Positively Best Friends

Positively Best Friends Dog Training "Where Training is fun at both ends of the leash." Obedience and enrichment classes for puppies and dogs of all ages.
(10)

Lots of good info in this post! 👍
10/26/2024

Lots of good info in this post! 👍

Treat training does not imply that you will need to walk around with treats foreverš (*see footnote*). This is a common misconception. However, you'll notice in this cartoon that the woman has her hand in the treat pouch the entire time she asks the dog a cue. Don't think her dog does not notice.

When you cue your dog to perform a behavior, it is vital not to let the treat itself, or reaching for the treat, become part of the cue. This is why shaping and clicker/marker training is so effective when executed correctly. The click always comes before the reward is ever presented.

Here's a great article from The Whole Dog Journal on the importance of fading out food lures and preventing them from becoming bribes:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/7_5/features/Dog-Training-Tips_5629-1.html

And here's an awesome graphic explaining how to fade out food rewards through the learning stages. It's best to variably yet systematically decrease the number of treats, as your dog's behavior remains reliable when presented with the cue. Think of a slot machine: there's like a 1 in 16 million chance that one might win - yet people still continue to play (don't quote me on the statistic, but you get the point). Become a slot machine to your dog.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=447672401968131&set=a.126858410716200.21048.108790432522998&type=1&permPage=1

* Footnote: š Regarding the line: "Treat training does not imply that you will need to walk around with treats forever" - this does not mean that you SHOULD choose to fade treats out. I put that line in there because it is a common reason why those who avoid treat training, do - they are afraid of dependence on treats, but again, this is not the case if the treats are put on a variable reinforcement schedule.

Switch up reinforcers, too... don't always use a treat, or even a treat of a different value/salience to your dog. Use a toy. Use access to somewhere or something your dog likes. A ball toss. A tug on a rope. A flirt pole. Chasing you around the yard. Reward using the Premack Principle - follow the cued behavior up with performing another behavior that your dog LOVES to do (i.e., sit at the door in order to be given access to the yard, or do a trick or a wait before being handed dinner, etc). Make funny voices. Blow bacon-flavored bubbles. (Get creative! Just avoid using a laser pointer as there's greater potential to cause canine compulsive disorder -- similar to OCD in humans -- in dogs who might be predisposed to it, which might generalize to other behaviors such as chasing reflections, shadows, fly snapping, etc. It's extremely difficult to address compulsive behaviors once they've started, and resolving them almost always requires pharmacological intervention, so err on the side of caution and avoid using laser pointers; the dog can never catch the dot and therefore never succeeds). Offer physical affection IF your dog enjoys that. Verbal praise with ALL of the above to give praise greater value.

Remember there's *one* major rule of thumb: **Your dog defines what is rewarding/reinforcing.** You can offer cookies for sitting all day long, but if the behavior of sitting is not maintained nor does it happen more often, your cookies are not reinforcing, and are therefore not a preferred reward/reinforcer for your dog at least not in *that* scenario.

If it were up to me, all people would be treating/rewarding their dogs as payment for "good behavior" all the time ("Good" is operationalized as whatever is acceptable to you in your world/lifestyle). The more you treat behavior you like, the more likely it is to become reinforced, and therefore, the more likely it is for you to see more of it.

Don't forget! Keep your hand out of your treat pouch while asking for the cue, and quit reaching for the treat before the dog can respond. Rewards come AFTER the behavior; bribes are offered to CAUSE behavior. If your dog only does behaviors for bribes, videotape yourself training and watch what your hands are doing when you ask for a behavior. You'd be surprised how leaning on one leg, or even aiming your fingers towards the treat pouch might be influencing your cue.

10/25/2024

Temporary schedule change! Saturday agility classes normally on 10/26, 11//2, and 11/9 are being held Friday afternoons starting at 4 PM on 10/25, 11/1, and 11/8. Back to regular days/times on Saturday 11/16.

Getting results back from our recent AKC Virtual Rally day event!Student Jenny Leeman and her bulldog Maggie received TW...
10/22/2024

Getting results back from our recent AKC Virtual Rally day event!

Student Jenny Leeman and her bulldog Maggie received TWO qualifying scores in novice! (Including a 97/100)! 🎉🎉

Notes from the judges include: “Lovely run, team! Love the use of praise and happy work from your good dog.” and “What a cutie patootie!” 🐶

Join us in congratulating this team!!

PBF recently co-hosted a virtual rally day with Problem Solved, LLC so students could practice or take video on the AKC ...
09/25/2024

PBF recently co-hosted a virtual rally day with Problem Solved, LLC so students could practice or take video on the AKC Rally virtual courses. We received lots of great feedback and appreciation for the opportunity to practice or video!

I’ve heard one team finished their AKC Rally Novice (RN) title! 🎉

Thanks for coming out and having a fun time with us! ❤️

We had several PBF students (and their instructor) participate in the recent AKC Scent Work trial hosted by Saccarappa O...
09/23/2024

We had several PBF students (and their instructor) participate in the recent AKC Scent Work trial hosted by Saccarappa Obedience Club

Qs, titles, and learning moments for all! (Photos attached)

Bev & Mela: 2nd place Novice A container & Finished Novice container title! Q in Novice A exterior

Deb & Dora: Q in Novice A exterior

Stephanie & Gardi: Q in Novice A container, Finished Novice Container Title!

