Typically, those with dogs that bark and lunge at strangers or other dogs live in a bubble of fear, hopelessness, and frustration. After years of experience working with countless clients and their reactive dogs and with Ben, her own aggressive dog, award-winning author Emma Parsons (Click to Calm) has found a better way to help even more owners and their dogs: by carefully orchestrating controlled exposures to triggers in a class setting.
Dogs
Loose-Leash Walking: Part One
By Nan Arthur on 04/03/2014Age-old issue
Walking is a natural behavior for dogs, so what is the big deal about teaching them to walk nicely on a leash? It shouldn’t be that hard, should it?
Yet dog trainers all over the world always have clients with this problem (almost single-handedly guaranteeing the trainers’ job security!). Leash-pulling is a problem that even some of the best trainers are unable to solve for their clients, despite the latest and greatest “no-pull” equipment that offers a helping hand.
Rally-FrEe: A Fun New Sport
By Kathy Weaver on 03/04/2014Intriguing mix of learning and fun
Have you ever wished that you and your dog had as much fun competing in the ring as in training? Or, have you ever wished that your dog could cut loose and perform favorite tricks right in the middle of a competition, instead of repeating the same old exercises? A new dog sport where foundation training supports many of the other activities you do with your dog could be the answer. Try Rally-FrEe! (It's pronounced "rally free!")
Therapy Dog Training: Becoming a Therapeutic Team
By Patricia Stokely on 03/04/2014Molly plays to her strength
I teach therapy dog training classes, but that's a bit of a misnomer. The classes are not dog training classes in the traditional sense. They are really all about relationship-building, developing partnerships that will enhance the well-being of others.
Consider the following:
Molly trots down the hallway between me and a student. Intermittently, she glances up at me and toward the student who holds her leash. Molly and I are in the process of teaching a high school student with autism how to use a visual schedule (pictures listing a series of activities). Nearing the end of the hallway, we enter the classroom.
