StairStep Dog Training

26/08/2024

It's national Dog day. Let's see all the dogs.

18/08/2024

"I had a colleague ask me to create a post about positive reinforcement. She was curious about my response to prospective clients who specified or questioned whether I used positive reinforcement in my training. My colleague added that occasionally, she would get an inquiry that demanded only positive reinforcement training be used on their dog.

When she asks these folks what they mean, most people respond with the usual tropes about not wanting their dogs abused or injured. This is fair. I am concerned about the recent proliferation of ‘trainers’ being caught on camera physically abusing dogs. As trainers, we have a fundamental duty to prioritize the welfare of the dogs we work with. It’s crucial not to confuse some individuals’ misuse of training methods or tools with the appropriate applications of those things.

These are the landmines we face as a trade because our language has been hijacked. We argue over the semantics, even when the definitions are quite clear. Not that we wouldn’t use positive reinforcement, but as I stated in a previous post, it’s the intimation that we are using methods and/or tools that harm more than help.

The world wide web is a magical place. It enables folks to discover things they don’t know, but it requires some divination to transcend the first page of a Google search. There is always more information that reveals flaws in logic. It is human nature to be curious, but the internet has made us less so. And we cling to our confirmation bias.

In the information age, it can be challenging to sift through all the misinformation, as sensationalism often overshadows the details of any topic. Just look at how divisive politics and religion have become, and how difficult it is to hear news that isn’t tainted with opinions instead of facts."

The FB algorithms don't like links that take you off their property, so you can read the rest of the article at the link in the comments. If you are seeing this from a shared post, click on the image to take you to the original.

30/07/2024

Dogs have truly been the best friend mankind's had. Work with your dog to get back to the roots of why we were so compatible. Work with your dog, train your dog, play with your dog.

30/07/2024

Just a few dogs we have trained with.

11/07/2024

Romey is such a good boy.

11/07/2024

We have oodles of Doodles for training. Teddy and Dolly will be learning all the basics.

04/07/2024

03/07/2024

Romy is out and about. Such a good dog.

03/07/2024

Fourth of July is coming

01/07/2024

What do you do when you have a Border Collie in for training? You herd sheep, of course!
Romy is 4 and 1/2 and has never seen a sheep in his life.

16/06/2024

This why we use Ruffland Kennels for transport.

04/06/2024

Long read but worth the time. There is a reason my dogs stay intact.

Neutering (including spaying) of male and female dogs in the first year after birth has become routine in the U.S. and much of Europe, but recent research reveals that for some dog breeds, neutering may be associated with increased risks of debilitating joint disorders and some cancers, complicating...

14/05/2024

This is why there are bravery tests in dog sports. This dog did well.

A Cochrane resident says his dog saved him from a charging grizzly sow in an encounter just outside the town.

26/04/2024

Juno is out and about

20/04/2024

Juno is learning to work under distraction.

14/04/2024

Took Opie out to the Tradition Farmers Market this morning. He was a good boy.

06/04/2024

Here is the radio interview I did on April 1st.

Who learns the most when working with a dog trainer? You might be surprised but it's YOU!Miles McGrath is your host this week and his guest is, Greg Hollen,...

31/03/2024

Tomorrow, Monday April 1st, I will be on WPSL 1490 on the am dial at 10 o'clock. Tuning in, turn it up and rip the k**b off.

19/02/2024

Bruce Arbogast

We are conducting a new study, “Characterizing TV Watching in Dogs!” For this study, we will be evaluating how often dogs watch TV, as well as what temperament characteristics are linked to TV watching in dogs. Participation in this study will include the completion of an anonymous, online survey. The survey is expected to take 30 minutes to complete.

To participate, you must be 18 years old or older and the primary owner of a dog. The survey may be accessed at the link below. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]!

https://auburn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_02JPqh8wwHhLOT4

26/01/2024

Luna is in da house for training. 4 year old Husky/Pit mix.

24/01/2024

Just following me around

24/01/2024

Piper got to go out and about