One of the most delightful and fulfilling experiences as a dog guardian is
having a pup who knows how to greet people politely. By using a hand target cue, you can develop a pleasant greeting routine for both guardian and dog.
June KPA CTP of the Month: Laurie Schlossnagle
Laurie Schlossnagle, KPA CTP, has been clicker training for 20 years. Her first training was with her own dog, in therapy work and Rally Obedience. Now the owner of Side By Side Dog Training, LLC, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Laurie works with people and their dogs of all ages across many training paths. Her training offerings range from manners, life skills, and problem behaviors to canine sports and competition, service- and working-dog behaviors, and tricks! Laurie is also a multi-level judge for several of these industry sectors.
Teach Your Dog to Wait at a Gate
One of the essential skills every dog should learn is waiting patiently at a gate or doorway. Teaching your furry companions to stay put until given the cue to proceed not only ensures their safety but also brings you peace of mind.
Unleashing Confidence: Nose Work Skills for Shy Dogs
Dogs are remarkable creatures with unique personalities. Just like humans, some can be naturally shy or lack self-confidence. Finding effective methods to boost the confidence of shy dogs and help them overcome their fears is crucial for their overall well-being. One powerful tool that has gained popularity in recent years is nose work, a fascinating canine activity that taps into a dog’s incredible sense of smell. In nose work, dogs are trained to search for specific scents, often using food or other target odors hidden in various environments.
Therapy Dog Skills: Remaining Calm Around Medical Equipment
It’s no secret that our dogs bring us comfort and joy, but have you ever wondered how you can train your dog to provide that same comfort and joy to others? Therapy dogs offer comforting benefits to people who are lonely or grieving, and even help people cope with anxiety and trauma
How to Enjoy Breweries and Restaurants with Your Dog
Breweries and dogs are a popular combination, especially in the warm-weather months. However, for some dogs the noisy environment and close proximity to people and other dogs can be challenging. Luckily, you and your four-legged friend can learn the skills that allow you to enjoy your neighborhood breweries, restaurants, coffee shops, wineries, and cafés together!
Introducing Dogs to Each Other
When you are introducing two dogs to each other, first interactions matter. How the dogs interact in their first encounter can set the tone for future interactions. Greetings tend to go best when you introduce the dogs in neutral territory and proceed slowly, so that the dogs can decide if they would like to interact.
May KPA CTP of the Month: Linda Randall
Linda Randall, DVM, KPA CTP, owner and trainer at One Smart Dog in Seville, Ohio, graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) Dog Trainer Professional (DTP) program and became a KPA Certified Training Partner (CTP) in 2022. However, she has been a positive trainer for many years, applying tenets of clicker training and other positive philosophies to her clients and herself, and toward understanding and coping with societal conflicts and challenges.
Generalizing the Settle Behavior
Are your daily walks more like scavenger hunts for your dog? Food and garbage on the ground are often irresistible distractions for many dogs, but these distractions can result in an emergency vet visit. Teaching your dog to control his/her impulses and “Leave It” will help you keep your dog safe, no matter what “treasures” await!
Leg Weaves for Canine Freestye
Teaching your dog to weave through your legs is great for building confidence, and the leg weave is a fundamental skill for dog sports like Canine Freestyle. The goal of leg weave is for your dog to weave through your legs in a figure eight pattern, as demonstrated in this video.