Jean & Annie: Q in Novice A container

Ann & W***y: 2nd place Advanced container & Excellent exterior, 4th place Advanced exterior

🎉 GREAT JOB TEAMS! 🎉

Our next session of beginner/novice rally starts next Thursday, August 15th! Interested? Email the instructor ann@positi...
08/08/2024

Our next session of beginner/novice rally starts next Thursday, August 15th! Interested? Email the instructor

[email protected]

PBF instructor Ann Walko teaches a four week brewery manners course at a local brewery (Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern &...
07/17/2024

PBF instructor Ann Walko teaches a four week brewery manners course at a local brewery (Boothbay Craft Brewery, Tavern & RV). The next start date is Wednesday, July 31st (classes at 5:15 PM)

More details in her post below!

What’s better than having a cold one with your best friend? Well, if your best friend has four legs and barks, your options were limited. Now you can take your dog to a brewery and enjoy a cold beer or another adult beverage. Ann Walko began brewery...

06/17/2024

Don’t look at the other dogs in your class.

Don’t look at your neighbor’s dog, or the dog you see out on their walk everyday.

Don’t look at your old dog who was a literal reincarnation of Lassie.

Look at your dog. Look at where they are now, and how far they have come. Look at the relationship you have developed with the help of your training. THAT is the only comparison game you should be playing.

It can be so tempting to compare our dog’s behavior to another’s; “why does my dog do X, Susan’s dog next door has NEVER done that! Did she do something right that I did wrong?” But the truth is that the answer to these questions is never simple, and comparing your dog to other dogs around you is setting yourself up for failure and frustration.

Instead, look at where you and your dog started, and be proud. Be proud of the hard work you’ve done. Be proud of the trust you have built with your dog. Focus on progress, not perfection, and don’t forget to celebrate even the littlest wins.

06/17/2024

Useful quick read article on how to tell an expert from an imitator. Most common signals in my experience (at least among dog trainers): use of jargon and popular "recipes."

What are the tell-tale signs *you* see that tell you someone is an expert or merely an imitator? Link in comments too!

Picture of dog in truck just because. . . He was not going to let us drive off without him! This is his face when we asked him to get out of the vehicle. He won the negotiation.

https://fs.blog/experts-vs-imitators/

Space available for novice/beginner Rally on Thursday mornings at 10:30. Starting next week - June 20th. FMI email:ann@p...
06/13/2024

Space available for novice/beginner Rally on Thursday mornings at 10:30. Starting next week - June 20th.

FMI email:
[email protected]

06/03/2024

Interested in Rally? New novice class session begins June 13th (Thursdays at 10:30am) and I have a few openings!

[email protected]

🤣 Fun in Monday night’s nosework class! Fellow PBF instructor Pam Parker with Spike finding a creative way to the odor! ...
05/14/2024

🤣 Fun in Monday night’s nosework class! Fellow PBF instructor Pam Parker with Spike finding a creative way to the odor! 🤔

-Ann

Upcoming classes on Thursdays start May 30th!Good Pup: Classes at 4PM & 6PMGreat Beginnings: Class at 7:15PMStarting Sat...
05/01/2024

Upcoming classes on Thursdays start May 30th!
Good Pup: Classes at 4PM & 6PM
Great Beginnings: Class at 7:15PM

Starting Saturday, May 11th @ 11:30AM:
Mind Your Manners/CGC Prep
(CGC eval will coincide with the end of this class)

Email to register: [email protected]

Https://www.positivelybestfriends.com

Dog Training and Canine Activity Center in Midcoast Maine

There is s**ce available in the Thursday morning Rally classes and Wednesday night nosework. The Wednesday night class i...
04/21/2024

There is s**ce available in the Thursday morning Rally classes and Wednesday night nosework. The Wednesday night class is now open to all levels!

Starting May 1st
Wednesdays 7PM: Nosework (all levels)

Starting May 2nd
Thursdays 9AM Rally: Intermediate/Advanced
Thursdays 10:30AM Rally: Beginner/Novice

FMI or to register please email [email protected]

More details on our website:

Dog Training and Canine Activity Center in Midcoast Maine

New classes starting soon!Monday 4PM Nosework: Beginner/NoviceThursdays 9AM Rally: Intermediate/AdvancedThursdays 10:30A...
04/05/2024

New classes starting soon!

Monday 4PM Nosework: Beginner/Novice
Thursdays 9AM Rally: Intermediate/Advanced
Thursdays 10:30AM Rally: Beginner/Novice

FMI or to register please email [email protected]

More details on our website:

Dog Training and Canine Activity Center in Midcoast Maine

04/04/2024

ALL CLASSES ARE CANCELLED TODAY DUE TO… well, you know…

Stay home and stay safe!

Address

280 Boothbay Road
Edgecomb, ME
04556

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Positively Best Friends posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Positively Best Friends:

Videos

Share

Category


Other Edgecomb pet stores & pet services

Show All