A Better Way Dog Training, with Janice Ritter

12/29/2024

Here is a place to try some comp obed or rally run-throughs!

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12/19/2024

On National Dog Bite Prevention Week let's work together to help our community prevent dog bites. The IAABC offers free resources like our Dog Park Safety posters in multiple languages. These tips are applicable not just for dog parks but in many situations to help us better interact appropriately with dogs, how to respect their space, and how understand how they communicate with us through body language. Visit our site to download and print or share these posters by Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin
https://m.iaabc.org/resources/dog-posters/

12/04/2024

As I think about working with clients and many companion dogs on high-emotion behavior issues, this idea strikes me the most:

The typical human solution to dealing with upset or "behavior issue" dogs is yelling at them/punishing them. That may stop the behavior at the moment, but it doesn't address underlying needs a dog may have at that moment. Which means the behavior to address the need (which typically makes the dog feel better or feel more in control of himself/his surroundings) will often reappear in another form.

The next level of solution people take for dealing with upset dogs is working to change unwanted behaviors. Doing this often doesn't take into account a dog's genetic or learned _needs_ to deal with everyday life in an owner's home, as well as in sport contexts.

Behaviors are actions that stem from needs in a particular moment or over time, often influenced by emotions. Crushing behaviors or changing them without addressing the underlying needs is unkind, and can simply force a dog to exhibit new unwanted behaviors to meet his needs.

The better, holistic solution to high-emotion/unwanted behaviors is meeting unmet needs first. Dogs (and people) show particular behaviors to meet needs - figure out those and address them. Then behavior change either isn't necessary, or can be addressed kindly.

Those are my thoughts of the day.

11/19/2024

This advice will NOT be popular with those who want it RIGHT NOW, but nevertheless, here goes---

If the goal is to become two things, a good rider and a good horseman/horsewoman, be willing to think in decades rather than in years.

That first decade, from whatever age you began, will take you only so far, and may even take you to the Olympics, but riding skill alone won’t give you all you need to know and be able to do. The next couple of decades will let three components, your physical skills, your control over your emotions and your knowledge, all intertwined to complement one another.

That’s why many of the best riders and trainers are in their 40s, 50s and in some cases in their 60s, even 70s. They didn’t get those tens of thousands of hours overnight.

There are ever so many riders and trainers who gave up too soon. They just needed to have hung in there another ten years, maybe twenty. Which sounds insane, but actually isn’t.

11/11/2024

Lots of really great information in here for working with any species!

We crafted our first rodent car from a plastic cereal container. After trial and error, my colleagues and I found that rats could learn to drive forward by grasping a small wire that acted like a gas pedal. Before long, they were steering with surprising precision to reach a Froot Loop treat.

10/23/2024

I have some private Competition Obedience or Rally training sessions available in Harvard, MA on Thursday mornings. Message or text me if you'd like to schedule one.

10/06/2024

Hi all, I'm so, so sorry that my Page here is all filled with ads now. :(

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10/06/2024

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09/16/2024

09/08/2024

I am offering a new class in Harvard, MA, as mentioned earlier:

Novice Competition Obedience!

It will be held every *other* Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. for 6 classes (over 12 weeks). This gives you lots of time to practice between classes. Tuition is $185.

You can crate in class, or out of your car. So bring a crate if you want your dog inside during class.

If you are interested in this class, contact me at 978-973-1253.

Note: I have 2 openings in my Tues 10:00 a.m. Open/Utility class and 2 in the 11:15 Foundations for Comp. Obedience/Rally class. Those classes meet weekly.

08/30/2024

The premium for the November NACSW NW1/NW2 trials at Normandy Farms Campground in Foxboro MA is posted on the MasterPeace Dog Training website! Entries will open September 30th!
The Volunteer sign up form is available now. Trials can't run without volunteers. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated!
Questions can be addressed to Pamela DeTore, Trial Host, at [email protected].