 back nails! You can see how little I took off. That’s a crucial part of the desensitization process. Easy does it! Benni didn’t feel a thing (or much), and the sound was minimal. Success!

I quit after 3 nails and he got a treat scatter. I should note that this session took place immediately after a playdate, so he was good and tired.

I never judge when I see long nails on a dog. I KNOW how challenging it can be to keep them trimmed, and I also understand how long it can take to implement a good desensitization plan. Don’t give up!

23/11/2023

FLASH SALE - serious discounts on all courses.

I haven't yet decided what will happen to the courses currently available on my web site as I head toward retirement. If you've thought about purchasing one of them "later", it may be now or never.

DOGS HOME ALONE: Now $50 until 11:59pm Saturday, Nov. 25th. Use coupon SAVEBIG2023

WEBINARS: Now $10 each until 11:59pm on Saturday, Nov. 25th. Use coupon WEBINARFOR10

Even if the courses become unavailable for purchase soon, you'll continue to have guaranteed access for a full year.

Get them here:

https://nancytucker.com/online-courses-and-webinars/

14/09/2023

Dear Beloved Dog Training Community,

It is with mixed emotions that I share some news with you all. After 16 incredible years of working, teaching, and speaking in the dog training industry, I find myself at a crossroads, and have decided to take a hiatus.

This decision was not made lightly, and I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has been a part of this remarkable journey.

From the moment I embarked on this path, my life has been enriched beyond measure. The bond I've forged with all of you - my students, clients, and colleagues - has been a source of immense joy and inspiration. Together, we have celebrated victories, overcome challenges, and witnessed the transformative power of positive reinforcement and patience in our canine companions.

The dogs, of course, are the ones who have made this journey extraordinary. They are, after all, the true teachers of this profession, and each and every one of them, with their unique personalities and quirks, has left an indelible mark on my heart. Their infinite capacity for learning, sometimes against tremendous odds, has continually humbled me. They have taught me just as much (surely more) than I have taught them, especially when it comes to patience, empathy, compassion, and resilience.

During this hiatus, I plan to take some time to recharge, reflect, and explore new avenues of personal and (possibly, maybe...) professional growth. But truthfully, I think I'm more likely trying retirement from the industry on for size... to see if it "fits".

I will cherish the memories we've created, the relationships we've built, and the lessons we've learned together. In the meantime, I encourage you to continue your pursuit of creating stronger bonds with your canine companions. The world of dog training is vast, and there is always more to discover and explore!

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my past students and clients for your trust in me, and for the privilege of working alongside you and your wonderful dogs. And to my colleagues, from whom I've learned so, so much! You've not only been my clients and peers but also my friends and family, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As I step away for this hiatus, I hope you - my clients and students - stay connected with our community, support one another, and never stop celebrating the incredible journey of training, and nurturing the harmonious connections you've built with your dogs.

With profound gratitude,

Nancy

p.s. - My web site remains operational for now, and if you've purchased a class, rest assured you'll continue to have access for a full year.

03/08/2023

I have a small favour to ask. Would you take a moment to vote for Benni? I mean... this photo of him running like the wind at Barkwells during our trip there in February... his little ears... his little paws.... gah! Please help him win! :)

Barkwells

13/07/2023

“Find It” is still my top behaviour to teach every dog, at any stage of their life. In this article from 2015, I discuss when to use it, and how to teach it to your dog.

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

15/06/2023

Otto, the beloved dog of Nancy Kerns, editor of the Whole Dog Journal, passed away this week at nearly 16 years of age.

I’ve been a fan of Otto’s from the early days when Nancy would share his antics in the Whole Dog Journal, and I am privileged to have spent some time with him 4 years ago when I visited with Nancy in California. I felt I was hanging with a canine celebrity.

It was during that visit that Nancy snapped a photo of Otto and me, and I loved it so much that it became my bio picture.

When we share our lives with dogs, we go into it knowing we’ll one day say goodbye. Still, it always ends up being sooner than we’d like, and it feels like the years went by too quickly.

My heart is heavy for my friend. Bon voyage, Otto. 🐾

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/tribute-to-our-fallen-leader/

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

31/05/2023

Friendly Tornadoes can learn to be fabulous greeters, AND to maintain a polite distance when necessary.

A new class session starts tomorrow, June 1st! There are no "live" lectures, so you can jump in anytime between now and June 15th, when registration closes.

A reminder that there are 14.5 CEUs for CCPDT up for grabs for ALL levels of registration.

More info here: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/20628

03/05/2023

Tomorrow - Thursday, May 4th at 9pm EDT.

