As many of you know, I’ve spent the last three years focused on dog training and coaching humans regarding dogs. During this time, I’ve had the unique opportunity to split my time between dogs who are owned and loved and dogs who are between homes. This has allowed me to […]
Having more than one dog can be a challenge. For starters it’s tougher to take them to parties the way you used to! But of course, it’s so much more than that. Each dog is an individual, with individual needs, skills, filters and responses. Each is trying to get through […]
Providing a rare and candid look into American Animal Shelters, The Ripple Effect is a novel exploring the challenges and triumphs of humane society work. At a small Humane Society in Southwest Colorado, Shelter Director Shane Hillard’s world is turned upside down when a self-righteous volunteer is appointed to run […]
Sid has now been fostering with me since mid-October (through LPCHS) and we’ve made progress….albeit slow and incremental. So often people remark, “I know my dog was abused, he flinches every time I pick up something.” I don’t believe that every dog that flinches has been abused. I know plenty […]
I often note in my basic manners classes that what we’re doing is not really training. After all we’re not teaching our dogs to sit, lie down or go one way or another – they do all those behaviors already. We’re just asking for them on-demand. Most people, even the […]
Last year I had the opportunity to purchase 20 acres of land outside of Durango, Colorado. The land was perfect, virtually at the end of a dead-end road, amazing views of the La Plata’s, Needles and even HD mountain ranges and a dog’s paradise. Not only are there acres of […]
One of the best ways to get something across to your dog fast – is to show them, then have them practice immediately after. For example, I’ve been working with a dog with some impulse-control issues, he chases cars, cats etc. The other night a car was driving down the […]
I often whistle to call dogs or get their attention. But I’ve noticed I have a quicker return if I do a number of short bursts rather than one long one. If you think about it, it makes sense. When we hear a noise, the first sound just gets our […]
