Predatory drift: When a dog’s behavior shifts from acceptable play behavior to predatory behavior. This sometimes occurs during interactions between large and small dogs; the smaller dog squeals or runs away…

Marker: A stimulus that pinpoints the behavior the dog performed. The most common markers are clickers and a specific word, such as “yes.” The marker should be used at the exact…

Learned helplessness: When a dog learns that no matter what he does he cannot escape from an aversive situation and gives up trying. Learned helplessness is a negative, detrimental emotional state…

The world is a wonderful place for a puppy. To them everything is novel, new, exciting, and an opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in some mud. From the age…

Classical conditioning: Pairing something of little or no value with something of intrinstic value until an association is learned. This gives the thing of lower value, value. ie: a dog learns…

Broken. Most people view this word in a poor light, especially in the animal world, and I want to change their view. How? Through the story of an animal I…

Bite inhibition: A dog’s ability to control the amount of pressure when mouthing an object. Lack of bite inhibition may be an indicator of play or aggression. Indications of a dog who does…

Capture: Marking and rewarding a naturally occurring behavior, such as sitting or lying down, as the dog is doing it. Once a behavior is captured, marked and rewarded, the dog learns…

Life never takes us on a straight path. Like the knotted and beveled shaped of dragonwood it curves and twists into an unexpected journey. I never thought I would end…

Dogs can be guilty of an action, but dogs do not feel guilt. Now your gut reaction is to explain a time when your dog showed a remorseful feeling. Many…