by Denise Fenzi | Apr 10, 2013 | Musings, Raika
Trainers often say that they don’t need to know why a problem exists in order to fix it; they simply look at the behavior and address it. I disagree. I find that identifying the underlying source of the problem is critically important, otherwise the trainer is...
by Denise Fenzi | Jan 13, 2012 | Lyra
Along with Lyra’s adult teeth came a brain. A very nice combination. Her worries disappeared – almost overnight. Everywhere I’ve taken her this week she’s been a rock. With people, she’s even more social than she was as a very small...
by Denise Fenzi | Dec 29, 2011 | Lyra
Lyra is the wierdest puppy I’ve ever raised. Certainly she is helping me understand what is meant by a “fear period,” because her ups and downs are much more pronounced than what I’ve seen in my other dogs. In a two week span, she’s gone...
by Denise Fenzi | Dec 22, 2011 | Lyra
Right now, Lyra has about one great session for every three mediocre ones. There seem to be several things going on. For starters, she’s teething. I think that makes her feel a little off. She is also in something of a fear period. I can’t work her in...
by Denise Fenzi | Dec 13, 2011 | Lyra
Today’s blog post was supposed to be a video illustration on teaching a dog to “out” (let go) of a toy. Lyra had other ideas. She decided that my video assistant, Katie, was a potentially scary person, and playing with me and my silly toys was not as important as...
by Denise Fenzi | Dec 8, 2011 | Most Viewed Posts, Musings
My son’s school has begun preparations for their their annual holiday pageant. Each year, dozens of smiling children sing a variety of holiday tunes for their adoring parents. Except for my son. He stands, frozen, no movement visible in his lips. Each year I...