What’s missing? “I don’t even know where to start. It just seems so huge and daunting. I don’t know how to define a plan, what steps to include,

Below are The Eight Ways of Changing Behavior, originally included in Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor and adapted by Karen for the show dog guardian. While it reflects

A new trick Many dog guardians complain that their dogs steal food from kitchen counters or even the dinner table. A term was even coined to describe this behavior:

Clipping, snipping, brushing, poking… Pets have to tolerate not-so-pleasant procedures during grooming or veterinary care. But it’s hard to convince a feisty Fido that it’s great fun to

Baby News There is nothing more exciting, or more anticipated, than the arrival of a new baby. Whether a family is adopting or experiencing a pregnancy, expecting a

Focus on the student and the process Someone recently asked me how the term “microshaping” developed, and what, exactly, it means. I think I probably originated that term

Happy New Year! When you make your New Year’s resolutions this year, why not include your dog? Popular resolutions such as “get more exercise” can easily include the

Recognize your dog? Do you have an excitable, active, or reactive dog? Does one or more of the following phrases describe your dog? Wishful thinking Wouldn’t it be

Old view, new view The old school of thought was that playing tug with your dog would teach him to be “dominant” and should be avoided at all

Scent discrimination is one of the “advanced” obedience exercises, but it is actually one of the easiest to train. Why? You are working with the dog’s single most

The limited hold is scientific terminology—laboratory slang, really—for a good way to use the marker and reinforcer to speed up response to a cue. We’re all used to sluggish responses. Suppose you are

This letter is shared for historical reference and enjoyment. While it reflects the best practices at the time of publication, standards and recommendations may have evolved. You can read