Click here for more details and to register: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

10/04/2023

Free webinar on separation anxiety in dogs via the CAPDT's YouTube channel. Available to all; watch whenever!

This introductory video will answer many of the most frequently asked questions about Separation Anxiety/Isolation Distress in dogs. It includes practical ti...

28/03/2023

Has it been 2 years already?

Time has passed in a weird blur over the last three years (I know you know).

I thought today was the Dogs Home Alone course's first anniversary and I was eager to celebrate it.

Imagine my surprise when I realized it's been up and running online, helping people resolve separation anxiety issues for TWO years now, not just one!

Even *more* reason to celebrate!

Until April 1st, take advantage of 50% off the course price with this coupon code:

TYQHVHZ2

Go ahead and share the coupon code with all your friends.

(Maybe they'll finally be able to go out and do stuff with you without worrying about their pooch struggling at home!)

https://nancytucker.com/courses/dogs-home-alone/

22/03/2023

Registration opens at 1:30pm EDT today for the April session of the online “door manners” course.

Follow at your own pace (there are no “live” classes).

Three levels of registration:

Gold - limited spots, get personal coaching from me as we teach your dog new skills.

Silver - limited spots, ask as many general questions about the course content as you wish.

Bronze - unlimited spots, audit the course and my interactions with Gold students.

All levels are eligible for CEUs for CCPDT.

More details and registration here:

https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/13766

25/02/2023

Benni has an incredible recall (coming to me when I call him).

Wait… Benni has an incredible recall UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Over the last couple of days, he’s started ignoring our calls and choosing instead to follow his whim (aka his nose).

Does this upset me? No.

Does it mean he needs more discipline? No.

First, Benni is only off-leash in secured areas. The place we’re staying is 8 acres, completely fenced in.

The reason Benni’s recall appears to be falling apart is because we’ve never trained for these particular conditions.

We’ve worked on recalls off-leash in other areas, but they weren’t this big. We’ve worked on recalling off of wildlife, cats, people, other dogs, food, toys… a number of things.

But we’ve never practiced recalling in this large a space with these particular stimuli (new environment, many more dogs - some of which represent a lot of excitement to him).

So on two occasions recently, Benni disconnected from us while we were walking on the property, and off he went! He was deaf to our calls.

How did I respond to that? Well… first, I stopped calling him. That wasn’t working. Instead, I followed him and waited until I was close enough and certain I could get his attention.

THEN I called him.

It was like he had just noticed our presence and was surprised to see us. “Oh hey there! 😃”

When he finally came to us, he got treats, a happy greeting, and an invitation to join us again on our walk.

“But aren’t you rewarding him for ignoring you and running off??”

Nope. I’m reinforcing the last behaviour he did, which was to come to me when I called.

It’s the same situation as when your dog slips through the door and has an unauthorized adventure in the neighbourhood. When he returns, resist the urge to punish him! Instead, make returning home the BEST part of the adventure! Throw a treat party! Play!

It’s counter-intuitive (because you’re probably really angry), but “returning home”, no matter when it happens, is what you want to reinforce.

That’s what I’ll be doing with Benni this coming week. We’re training in a new context now, under new conditions he’s never seen before. So I’m going back to the starting point for training a recall.

That means treats in my pockets and a toy in my hand when we walk the property. It means frequent recalls so I can reward them and then send him off to explore again.

He’s not “being bad” by running off the way he did. He just hadn’t learned the recall skill *under these conditions*.

And I don’t know when I’ll have access to 8 secure acres again, so now’s a good time to work on this! :)

20/02/2023

Today’s office view. 😎 We escaped the ice and snow for a bit, just far enough south to enjoy some fresh air without all the layers, and plenty of room for Benni to romp. (See Bennigan’s Shenanigans on Facebook for Benni videos).

03/02/2023

Well then, THAT was a whirlwind week!

I wasn't expecting such a response to the launch of the webinars-on-demand series. THANK YOU!

This also tells me that your time is valuable to you (well, duh), and short courses are more convenient. Got it!

You can still grab a short course here for $10.95: https://nancytucker.com/online-courses-and-webinars/

(Price goes to $19.95 after tonight)

29/01/2023

They’re up, and they’re on sale!

Originally recorded for pro dog trainers, but just as useful for regular non-trainer folk. 🙂

I’m gonna leave the discounted price up for a few days, and then it’ll change to the regular price (but the webinars will stay up as part of the Short Course series).

Know someone who could use this? Feel free to share!

p.s. - to celebrate the launch, I’ve also taken 25% off the Dogs Home Alone (full course) for a limited time.

https://nancytucker.com/online-courses-and-webinars/

25/01/2023

Heads up! I'm retiring a few of my presentations.

