Inquisitive Canine

The Myth of the “Dog Behaviorist”: What Pet Parents Should Know

joan — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:53:37 +0000

Why the Term “Dog Behaviorist” Deserves a Closer Look

The term “dog behaviorist” sounds reassuringly official—and that’s exactly why it deserves a closer look. In the dog training world, titles can be confusing, persuasive, and sometimes misleading, especially in an industry that remains largely unregulated. While you may be familiar with labels such as positive reinforcement trainer, balanced trainer, or clicker trainer, the designation “dog behaviorist” often raises important questions. What does it actually mean? And more importantly, what does it not tell you about a person’s education, qualifications, approach, or integrity?

Let’s examine the titles of “behaviorist” and “behavioralist” in the dog training industry. The answer to the question, “What is a dog behaviorist?” might surprise you. Because the correct answer is that “dog behaviorist” is not a recognized certified or credentialed professional designation. It’s a term which can be very good for marketing, but also very misleading. It is hard to say what a self-titled “dog behaviorist” is. A person who is a certified dog trainer or professional canine behavior consultant, usually will use one or both of those titles.

A true animal behaviorist holds a real graduate degree in that field. This is an important distinction to make – if your pet requires sincere behavioral modification, you want to be sure that the person you are hiring to work with him or her has the education and experience necessary to truly help your pet.

It’s important to state once again that the dog training industry is unregulated, anyone can call themselves a dog trainer, dog behaviorist or behavioralist. So, it’s up to you to be inquisitive and ask the important questions.

What schools or programs has the prospective trainer or behavior consultant attended? Veterinary Behaviorists are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) who have achieved board-certification in the specialty of Veterinary Behavior. That is a very different scenario from a person who ‘learned’ dog training from watching reality TV programs!

What professional groups or organizations does this person belong to? Keep in mind that not all dog training organizations are created equal – there are some that anyone can join, whether they are a trainer or not. Others, such as the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, literally certifies people in areas of both training and behavior. They require exams and letters of recommendation, along with continuing education credits, for maintaining certifications.

Staying Inquisitive When Choosing a Dog Professional

What it comes down to is that trust and honesty are important in any relationship. Trustworthy dog trainers will use transparent, clear, honest and consistent language. On the other hand, jargon can be misleading and can cloud decision making for pet guardians.

Now you’re armed with knowledge of some of the different dog training titles you might come across, specifically what they do and do not tell you about the individual. Our advice, in this unregulated industry, is when looking to hire a pet professional, remember to stay inquisitive and aware. Do your best to be well-informed when making decisions that will impact your family and your best friend.

Staying inquisitive means seeking context, not just answers. For a broader look at behavioral support for canine companions, you can read a related article I previously wrote for Edhat here.

The Inquisitive Canine Archives: Hot Topic Collections

joan — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:40:52 +0000

Are you an inquisitive pet parent looking for practical solutions to everyday challenges? You’re in the right place! After years of working with inquisitive canines and their parents, there seem to be certain hot topics that take center stage, including the following categories:

So, I scoured hundreds of Inquisitive Canine blog posts and have curated a collection of articles that guide and support readers through each of these topics. Let’s dive in!

Understanding Canine Body Language

Dogs are excellent communicators. They don’t speak English, but they are very expressive in spoken and body languages. Learning how to sharpen your canine-human communication skills becomes easier when you know what to look for:

Exploring Leash Reactivity

Since I am on a mission to empower dogs and humans to have a deeper, more connected relationship, I want to offer some tips for successful, happy, enjoyable walks – even if your Fido can be a little feisty at times:

Digging into Barking

Inquisitive canines bark for a variety of reasons. With our pups, when we figure out the ‘why’ of this behavior and provide for the underlying need, we can often help curb excessive barking.

House-Training Made Easy

New puppy? New adult dog? Help your buddy start off on the right paw with this guide to house-training. Then, you can move on to harnessing the really fun stuff – romping, playing and enjoying life together!

Hope for Separation Anxiety

Lastly, a topic that is still misunderstood, so we’re offering some tips for helping you and your dog with separation-related distress:

Looking for more information on these and other topics? Tour our vast library of Inquisitive Canine archived articles. Browse by topic category or use the search function to discover pawsitive, practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Thank you for being inquisitive!

