Dog Training 101

05/11/2024

Occasionally someone pops along here with the idea that I have no practical experience with dogs, couldn't handle a working dog and that's why I don't understand why 'tools' are needed for some dog breeds.

I was in a bite suit and operationally searching for live explosives with dogs decades ago. Working breeds are easier to train with positive reinforcement because they are literally born to work. Dogs don't need prong collars - poor trainers do - because they haven't learned or skilled up enough.

And if you can't teach a companion breed to volunteer something, by using a marker, you have a long way to go with your training. I would say you're not a dog trainer, because that's brain work. A prong collar is not brain work.

If you think you need to expose an innocent dog to a prong collar you don't. You need to learn more.

It really is as simple as that.

And here endeth the lesson.

All dogs deserve safety.

It's a welfare right.

Don't poke the bear.

I am the bear 🐻😅

23/08/2024

I use a very similar protocol to this when working with big bad reactive and aggressive dogs. Obviously we have to do a lot more safety protocols with adult dogs, but this technique works. Hats off and a great big thumbs up to Ian Dunbar for bringing these methods to the public. It works.

If you want to see my take on this check out our file dog fights in the family.

Www.101dogspots.com/fights-in-the-family

06/04/2024

These are those huge dplashes along the Calapooia!

19/02/2024

Building behavior: Flow, flexibility, build, hold, & combine criteria. Start button & station.Building from mat station to foot handling with start button in...

27/01/2024

As a pro trainer, I am so very proud of this video.

Why?

They aren't flashy. They won't be doing Mondio any time soon.

But what have we got? We have a dog who loves his Mum. He is willing to work for her (despite me being there--the Candy lady!). And we have a Mum who loves her dog and ***is having fun***.

Now--as most of you know, I am a Behavior Nerd. I do big bad bitey dogs. I am not an obedience trainer and I don't do sports training. My goal isn't blue ribbons. My goal is to have a dog that *is not dangerous* to Mum, or strangers (unless, you know, they break in to the house or attack or something). My goal is to have a dog that is really happy, and a pet parent that is happy too--so that they can work on whatever goals they have without worry.

And guess what--I think they have achieved that goal!!

(Yes, now we have new goals!!! Including... gasp... control!)

Luring the stand, building a default sit, and having fun! Love this duo!!

11/01/2024

We've met our goal!!! Thank you everyone for your support. Your generosity makes our hearts full.

Yes, you can still donate, and yes, your donations will help us help more people and their pups.

Thank you--thank you everyone!

And please consider following us on ko-fi, or at 101dogspots, katesdogs, or dog training 101 community on facebook! ❤️

Become a supporter of 101DogSpots today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

11/01/2024

We've met our goal!!! Thank you everyone for your support. Your generosity makes our hearts full.

Yes, you can still doate, and yes, your donations will help us help more people and their pups.

Thank you--thank you everyone!

And please consider following us on ko-fi, or at 101dogspots, katesdogs, or dog training 101 community on facebook! ❤️

Become a supporter of 101DogSpots today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

10/01/2024

Hey everyone! We rarely ask for $$, but this year we are awash in vet bills. We run the dog traini g 101 community as a free help site for dog owners everywhere.

If you are a dog owner--you know how important timely, professional advice and support can be.

If you are a trainer, not only do you know how important timely supportive advice is, but how important it is to be referred to a trainer. The right trainer--whether that be a blog or a puppy expert or a behavior consultant.

We are also here for novice and fledgeling trainers to practice and get feedback.

If any of these things sound like something you support, please consider giving $1. Our goal is modest, and we are 63% there already!

Thank you!

Become a supporter of 101DogSpots today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

10/01/2024

Become a supporter of 101DogSpots today! ❤️ Ko-fi lets you support the creators you love with no fees on donations.

14/10/2022

07/07/2022

Spray bottles and Rattle cans--what do you think?

Lots of people think spray bottles and rattle cans don't hurt, so it's OK to use them.

What they don't know is that is causes the same kind of fear (neurological response) as actually hurting the dog.

Dog training can be a bit complex--we don't always know how a dog is going to react, and what he will learn; especially when we are using fear. If we are using fun and enjoyable activities to teach, it's easy to make course corrections. When we are using fear-based techniques, it can be really hard to fix the damage.

Dogs can either become *sensitized* to the tool, becoming more and more afraid, and possibly leading to avoiding the spray bottle, or worse yet, avoiding you. Or the pups can become *desensitized*, and you will end up in an arms race, using ever more assertive and forceful corrections to get the same reaction. Neither of these is what we want!

Instead, we just want to teach the puppy to do "the right thing".

How do we do that you ask?

We prevent, redirect, and reward.

Remember that.

🎯Prevent. Redirect. and Reward.

