Blog
Can you please stop hitting that puppy?
Published on Mar 1, 2010 | Category: Puppies
That’s what I asked the woman with her 10-week-old Golden X puppy. I had just left Ahimsa to go get lunch and was about to turn right. Instead, I saw this woman and her young daughter up ahead with a puppy. Cute! I thought, followed immediately by a mortified, “oh my Dog, did she just -> Read the full article…
9 Good Things About 2009. What’s Your List?
Published on Dec 31, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
This morning, as I read the posts on Twitter, I came across Edie Jarolim’s post “2009: It wasn’t so bad for me. How was it for you?” I thought it was a lovely idea for a post, so here’s my answer to Edie’s question. Please answer yourself in the comments or in your own blog!
Support the Angel Fund for Emergency Care
Published on Dec 30, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
I received this from the staff at Elliott Bay Animal Hospital in Seattle, which is near the training center. I thought it’d be a great cause for all dog and cat lovers in the Puget Sound to know about, and possibly support. I like supporting local causes, and maybe some of my readers do, too! -> Read the full article…
Wii – Could a Video Game Help with Puppy Socialization?
Published on Dec 24, 2009 | Category: Puppies, Tips & Safety
I talked my wife into getting a Wii because it would allow us to play tennis in the winter, without even having to go anywhere. We set it up yesterday and Peanut thought it was fine – just some new kind of DVD player. Once we started playing tennis and boxing in the living room, -> Read the full article…
New Dog Toy: Pogo Plush
Published on Dec 15, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Ok, I love the new toy that Premier pet products featured a new toy at the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference this year: the Pogo Plush. I brought home two of them, of course – one for each dog. They were an instant hit! The pogo is a plush toy, but there’s no stuffing -> Read the full article…
Are You Sabotaging Your Training?
Published on Dec 15, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
In my first training class, with Spoon (that’s her, to the left) I was told to lure my dog into a sit and simultaneously say, “Sit.” Then I was to give her the treat and say, “Good sit!” I doubt the trainer specifically wanted to teach my dog to only work if food was present, -> Read the full article…
Mathematician to Dog Trainer – My NPR interview
Published on Dec 12, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Jeannie Yandel from KUOW in Seattle interviewed me last week. It’s going to play today at 1:06 p.m. on 94.9 FM in Seattle. It’s a personal interview on how and why I transitioned from a mathematician into a dog trainer. You can also listen to it now via the KUOW website.
Dominance Training Position Statement by APDT
Published on Nov 8, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
Finally! Quoted from the APDT website (my emphasis): Association of Pet Dog Trainers Position Statement There has been a resurgence in citing “dominance” as a factor in dog behavior and dog-human relationships. This concept is based on outdated wolf studies that have long since been disproven. Contrary to popular belief, research studies of wolves in -> Read the full article…
Thundershirts – sound phobias, fears, etc.
Published on Nov 7, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
We are now carrying Thundershirts in our online store (and in the little store at the training center). If there was a drug-free way to ease your dog’s fears, would you do it? I would! And the Thundershirt’s a lot less than the Anxiety Wrap (and easier to put on), almost half as expensive. We -> Read the full article…
BAT seminar for dog aggression and fear – January 2010
Published on Nov 3, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
I just scheduled a seminar for dog trainers and advanced students, to teach a new system for working with behavior problems, called Behavior Adjustment Training, or BAT. The seminar is an hour and a half, Friday January 8th, 2010, from 8-9:30 p.m. We also have an exciting visit from Patricia McConnell planned for September 12, -> Read the full article…
Crate Training, food-free rewards, & more in Whole Dog Journal
Published on Nov 2, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
The November 2009 Whole Dog Journal is out. Get yours today! Alternate rewards for when your dog won’t take food Easy Riding – tips for calm, safe car rides Quick Crate Training Tips What to look for in buying treats Dancing with Dogs (hint: you don’t have to dance much, your dog is the star! -> Read the full article…
Pit Bull Blues Video
Published on Oct 27, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
I love this pit bull video by John Shipe. Great dogs, great music! If they could only have filmed it without those prong collars and choke chains! Don’t they know pit bulls excel with reward-based training? I’ve been singing it a lot since I saw this video, although I have to admit, I keep making -> Read the full article…
New issue of Whole Dog Journal
Published on Oct 19, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
We have the latest issue of Whole Dog Journal. If you have a dog that has issues walking by other people, dogs, bikes, etc., you won’t want to miss this issue! October 2009 articles: Good Growling? 5 things to do when your dog growls at you Passing Fancy – How to teach your dog to -> Read the full article…
Edmonds Dog park Halloween Howl is tomorrow!
Published on Oct 16, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
I will be giving a dog safety presentation at *noon*, particularly how to read dogs and how to avoid and break up dog fights at the park. Come with or without your dog!
Amazing, amazing dog video!
