Blue Barn Ranch

12/07/2025

POV

Adoption And Rescue

Adoption and rescue is a "part of the solution", kind and admirable choice and Blue Barn Ranch supports the amazing humans that choose this path.

Adoption and rescue is not without challenge and effort. Despite the dog's sad, unfortunate or even abusive past, you must use all four quadrants of operant conditioning for effective training.

Build a strong relationship through positive time together. Fulfill your dog physically and mentally every day to channel their energy. Teach desired behavior and lavishly reward it. Correct unhealthy, dangerous behavior with good timing so that they remain welcome in your home.

The goal is and always will be to help dogs. Let's get to work!

12/07/2025

12/07/2025

Bet has been working on a new behavior chain!

She is cued front to center. She is cued down and then she (slowly ;) ) executes rollover from the off side!

Random cueing maintains focus, combining behaviors in new ways is enriching and fun!

Good girl Bet!

12/07/2025

At just 5 months old Gizmo is almost as big as Brim. He has significant aggression and leash reactivity.

This is the reality of backyard breeding, isolation, removing puppies from their mother prior to eight weeks and dumping them by the side of the road.

The training was challenging today, but progress was made and Gizmo was able to sit within feet of Brim.

12/07/2025

Reality Or Regret

Aggression And Leash Reactivity Part 2

The reality is that effective training occurs when you use all four quadrants of operant conditioning.

Correction does not create a negative association with the trigger! Well-timed correction informs Gizmo of the dangerous, unhealthy behavior that is unacceptable.

The regret is that it is emotionally challenging to punish/correct our dogs, but is is essential to teach Gizmo there is a consequence to aggression.

Gizmo was positively reinforced for desired behavior. This second video was made at the end of his session.

There is work to do! Keep watching.

12/07/2025

Reality Or Regret

Trigger Warning (This video contains correction that some people may find disturbing. )

Aggression and Leash Reactivity Part 1

The reality is that 5 month old Gizmo is one of the lucky ones! He was one of 10 puppies separated from their mother and dumped prior to eight weeks old.

His family is committed to helping him! The foundation is positive time together providing calm leadership with firm rules and boundaries.

This puppy has already attacked one of his housemates and is beginning to overwhelm the other currently larger dog in the family.

Gizmo's daily exercise is being increased and he is working on basic obedience to fulfill him both physically and mentally.

Part of the plan is to neuter Gizmo as soon as possible to reduce hormonal aggression prior to it becoming a well established habit.

The frustrating regret is that this situation could have been avoided by spaying and neutering!

If you are considering allowing your dogs to reproduce, please visit any shelter and consider the number of dogs currently without homes!

Props to Gizmo's family! There is work ahead, but they will do it!

Please watch Part 2 to see Gizmo's progress.

12/06/2025

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12/06/2025

Reality Or Regret

Freedom

The reality of freedom requires training, rules and effort. It allows dogs to experience true joy!

The regret of allowing too much freedom too soon is destruction and danger!

Start with small incremental steps and supervise when working toward off leash freedom. Freedom is earned through consistent training, rules, boundaries and gradual exposure.

Seek qualified, professional help if you are stuck! There is shared happiness ahead.

12/06/2025

Warm wishes for a happy holiday season!

12/06/2025

"When you know better, you do better." Maya Angelou

As we learn, gain experience and understanding it is our responsibility to take action and improve our choices.

Keep an open mindset, use the science of dog training and apply it artfully. You will evolve into a wiser, more effective and capable handler.

Leave your experience in the comments if you have changed your mind about training, tools, using all four quadrants of operant conditioning or the benefits of becoming your dog's leader/coach!

12/05/2025

POV

Alarms Blare!

The alarms blare and the goal of helping dogs through training is lost in the chaos and confusion!

"Don't use training collars! Never correct your dog! You will create negative associations! Going over threshold is a disaster!"

Training tools correctly selected, properly fitted and skillfully used increase safety, improve communication and facilitate learning. Correction with good timing is necessary to inform your dog of behavior that is dangerous, unhealthy and not permitted. Proper, skillful training does not create negative associations with things, it informs the dog of unwanted behavior. Going "over threshold" is likely in the beginning stages of training. The skilled handler divides the task into smaller bits to facilitate learning. This builds confidence and resilience in dogs!

Ignore the blaring alarms! Seek professional help with a qualified trainer that has experience. You and your dog will feel better AND do better! Let's get to work!

12/05/2025

Reality Or Regret

Correction Is Information

The reality is that correction is information that makes it clear to your dog what you don't want! You must also provide information about what you DO want and redirect your dog to that. Effective training occurs using all four quadrants of operant conditioning.

Regret is certain and lives are limited when the handler does not provide necessary information with kindness, skill and patience!

You can learn how to help your dog and it won't take months! Let's get to work!