Dog Training
Puppy Socialization Essentials
Most people know they should introduce their new puppy to dogs and people while they're still young - but there's a lot more to socialization than meeting dogs and people! During the first three months of a puppy's life, they should have as many different positive experiences as possible, including as wide a variety as possible of people and [...]
The Art & Science of Heeling
The Art & Science of Heeling By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 Designed by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI "Heeling is a dance of special connection with my [...]
The Power of Fun in Dog Training
Being a fun detective pays off huge in dog training It’s six am and while sleeping in your bed, feeling cozy and content, your puppy has pounced on you! If [...]
Why Counter Conditioning Doesn’t Work
A common criticism of counter conditioning is that it does not work. While there can be many reasons why a behavior modification protocol based on counter conditioning fails it is [...]
Health & Safety
Say “No” To Dog Parks: Here’s Why & Better Alternatives
Say “No” To Dog Parks: Here’s Why & Better Alternatives By Kimberly Archer Dog Behavior Technician As a dog parent you just want the best for your pup, and as such most of us want [...]
Laser Pointers & Our Dogs: Are They Really Having Fun?
By Beth Napolitano, CPDT Many of us are familiar with the red or green beam of light from laser pointers that may be useful during presentations to direct the attention of an audience. Perhaps even [...]
Animal Abuse Harms People Too
by Daniel Antolec If you are reading this blog then I may safely assume you are an animal lover, but sometimes love is not enough. Sometimes advocacy through direction action is required. I post this [...]
Dog Agility Training
AKC Offers a New Agility Program for Newcomers to the Sport
The American Kennel Club has begun offering a new program that makes agility more accessible to newcomers. According to the AKC’s website (https://www.akc.org/events/agility/act-program/), the ACT will be available in two levels. “ACT1 is designed [...]
Million Dollar Dog Games
Million Dollar Dog Games is looking for dogs to compete in a cross discipline competition featuring Agility, Dock Diving and Flying Disc for CASH. Read more about it >
Tighten Those Turns
By Brenna Fender Several dog sports benefit from tight turns. Agility is the most obvious one, but rally and traditional obedience also include about turns that are best done tightly around the handler. Turning tightly [...]
Courteous Canine Articles
Why I Kiss My Dogs
Why I Kiss My Dogs What my dogs taught me about finding the joy in life By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 edited by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI Stevie Life is [...]
Beware the Giant African Land Snail
Beware the Giant African Land Snail By Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI The Giant African Land Snail is an incredibly dangerous snail invasive to Florida, and it is also irradicated with an equally dangerous bait, [...]
The Power of Fun in Dog Training
Being a fun detective pays off huge in dog training It’s six am and while sleeping in your bed, feeling cozy and content, your puppy has pounced on you! If your dog is mentally or [...]
Why Counter Conditioning Doesn’t Work
A common criticism of counter conditioning is that it does not work. While there can be many reasons why a behavior modification protocol based on counter conditioning fails it is almost always user error not [...]
Being Wrong is Right
Turns out that humans have a huge problem-- we love to be right. The problem is that this is dangerous and actually causes serious tragedies and even death, according to Being Wrong: Adventures in the [...]
Dog Training 101: What is Clicker Training?
Dog Training 101: What is Clicker Training? By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., CDBC, CAP2 edited by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI Clicker training is a training method using a handheld plastic box that makes a clicking [...]
Tampa Bay Times Interview: Dog’s good manners according to a Lutz expert
By Philip Morgan, Tampa Bay Times Correspondent Originally published by the Tampa Bay Times here. Angelica Steinker loved dogs early on. “When I was little, I begged my parents for a brother or sister, and [...]
Click & Praise
Click & Praise By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 Imagine a reward your dog will never fill up on, a reward that can last exactly as long as you want, and makes your dog incredibly [...]
Play, Don’t Train
Play, Don't Train By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 Are your clients less motivated then you would like them to be? Stop telling them to train their dogs, and start telling them to play. It [...]
Is Your Dog Bored?
Is Your Dog Bored? Enrich Your Dog’s Life! By Kimberly Archer, Dog Behavior Technician Have you ever wondered what a day is like through your dog’s eyes? You may wake up, have breakfast, catch [...]
The Truth About Dominance Theory
The Truth About Dominance Theory By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 The truth is there is nothing noble in being superior to another being. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former [...]
Preparing Your Dog For Your New Baby
Preparing Your Dog For Your New Baby By Heather Gibbs, CPDT-KA, ABCDT, SBA Overview Preparing for a new baby's arrival can be an exciting and stressful time for all family members involved - especially your [...]
Say “No” To Dog Parks: Here’s Why & Better Alternatives
Say “No” To Dog Parks: Here’s Why & Better Alternatives By Kimberly Archer Dog Behavior Technician As a dog parent you just want the best for your pup, and as such most of us want [...]
Pitfalls of Punishment
Author’s Note: Positive punishment is when you add something unpleasant when an undesirable behavior is displayed to discourage that behavior. Negative punishment is when you take away something pleasant when an undesirable behavior is displayed [...]
Agility for Dogs with Issues
This means that for some dogs playing the game of agility around other dogs can make other dogs seem fun also. The same thing can happen if a dog is afraid of people, being around people when doing agility can come to signal fun.