I've shared them far and wide over the last few years, and because I know they can still be useful to people now and in the future, I've decided to make them available on my web site (updated versions) as short courses or webinars-on-demand.

When they're posted, they'll be available at a very reduced price for a limited time (about $10 USD).

The first two will be "Harmonious Walks" and "How Should I Say This?"

"Harmonious Walks" is for trainers and dog owners alike.

"How Should I Say This?" is for professional trainers or anyone who needs to tackle a sticky situation with a client in writing (no matter what industry you're in).

A few more titles will be released after these two.

So stay tuned! Or to make sure you don't miss it, subscribe to the email list at https://NancyTucker.com (scroll to the bottom of the page for the opt-in feature) to be notified.

10/12/2022

We were all beginner trainers at one point. And we have all made mistakes! I’m sure I still have plenty of mistakes in my future, too. One of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned, and if I was to give novice trainers one piece of advice, it’s this: Listen to your clients. Also, wear washable shoes to puppy class. 😉

07/12/2022

Training scenario vs. real life. Ever wonder why your dog seems to do fine during training, but when out in the real world, the behaviour falls apart? Maybe it’s you. ;) Maybe your voice, your tone, the actual words you use are different IRL. Teach the cue you’re ACTUALLY going to use in real life.

05/11/2022

Are you turning your clocks back tonight? I’m lucky that I have a dog who gets up later than me (!!!), but for most people who share a home with dogs, that “extra hour to sleep” doesn’t exist.

For a smooth(ish) transition, extend the usual time to get up by 10 minutes each day, and after a week, you should be back on track.

29/09/2022

Does your home have an open door policy? As in, “The door’s open, WATCH THE DOG!!” 😨

I’ve got some simple solutions for you. I’ll be sharing them on Oct. 13th at 6pm (EDT) over on the Fenzi platform. 🙂

Here’s the link for details and registration (scroll down to find the Door-Dashing webinar): https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

The webinar will be recorded, and I’ll be answering questions live. See you then!

08/09/2022

Upcoming Pet Professional Guild Webinar:
TOPIC- Harmonious Walks: Redefining Loose-Leash Walking
PRESENTED BY - Nancy Tucker - Dog Training and Behaviour
WHEN - Monday, October 17, 2022 2:00 PM ET
DETAILS & REGISTRATION - https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-4952645
“Harmonious walks” means everyone wins: Happy dogs, and happy clients. Learn how to help your clients attain that elusive “loose-leash walking” behavior in the most enjoyable way.

07/09/2022

Benni growled at me, and I'm glad.

This morning, Benni was going out of his mind trying to find something hard enough to gnaw on. He was sampling various pieces of furniture and I knew of one sure-fire way to satisfy that need: A soup bone with a little bit of meat on it. (I will not engage in a debate about the pros and cons of giving my dog a soup bone... besides, that's not the point of this post).

He was having the time of his life. And then I approached him and reached down towards him to move another item. He stiffened and growled. I stopped what I was doing immediately.

This is a completely normal behaviour. Nothing to worry about whatsoever, and very easy to address. I'm glad he growled, because it tells me his warning system is alive and well. The worst thing I could have done at that moment is "punish" or "correct" him for daring to growl at me.

No, I want that warning system to stay fully functional and healthy. If I "correct" it, I might extinguish it. That's the last thing I want. I much prefer that Benni has a way to let me know "I don't like that - Stop it"... without using his teeth.

Instead, I did a series of short exercises that involved me approaching him and his bone with something equally yummy in my hand. Within 5 minutes I was able to pick up his bone, give him the alternate treat, and return his bone to him with ease.

Long story short, by the end of the exercises Benni was letting go of his bone and looking up at me with glee when I approached. That's all it took for us to understand each other. "Don't mess with my bone!"... "It's ok, I'm no threat to you."

I'll keep repeating this exercise with different items Benni finds valuable over the next days, weeks, months.... and I will maintain this understanding between us. I'll be able to take things away from Benni when needed, without a fuss.

It's not a competition, and a confrontation is not necessary. This kind of issue ("guarding" items of value) can be nipped in the bud very easily with young pups. :)

And for what it's worth, now that he's had a chance to gnaw on a bone for 15 minutes, he's fast asleep. :)

**TRADUCTION EN FRANÇAIS** - VOIR LES COMMENTAIRES

03/08/2022

This Thursday at 6pm EDT, join me for an hour as I share solutions to achieve fun, enjoyable walks with your dog.

23/07/2022

Benni has discovered the new lounge chair on the deck. It was mine… for about a minute.