Published on Sep 2, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
This is the power of reinforcement. Check out this dog trick/dance video and the skills the dogs are doing! Look fun? Try our Canine Freestyle (dog dancing class) to get started in this fun sport. (This is not a dog trainer from our school in Seattle, but just a sample of what well-trained dogs can -> Read the full article…
August 23 First Annual Dog Days of Ballard’s Summer
Published on Aug 12, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Update: the organizers say they will be carding to avoid having too many dogs! 98117 and 98107 zip codes only! There will be a fun gathering of dog folks at Ballard Commons on August 23rd. They’ve asked me to sponsor them, so there are three $50 Ahimsa Dog Training gift certificates to be had for -> Read the full article…
Are Sticks Safe for Dogs?
Published on Aug 11, 2009 | Category: Our Dogs, Safety Warnings, Tips & Safety
Do you use the carrot, or the stick? In it’s regular meaning, the stick is used to prod the donkey forward, so it’s not the kind of method I use for dog training. But sticks can be used as rewards, too. I use sticks to reward my dog, Peanut, for walking politely. I can surprise -> Read the full article…
Marley to Lassie in 7 days – How to Be the Center of Your Dog’s Universe
Published on Aug 6, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Does your dog pull on leash or not come when called? Do you wish your dog would listen more? Follow our daily plan below to jump-start your dog training. Your dog won’t actually be Lassie yet, but you will have a lot more focus than you do right now. Focus is the essential foundation before -> Read the full article…
Dream List Radio Interview
Published on Jul 24, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
Dreamlist Radio is an excellent website that helps people find the career of their dreams. Melissa Borghorst of Dreamlist Radio interviewed me for the Teen section of the website, and the questions focused on what teens can do to become a dog trainer. The answers, you’ll find, will work for people of any age who -> Read the full article…
How to Find Low-Cost Vet Care
Published on Jul 23, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
A lot of people these days are finding they need to give up their dogs, cats, horses, or other animals because they can’t afford vet care. If you don’t have a pet yet, and are thinking about getting one, please make sure that you take into account the full costs of owning a living, breathing -> Read the full article…
6 Quick Steps to Teach “Targeting”
Published on Jun 29, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Once you teach your dog to “Target,” you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. The behavior here is that your dog touches her nose to a human’s hand, but this also works with a an actual target of some sort, like the Clik Stik pictured here. I use targeting to move my dog around -> Read the full article…
Muttmixer – June 24 2009 in Seattle
Published on Jun 16, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Summer dog event! Come see us at the Summer Muttmixer at Rock Bottom Brewery, 1333 5th Avenue in Seattle. Ahimsa Dog Training will have a little booth set up (I’ll be there!) and the event is FREE. Your dog is welcome, but do make sure it will be a pleasant experience for him/her. Whenever you -> Read the full article…
Can a Dog Sense Fear?
Published on Apr 29, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
I gave a presentation at a school in West Seattle today and a good question from one of the teachers stuck with me. Can a Dog Sense Fear? My answer to her was something like, “Yes, dogs do seem to be able to sense fear. But just sensing fear won’t make them decide to bite -> Read the full article…
FDA is not looking into Nutro Dog Food
Published on Apr 21, 2009 | Category: Safety Warnings, Tips & Safety
There’s an article at ConsumerAffairs.com that claims the FDA is looking into claims of several deaths and a lot of sick dogs over the last two years. However, I went to the Nutro website and they deny that the FDA is looking into their foods. You can read the Nutro website here. I don’t know -> Read the full article…
Video: Obamas Do Right By Bo (mostly)
Published on Apr 14, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Here’s a quick video of Bo Obama’s intro to the world. I saw several things that they did right, and some that they could’ve done better (of course, can’t we all?) Get your own valid XHTML YouTube embed code
Free Spay/Neuter/Training for Pit Bulls in Tacoma
Published on Apr 14, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
If you have a pit bull and are looking for a free way to make your dog a better citizen, here’s the way! Even if you don’t live in Tacoma, this is probably worth the drive.
Welcome to the White House, B’Obama!
Published on Apr 13, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
Bo Obama, the Portuguese Water Dog, seems to be enjoying his new home in the White House. The Obama puppy’s big debut is Tuesday (tomorrow) but the press has already leaked his story. And who wouldn’t enjoy being the First Dog, with two kids to love on you and great parents? When we were there -> Read the full article…
Teen Dog Play in Seattle
Published on Apr 3, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
Our first Teen Dog Play time is April 9th at 5:30.
When is a fence not a fence?
Published on Mar 28, 2009 | Category: Tips & Safety
If it can’t actually hold your dogs in your yard, or keep trouble out, a fence can do more harm than good. It makes you feel like you have a fence, so you let your guard down. In one of my classes, a student with an aggressive dog said that they had a fenced yard. -> Read the full article…
Puppy Mill expose on Nightline March 27
Published on Mar 26, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized
The Seattle area has had their share of puppy mill busts, including the recent one in Snohomish County that is inundating Seattle with little rescue dogs and some big ones, too. Tomorrow (March 27) ABC’s Nightline is doing a big expose on puppy mills. I haven’t seen it, but I imagine it’s terrible and gruesome -> Read the full article…
