Dog Training 101

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

28/04/2022

Are you a new trainer? Are you trying to decide what is ethical? Come join the conversation!

Join Caitlin on Patreon to get access to this post and more benefits.

05/04/2022

How often do you crate your dog?

What can you do to help your dog transition out of the crate?

🧏 Is it OK to crate your dog?

🎯 The answer is yes and no, and here is one reason why.

PRO:
Crates can prevent problem behaviors
CON:
Crates can cause problem behaviors.

DISCUSSION:
Crates are a management tool. They physically prevent a dog from peeing on your carpet, jumping on guests or biting your friend. The problem is, they are a management tool--it doesn't teach your dog not to piddle on your carpet, jump on guests or bite your friend. It doesn't help with the emotional arousal that leads to jumping up, or biting, and can even inhibit the behaviors that communicate "I need to go out".

🐾 Piddling and pooping
For your dog to learn not to piddle on the carpet--he needs to gain muscle control, and learn that the potty area is outside. Dogs naturally don't want to soil in their bedroom--so how can you make your living room feel like their bedroom? By snuggling there, by napping there (bonus--this will also help your puppy learn to self calm!). Use crates for a limited time only when you can't supervise, or better yet, use a few baby gates to cordon off areas where you can't see your pup, and get your pup outside frequently (we have more suggestions on our www.101DogSpots.com site!)

🐾 Jumping on guests
Jumping on guests is such a natural behavior that we all have to train for it. What is training? Repeated experience leading to a relatively permanent change in behavior. How do we do it? By practicing, a lot! Don't allow your puppy to greet if overexcited--let them look for 3 seconds, then move on. If pup stays calm, let them approach, put few treats on the ground to direct their attention downward, then move on. Ask people to stay still and let puppy sniff. Do this 101 times!

🐾 Aggression and reactivity
Aggression and reactivity almost always stem from fear. Prevent your dog from approaching guests while fearful. See our "Thanksgiving Guests" protocol on www.101DogSpots.com for one way to help your pup become more comfortable with strangers. We recommend working with a pro to get the fastest and safest results.

🐾 Crates are best used for limited periods of time*. Your pup should feel comfortable and relaxed in a crate before you use it. We recommend teaching a pup all the skills he needs to know without the crate.

* No research has been done on the amount of time a pup can be left in a crate without suffering behavior consequences. In our experience, it varies quite a bit based on temperament of the dog, what kind and how much stimulation he gets in a day (both calm and active stimulation), and how well the dog is conditioned to the crate. For now, we are recommending crating for travel and sporting events. When left alone, young pups should have a playpen around the crate to provide adequate freedom. All dogs should be trained to be comfortable in the house without a crate.

04/04/2022

Seriously.... I am on Patreon???

Join Caitlin on Patreon to get access to this post and more benefits.

02/04/2022

🧏 What do you think he is feeling?

🎯 What BODY LANGUAGE supports your hypothesis?

😉 Hint: This is one of my clients and foster pups--look at those eyes!)

Post your favorite body language pic (or video!) of your dog below!

07/03/2022

Where do you come down on the "unlabel me" trend?

Who is your most important consumer--other trainers or dog guardians?

22/01/2021

Wow! Looking forward to this talk Karolina Westlund, Ass. Professor of Ethology, about "Who Has Control"

9:30 AM Pac Saturday Jan 23rd, 2021.

Please join our facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dogtraining101

Karolina Westlund: Who Has Control?

9:30 AM Pacific, only on DogTraining 101!

Join Dog Training 101 Now! https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dogtraining101

Join us this Sat at 9:30 AM Pacific as Karolina talks about the intriguing and exciting world of control in animal training. Most likely, you've heard lots of things about "control", how to get it, who should have it. come here the latest science from Associate Professor Karolina Westlund!

Karolina Westlund helps pet lovers and animal professionals get happier animals that thrive in the care of humans. She grew up pining for a kitten for several years, and pestering her parents until they gave up. The green-eyed black half-siamese cat that she got for her seventh birthday became a true friend who lived to be 21 years old, but an easily startled cat who often went into hiding when there were visitors.

