Fetch Rules Cheat Sheet for Judges and Competitors
Interested in the new AKC Fetch program this article will give you an overview of the rules for all four levels. Use it to train or to prepare for competition. Click the button below to see the article! Read the Handout
How to Identify Resource Guarding
Though resource guarding is a perfectly natural impulse for a dog to have, it can also be an incredibly dangerous one. If resource guarding is not appropriately identified then a person, oftentimes a child, can get hurt. Most people know that dogs may resource guard their food but did you know there are lots of other things dogs resource guard? Dogs may resource guard their [...]
To Crate or Not to Crate
By Angelica Steinker, M.Ed., C.D.B.C, CAP2 designed by Kimberly "Kim" Archer, CPDT-KA, CTDI It has become a popular notion to crate dogs, especially during adolescence to encourage a reinforcement history with people rather than the environment. However, is keeping a dog crated for 23.5 hours a day appropriate? This article does not aim to exclusively answer any of the questions posed but [...]
Empowerment Training: Being the Best Dog Parent
1 You are limited to controlling your own behavior. You can’t truly control your dog. The only being we can control is ourselves. Remember how much power there is in being irresistible. Be irresistibly fun to your dog. 2 3 Spend time with your dog – talk, laugh, listen, be interested in them, and be [...]
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 dog. Some view it as merely a mechanical exercise, but for me it is the ultimate connection of our two spirits.” – Ruth E Barish, avid obedience competitor and author In the world of dogs [...]
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 noise when depressed by a trainer. This click allows a trainer to mark a very precise moment in time, communicating to a dog exactly when they did something desired. The [...]
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 happy. No magic, no trickery, it's just good old praise. In the last few decades dog trainers and pet s have made the transition of moving from force training, using [...]
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 often much easier to get them to be consistent when they are having fun. Are you feeling a little bored with your own dog’s training? Stop training, and start [...]
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.
Tampa Dog Trainer Brenna Fender: What is UpDog?
Tampa Dog Trainer Brenna Fender: What’s UpDog? UpDog is a brand new dog sport organization created by Kat and Jack Fahle, Andrea and Jason Rigler, and Babz Mahony. These dedicated disc doggers wanted to expand their favorite sport to include a wider variety of dogs – and people – than seen at typical disc dog events. Traditionally, while many people enjoy games with discs in [...]
Tampa Dog Trainer Brenna Fender: New Trainer and New Class at Courteous Canine, Inc.!
New Trainer and New Class at Courteous Canine, Inc.! By Brenna Fender Did you ever see a dog do some really cool tricks and think, “Wow, I’d love my dog to be able to do that”? Do you just know that your dog could do amazing tricks if you just knew how to teach him? Courteous Canine DogSmith of Tampa can help you do just that! Certified [...]
Tampa Dog Trainer Brenna Fender: The ABCs of Tracking and Other Games
Tampa Dog Trainer Brenna Fender The ABCs of Tracking and Other Games By Brenna Fender American Kennel Club (AKC) is probably the most well-known organization in the United States to sanction tracking. You can read the AKC tracking regulations and get other info at https://www.akc.org/dog_shows_trials/tracking/. Beginning tracking dogs learn on short, straight tracks with their handlers close by. Cross-tracks are found in some tracking tests [...]
