Go Dog Pro

08/09/2024

07/09/2024

Dogs, much like humans, communicate through a range of signals. Often, we only realise something is wrong when our dogs start behaving in ways that are impossible to ignore. However, much like human communication, many messages are conveyed long before the situation escalates. Consider a conversatio...

05/09/2024

So ditch dominance. Park the prong. Stop the shock. Use treats to train your dog. If you stick to reward-based methods only, you’ll have a dog who is happier, has better manners, and has a better relationship with you.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fellow-creatures/202408/more-treats-please-no-tugging-the-leash-in-dog-training?fbclid=IwY2xjawFF06ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYhswBvzQ4A9bkBXEnZysLGJREvbAKvF33Z4RqcO3HiGdRXZ02D3qbcSsg_aem_1Qgb5GeTvn_OFrm1zMp8XQ

Science shows that aversive methods have risks for dogs’ welfare, so we have to keep explaining that the best approach to dog training is one that uses rewards.

31/08/2024

It is a common misconception that positive reinforcement implies that you simply reward behaviors you want to see more of & ignore those you don't. Yes, there are some behaviors that you might ignore in order to prevent reinforcement (harmless, nuisance behaviors), however it is always important to prevent dangerous or destructive behaviors using management while teaching your dog which alternate behaviors (DRA) are acceptable instead.

Teaching this dog a polite relaxation on a mat (because a dog lying on a mat can be begging but likely isn't, this is known as DRA - differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior; if you were teaching lying on a mat to prevent jumping, it's DRI - differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior, because a dog physically cannot be lying down and jumping at the same time) while blocking access from the kitchen counter, or keeping the dog tethered in the dining room or living room (prevention through management), would be preventing the problem behavior and simultaneously training the dog what behaviors are appropriate instead of begging for food.

Next, set up Antecedent Arrangements (putting the mat near the table for easy treat delivery - or away from it with a Treat & Train/Manners Minder/Pet Tutor/PetGeek other food delivery system, having treats or a yummy chewy to feed on the mat, etc.) in a way that sets the dog up to succeed.

Add positive reinforcement, and you've got a verifiable training plan in order to teach this dog how to stop begging.

You can't just ignore the problem behavior - but you can prevent it, and heavily reinforce a desirable behavior instead. No punishment needed.

30/08/2024

Enough is enough

28/08/2024

To summarize quickly, the current debate centers on whether there is common philosophical ground to be found among what many have taken to calling ‘balanced’ trainers – where the use of both positive and compulsion methods are employed to both teach behaviors and stop unwanted behavior – and positive trainers who avoid the use of physical punishment. Listening to the two camps go at one another through post after post on social media, I realized that despite all the noise, it’s actually very simple:
Either you’re ok using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not.

I am not.

Either you’re ok using methods and equipment when working with dogs that cause pain, fear, and purposeful discomfort, or you’re not. I am not.

27/08/2024

Check out A Very Gem K9’s video.

26/08/2024

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16/07/2024

When we punish dogs for growling, even if they're growling at our child, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving us warning signs and "bites out of the blue."
And, that's how we create dangerous dogs. I'd much rather have a dog growl and tell me they're upset (so we have a chance to intervene and help them) than a dog who just bites without any warning signs.

07/07/2024

01/07/2024

I’d like you to think about the last time something really pi**ed you off. Or the last time something upset you. Or the last time you lost your cool.

Then I’d like you to think about the last time your dog lost their cool.

We often have vastly different expectations for ourselves compared to our dogs. I’m certainly not a master of regulating my own emotions. Sometimes it’s my own dogs that have really pi**ed me off!

However it’s important to remember that dog and human team is comprised of two mammals who often have limited ability to control their emotions and both ends of the lead need to be shown some kindness and grace when things go awry.

15/06/2024

Let's talk about this photo. It's cute, except it's not. I see a dog who cannot get up without telling the child to get off. How do you think a dog is going to do that?

The 7 Golden Toddler Dog Rules:
#1: If a dog walks away from you, you DO NOT FOLLOW.
#2: Always leave room for the dog to walk away from you.
---that right there is 90+% of dog bites eliminated---
#3: We do not climb on the dog.
#4: We do not grab or pull on the dog.
#5: We do not hit or throw anything at the dog.
#6: We do not touch the dog's food.
#7: We do not go into the dog's kennel.

I promise these are not overly difficult concepts for littles, nor will they rob a kid of their bond with the family dog. It will deepen that bond, while keeping everyone safe.

"Oh, it looks like Moose is walking away from you. She is saying she wants a break. Let's play with this instead!"

"It's Moose's dinner time! Let's give her space to enjoy her yummies."

"That is Moose's room(kennel) and only she is allowed to go in there."

"If Moose wanted a break, could she walk away from you right now? No she really couldn't. Let's move away from the play house. You can keep playing but now she can leave when she wants a break."

In conclusion, ***parent your child or your dog will do it for you, and you will not like how they do it.***