SCAMPER is a problem-solving memory-device tool. I originally learned about it for other purposes, but it’s something I use every day in dog training without having to think twice. It’s easy to get into the same patterns of thinking instead of looking at all possible options available.S: Substitute: Obviously in Read more…
What started as a short jump-tunnel sequence ended up being a lot of thought on how a dog knows when reinforcement is available. During the session, the young retriever was bouncing at his handler and then running off to get into trouble. He wanted the reinforcers, but did not seem Read more…
At the Steve White seminar in April, Steve and Jen had a short talk on finding and noting patterns. The patterns could be things that happen before or after the desired behavior. Or in when or how the person cues or reinforces. Some of these are hard to see without Read more…
For six months I’ve been quite confident I was training Griffin to find a specific scent and to lie down. However…. it’s not as strong as I had thought (and hoped). If at all possible, he will dig/paw/bite/retrieve the container rather than alert. The Down is only happening if Read more…
Today, Griffin swam across the pond! With only a little extra help. We’ll get good at going across the “short” way and then work up to going across the long way. We do only very scattered field work…no specific goals besides the golden retriever “Working Certificate”. But all Read more…
Recently a facility opened in our region for dock diving. The owners are also affiliated with a national dog training franchise that….is very different from what I do. It is not clearly evident that the two are related, however the same humans are associated with both businesses and it appears Read more…
In the September 2011 Journal of Applied Animal Behavioural Science is a paper called, “The effect of frequency and duration of training sessions on acquisition and long-term memory in dogs.” From a first read-over, it looks fairly well done. The researchers looked at four groups of dogs. One group that Read more…
One of the things I always mean to talk about but never talk about enough is how students should enter class. Half of the dogs are fine and don’t need any extra management. But the other half should have training start before the car door opens. It’s important to Read more…
This set is more for instructor use…. not enough details for someone who is not familiar with the exercise. “Fresh” resets: Pick an easy type of stay (short duration, short handler distance, minimal distraction). After each repetition, release and then move to a new location for the next repetition. Handler Read more…
Re-orienting through doorways: Practice at interior doorways (bathroom to hallway, bedroom to hallway, etc) before doors that go outside. Use the least exciting exterior doorway to start with, then move to the more exciting doors. Go through the door with your dog, after you step through, pause. Wait for your Read more…