Karolina had grand ideas about becoming a field biologist, but that never came about – the closest she got was working as a trekking travel guide in France and Madeira. Instead she majored in Ethology and developed a passionate interest in animal welfare seen through a multidisciplinary lens, including Behaviour Analysis and Affective Neuroscience. She is now an Associate Professor of Ethology at the University of Stockholm, mostly teaching how behaviour management can be used to improve animal welfare.
She offers live seminars, free online webinars and masterclasses in addition to more extensive online courses, as well as the occasional blog post or scientific publication on the topic of enrichment, animal training and wellbeing.

She lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with her husband, two kids, and a new cat companion.

15/09/2020

🌟What is YOUR happiness spot?🌟

🔑🌟🤩🌈🥎
Some dogs love frisbee, some water, some pigeons, and some the couch! What is your cuties happiness spot?
🥎🌈🤩🌟🔑

Remember, we do online consults! Just $15 for $15 minutes, any topic. Let us help you get started!

15/08/2020

My bed exploded!!!!

What's the worse thing your puppy has shredded?

What do you give your puppy so they can satisfy their desires to shred?

12/08/2020

🐾 Remember when life was THIS fun?

🐾 Post some then and now photos of your pup!

💕 Photo courtesy of Autumn Arsenault and Sasaki!

11/08/2020

🌟What is YOUR happiness spot?🌟

🔑🌟🤩🌈🥎🛎Some dogs love frisbee, some water, some pigeons, and some the couch! What is your cuties happiness spot? Share a pic below!!!🛎⚾️🌈🤩🌟🔑

🌟What is YOUR happiness spot?🌟

🔑🌟🤩🌈🥎🛎Some dogs love frisbee, some water, some pigeons, and some the couch! What is your cuties happiness spot? Share a pic below!!!🛎⚾️🌈🤩🌟🔑

03/08/2020

Dogs growl as part of their communication--don't step on me, don't steal my toy, I am afraid, please move away.

How can we build trust and prevent growling? How can we "retrain" a dog who has resorted to growling?

Check out our "units" on the Dog Training 101 Community Forum for lots of free resources.

If you want individual help--we are here for you. Just send us a message. Intro video consults are just $15 for 15 minutes.

Got a growly dog? Message us for a 1:1 online consult!
First visit is just $15 for 15 minutes!

01/08/2020

What do you do when you feel uncomfortable in a social situation? Do you fiddle with your hands, get out your phone or excuse yourself? 😳

Dogs also have similar strategies, but we don't always see them; these are called 'Calming Signals' and are subtle behaviours used to show stress and discomfort and to diffuse tension in ambiguous social-situations.

Have you ever seen your dog yawn, even though they weren't tired? Or stop in the middle of play to sniff the ground? They could be using these very signals! This means your dog has excellent body language skills. 🙌

You can also clearly see them being used in Youtube videos by certain punishment-based trainers that may be trying to 'dominate' the dog, but when looking at the dog's body language and calming signals, we can see the dog is trying their utmost to diffuse the situation, rather than take them on as an aggressor...

'Calming signals' are truly key in dog-on-dog interactions, not only in their use but also in other dogs recognising them; if a dog is showing clear signals they are uncomfortable and if another dog ignores it, this is when aggression and other problematic situations occur. This is exactly the same with people, so if you see your (or another) dog displaying calming signals when a human is interacting with them, make sure you take steps to give that dog space. 😊

**It is also important to be aware of breeds, as some, like the bulldog here, may have the whites of their eyes showing, due to droopy skin etc. Always be aware of context.

22/07/2020

Now enrolling in our puppy course!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PuppyEssentialsII/

Don't pet without consent. Ask first!

Dogs, and their people need to consent to being petted--he don't know he is the cutest thing ever born yet, and he's not sure if you might be trying to eat him!

Check out our puppy course enrolling now!
Puppy Essentials!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PuppyEssentialsII/

06/07/2020

Did you know that 101DogSpots has online trainers?

We are USA-based, serving dogs and their humans with life's little problems!

We believe that every dog has the right to be heard, and every human has the right to an enjoyable dog friend!

We are force and fear free--making the world a better place, one family at a time!