🎯Prevention.
Manage your pup so he can't get in trouble--use baby gates, or reduce arousal before the nip, take the garbage out or ask for some help from a family member. etc. Be creative!
Meet needs! Does your puppy go bonkers when he hasn't been outside in a while or when you've worked all day? Make sure to get him out before he is nuts! This applies to all sorts of problem behaviors--puppy temper tantrums can often be prevented by making sure he gets enough sleep or gets regular meals and potty walks.

🎯Redirect
Teach your puppy a "call out" cue or to pay attention to you when you make a squeeky sound--pay well! If you give treats, run away or have fun when you make that sound, your dog will love giving you his attention!

🎯Reward
Remember that pay well? Yep, if you are the fun guy (and not the fun police), and you often (not always) pay with yummy treats, and you help your pup get his needs met... he will really listen to you when it matters!

So have fun--remember, behavior you can live with!

01/07/2022

Delayed, non linear behavior from puppyhood to adolescence. Skinner is rolling in his grave.

Official Post from Caitlin

16/06/2022

I have had several requests to share my knowledge on behavior consults--working the difficult cases.

Do you take difficult cases? Do you want to take difficult cases?

What is your foundation?

https://www.patreon.com/posts/67867664

11/06/2022

🎯 Let your Dog...dog!

🎯 Did you know? One of the biggest causes of behavior problems is simply not getting a chance to do doggy things, run free, act silly, and basically be themselves.

See post for more ideas!

🎯 Let your Dog...dog!

🎯 Did you know? One of the biggest causes of behavior problems is simply not getting a chance to do doggy things, run free, act silly, and basically be themselves.

🐾 We ask our dogs to be on their best behavior all day, everyday, doing things that are not at all natural and normal (heeling, laying feet from the garbage, walking past poo without so much as a good snorfle, accepting strangers as long lost friends, listening to doorbells and dog barks like it's normal and OK...). Yep, just like guys like to have a 🍺 and watch the game and women like to take off their brazier and 🛀, your dog needs a chance to 🏃‍♀️ and play and just Be A Dog (OK, some women like to have a beer and some guys might want to loosen their drawstrings...or whatever.)

What are some activities you CAN do?
🎯 Follow-the-nose and follow your dog!
🎯 Sniffie walk on a long line
🎯 Off-leash time in a safe area
🎯 A walk in the weeds
🎯 Lay on the porch and enjoy some fresh air

For some more blogs on all thigs dog, check out our webpage www.101DogSpots.com

If you believe dogs should be dogs, share!

10/05/2022

What do you think?

Are you a trainer? D you agree?

Official Post from Caitlin

05/05/2022

Official Post from Caitlin

28/04/2022

It's that season again! Did you know that the most important things to do with your puppy aren't sit, down, and stay"?

Did you know...
🎯 The most important skills for your puppy to learn are relaxation, connection, and good greetings!
🎯 Puppy training works best when you start early. The 8 to 12 week period is critical for socialization and good bonding.
🎯 Your voice and touch are powerful rewards. Use them positively so you don't have to rely on treats.
🎯 Focus on positive, fun and safe feelings during puppy development and socialization to avoid fear and aggression.
🎯 Be happy! Positive reinforcement works best when training your puppy. Don't yell or punish. Yelling and punishment can cause fear, which can weaken your bond and amplify aggression.
🎯 Train in short 5-10 minute sessions throughout the day to match baby attention span. Puppies, like humans, need to recharge a lot. They can't focus for long periods of time. So maximize your training by keeping sessions short, intersperse with play, adventures, and naptime.

😍 Did you know we have a course just for puppies? https://101dogspots.com/product/puppy-essentials/
😍 We also have free resources here! www.101DogSpots.com/tag/puppy-training

It's that season again! Did you know that the most important things to do with your puppy aren't sit, down, and stay"?

Did you know...
🎯 The most important skills for your puppy to learn are relaxation, connection, and good greetings!

🎯 Puppy training works best when you start early. The 8 to 12 week period is critical for socialization and good bonding.

🎯 Your voice and touch are powerful rewards. Use them positively so you don't have to rely on treats.

🎯 Focus on positive, fun and safe feelings during puppy development and socialization to avoid fear and aggression.

🎯 Be happy! Positive reinforcement works best when training your puppy. Don't yell or punish. Yelling and punishment can cause fear, which can weaken your bond and amplify aggression.

🎯 Train in short 5-10 minute sessions throughout the day to match baby attention span. Puppies, like humans, need to recharge a lot. They can't focus for long periods of time. So maximize your training by keeping sessions short, intersperse with play, adventures, and naptime.

😍 Did you know we have a course just for puppies? https://101dogspots.com/product/puppy-essentials/

😍 We also have free resources here! www.101DogSpots.com/tag/puppy-training