Dog Training wisdom & More


Read on for how-to tips that improve training, insights that inspire action and news that's worth sharing with others.
Featured image for “Teach Your Dog to Retrieve Everyday Items”

Teach Your Dog to Retrieve Everyday Items

What if your dog could bring you his/her bowl—or even a beer? Training a dog to retrieve everyday items is…
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Featured image for “Using Paired Cues to Accelerate Learning”

Using Paired Cues to Accelerate Learning

When you think of training new behaviors, you think of training one behavior at a time. For example, in one…
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Featured image for “How to Paddle Board with Your Dog”

How to Paddle Board with Your Dog

Looking for a fun activity to do with your dog this summer? Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) can provide an awesome…
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Featured image for “Teaching Behaviors as Secondary Reinforcers”

Teaching Behaviors as Secondary Reinforcers

Understanding reinforcement is the key to understanding how dogs learn. Reinforcement can be categorized as either primary or secondary. A…
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Featured image for “Teach Your Dog to Put Toys Away”

Teach Your Dog to Put Toys Away

Are you always tripping over dog toys? Did you know that, according to the CDC, tripping over dog toys caused…
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Featured image for “Getting Started with Non-Food Reinforcers”

Getting Started with Non-Food Reinforcers

The effective use of non-food reinforcers is a critical skill that all trainers will likely use or need at some…
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Featured image for “Creating a Two-Part Sequence”

Creating a Two-Part Sequence

If your dog is fluent in more than one behavior, those individual behaviors can be linked together by learned cues…
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Featured image for “Thinking Outside the Treat Pouch: Secondary Reinforcers”

Thinking Outside the Treat Pouch: Secondary Reinforcers

When you give your dog a treat for a job well done, you are using a primary reinforcer, which is…
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Featured image for “Training Another Species to Become a Better Dog Trainer”

Training Another Species to Become a Better Dog Trainer

Think you’re a great dog trainer? Try training a cat, bird, guinea pig, or horse! Training other species is not…
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Featured image for “Teach Clapping as a Secondary Reinforcer”

Teach Clapping as a Secondary Reinforcer

When you give your dog a treat for a job well done, you are using a primary reinforcer, which is…
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Featured image for “Training with Non-Food Reinforcers”

Training with Non-Food Reinforcers

One of the biggest objections to positive reinforcement training is the perception that it’s “all about the food.” However, while…
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