What happens if?

I recently wrote a blog about the importance of asking “Why”. If you don’t know why something might work, don’t try it! Now I want to refine that discussion. While I need to know why something might work before I try it, I do not need to know...

the BEST way to train

If I am shaping a retrieve and my dog moves her mouth one inch from the dumbbell to half an inch, then I am closer to my goal.  I will mark and reward. But consider this. Rather than watching the dog’s mouth in relation to the dumbbell, someone else might be...

Problem Solving: Go back! and…

I wrote this for the TEAM Player Facebook group but thought I’d throw it out here as well since it applies to all dog sports. When you’re struggling to get a behavior, try this: “Thoughts on problem-solving for TEAM: Are you “Stuck” on a...

Is it time to take stock?

Is it time to step back and take stock of your training? On a typical training day, I head out of my house to my training area with whatever dog I want to train. I have a pretty good idea what I’m going to work on before I walk out the door, but mostly my plan...

Sit, Down and Stand from a Distance

I teach Cue Discrimination for a variety of reasons.  I needed it in competition for Mondio Ring Sport (sit, down or stand under “adversity”), for TEAM3 (Two positions at 20 feet with the handler taking unusual positions) and now…AKC is proposing...

Motivational Training. Until….

It’s easy to be a “motivational” trainer when everything is going right.  Feed cookies, play with toys and watch the behaviors accumulate.  It’s all good! What do you do when it’s not going so well?  When you have a problem and you are...