Bad Dog Good Dog Trainer

06/18/2024

Elk like to play ball, too!

02/13/2024

I often have people tell me "they are doing it for the food" So okay.... where's the food here? I know that Melissa taught these skills using treats but when food is used right as a reinforcer, not just a reward, the joy is transferred to the activity. It looks to me like Lollipop is just having a really good time!

11/09/2023

While dogs are smart and have many of the same emotions and personalities as we do, a very few intentions take a higher order of thinking... and this is one.

😉

08/31/2023

I''m having a lot of fun with my new radio show. I'd love to have your questions and stories to highlight

Learn what enrichment is and how to provide it for dogs, cats, birds, and other types of pets. You can use food, games, and teaching new behaviors to help keep your pet healthy and happy mentally as well as physically.

04/27/2023

They used to think only dogs could do this. The more we look at what other animals can do, the more we find!

Some cats understand what a human means when they point to an object.

03/21/2023

Pups in puberty prefer not to listen to their owners.

03/02/2023

Today's PSA is brought to you on behalf of trainers everywhere who want you to know our choice to avoid the use of punishment isn't based on some rainbow & sunshine outlook on the world. It's based on our commitment to studying what science has learned - and continues to learn - about this incredible species we bring into our world rather than sticking to folklore & the "way it's always been done". When you know better, you do better.

02/07/2023

ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. You never know when you might need the skill

“Repeat after me. Muzzled dogs are NOT BAD DOGS.

Muzzled dogs have good humans.

Muzzled dogs can have more experiences because they are managed. Their quality of life is INCREASED because of the muzzle.

Muzzled dogs can still have treats.

Muzzled dogs are not miserable.

Muzzled dogs are muzzled for ALL KINDS OF REASONS. Not just aggression. Maybe they eat too much stuff off the ground and get sick. Maybe they play too rough. Maybe they over react when startled. Maybe they want to eat squirrels. Maybe they need to learn better social skills. Not all dogs in a muzzle have a bite history, some have them on to prevent that in the first place. Sometimes the muzzle is more for the HUMAN than the DOG because it allows them to feel more confident. Big dogs, small dogs, and all breeds and sizes need muzzles sometimes. It is not a breed specific tool.

Muzzled dogs are GOOD DOGS WITH GREAT HUMANS who are setting their dog up to not fail. Judging a dog in a muzzle and their owner is the same as judging someone for wearing a helmet. They are choosing safety and being proactive and it takes WORK to get your dog to a level that they are happily working and walking around in a muzzle so kudos to the humans and dogs I work with who put that time in to better their dogs lives.

If you see a dog in a muzzle, don’t stare, don’t ask rude questions, just say “nice job, great looking dog!” And carry on. Believe me, you will have just made that humans day.”

Credit for this information goes to

Helen St. Pierre
No Monkey Business Dog Training

02/07/2023

ALL dogs should be muzzle trained. You never know when your dog might need one. It might be at the vet's for a painful procedure or after an injury. If your dog is already comfortable in a muzzle you don't add stress to an already stressful situation.

“Repeat after me. Muzzled dogs are NOT BAD DOGS.

Muzzled dogs have good humans.

Muzzled dogs can have more experiences because they are managed. Their quality of life is INCREASED because of the muzzle.

Muzzled dogs can still have treats.

Muzzled dogs are not miserable.

Muzzled dogs are muzzled for ALL KINDS OF REASONS. Not just aggression. Maybe they eat too much stuff off the ground and get sick. Maybe they play too rough. Maybe they over react when startled. Maybe they want to eat squirrels. Maybe they need to learn better social skills. Not all dogs in a muzzle have a bite history, some have them on to prevent that in the first place. Sometimes the muzzle is more for the HUMAN than the DOG because it allows them to feel more confident. Big dogs, small dogs, and all breeds and sizes need muzzles sometimes. It is not a breed specific tool.

Muzzled dogs are GOOD DOGS WITH GREAT HUMANS who are setting their dog up to not fail. Judging a dog in a muzzle and their owner is the same as judging someone for wearing a helmet. They are choosing safety and being proactive and it takes WORK to get your dog to a level that they are happily working and walking around in a muzzle so kudos to the humans and dogs I work with who put that time in to better their dogs lives.

If you see a dog in a muzzle, don’t stare, don’t ask rude questions, just say “nice job, great looking dog!” And carry on. Believe me, you will have just made that humans day.”

Credit for this information goes to

Helen St. Pierre
No Monkey Business Dog Training