This training game is derived from a dolphin research project in which I and others participated, “The creative porpoise: training for novel behavior,” published in the Journal of

Sound familiar? The 4 Fs of fear Many dogs struggle to stay relaxed when they see another dog, a person, or a specific environmental stimulus, and end up reacting

Bad behavior: the big picture Did a new dog join the family recently? Are you aiming to start with fine habits and manageable goals? Is this the time

Snake-avoidance training can be a lifesaver for dogs that live among venomous snakes. A common way to train snake avoidance is to pair a strong aversive, like an electric

I am asked regularly, “What are the first behaviors that we should train our animals? Does the order matter? How do we determine what should be trained first?”

Luring is legal Let me start by saying that if you decide to use a food lure, you are NOT committing a “training felony,” and the “’lure police” will

The quest for greatness One characteristic of a good shaper is flexibility—a willingness to change course based on new information coming in. Good science shares that characteristic. As

Free shape—or not? Free shaping is a type of animal training where you teach the behaviors in gradual steps using a marker, like a clicker, and rewards. Shaping can be a great

If a dog is taught through positive reinforcement to love the crate, the crate becomes his own private and safe place, much like a bedroom for a child. The crate

Spooked? It’s autumn—the season of shorter nights, crackling leaves, the hunter’s moon, and, of course, Halloween. Costumed creatures come to your door and scary monsters parade across your

Sibling rivalry Getting a new puppy is exciting—at least for the humans in the family. Sometimes, however, the dog of the house doesn’t think the pup is a

Why all the barking? Barking happens for a reason. Sounds obvious, right? It didn’t always, according to applied ethologist Julie Hecht, writing in the spring 2013 issue of The