Teaching Your Dog to Come to You – Homeschooling for dogs, session 5

joan — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 06:19:00 +0000

Hello inquisitive pet parent, and welcome to session 5 of our Back to School for Dogs Too homeschooling series. If you’re just joining us, check out session 1 for tips and lessons on getting started. If you’re continuing on, we say “Yay!” click-treat, and thank you for joining us.

For session 5 we’re covering that all important behavior of teaching your dog to come to you when you ask them to. That’s right, it’s “Recall” time. As a certified dog trainer, I appreciate and dog mom, I consider the “recall” cue a more emergent behavior – it is something all dogs (yes, I said all dogs) should be taught. And it’s best to teach them before you need the behavior – not during. You wouldn’t teach someone a fire drill during a fire, right? Okay then, let’s get started!

BUILDING A SOLID RECALL

Step 1: INDOORS (with few distractions)

Start by backing away from your dog using your happy voice, clapping and praising as he approaches you. Stop, ask your dog to sit (optional), reach in and grab his collar with one hand, and give him a tasty treat from the other.
Repeat this several times, until your dog is almost chasing you around, not allowing you to start over again.
Now try this at the same distance in a different location, still with few distractions.
Repeat the first step, but from 8-10 feet away, even if your dog is doing something else. Reward with the happy-talk/praise/reach-for-collar/treat-with-the-other-hand process. If your dog doesn’t come to you right away, go to him, lure him back to where you called him from, then reward using the above steps.

Once your dog has become skilled in these steps, repeat the same exercise in different rooms of the house, especially when he isn’t expecting it, and reward in the same manner. This way, he continues to associate coming to you with wonderful things! After he has mastered this, you can move it outside.

Step 2: OUTDOORS

Practice the first exercise listed above in the same way in a fenced yard, or secure outdoor area, keeping your dog on leash for safety reasons if necessary.
Begin just a few feet away, progressing to a farther but safe distance.
Practice the backing-away recall while out walking your dog on leash. Give the cue when your dog is facing forward, not looking up at you.
If you want, you can get a longer leash (long-line*) and practice the same exercises from a farther distance.

*For safety reasons only. Be cautious not to get your dog tangled up in the leash. Do not use this leash for pulling or dragging your dog away from something.

Rules of recall:

Only call your dog for something pleasant.
Only call your dog if you know he’s going to listen and follow though with your request.
If you misjudged on rule two, save the recall by going and getting your dog yourself, and bringing him back to where you called him from, then reward.
Use the cue word once and only once, but be a cheerleader, using additional methods of communication to help get the message across: body language, whistling, clapping, happy talk.
ALWAYS give your dog a huge payoff whenever he comes to you: praise, petting, play and treats! (Use higher-value treats during initial training steps, and periodically when behavior is established.)

Is your inquisitive canine already at master level of recall? Try practicing the Round-Robin exercise: Send your dog back and forth between two or more people in a room or outdoors (in safe environment). Each takes a turn calling the dog, performing the reach-for-collar/treat-with-other-hand game. If at any time your dog chooses not to come, the person who called him should go over, lure him to where they called from, then reward.

Remember to check back for upcoming Back to School posts (or subscribe to our blog), to keep up with behavior momentum and fluency!

Critical Thinking Tips for Making Halloween Less Spooky for Your Dog

joan — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:39:00 +0000

Halloween might be filled with fun and thrills for humans, but for our canine companions, it can be a real fright-fest. The unusual costumes, loud noises, and an influx of unfamiliar visitors can turn what should be a playful evening into a stressful experience for your pup. To help ensure your dog stays happy and safe, it’s essential to prepare for the night’s spooky surprises. Read on for our critical thinking, self-reflection tips to create a Halloween that’s a treat for you and less spooky for your pup.

Answer the question, “What do I want?”

Will you want your dog to perform specific behaviors? Wear a costume? Go trick or treating with you? Stay home and welcome strangers at your door?

Visualize what you want.

Once you answer the first question, you’ll then want to paint a picture. The clearer the picture in your own mind, the better you’ll be at rewarding the behavior you want. Do you see your dog wearing a costume and walking along side of you as you go trick or treating? Or, is Fido staying home with you, hunkering down and spending the evening streaming thriller movies?

Know your animal.

What are their triggers? Does your pup love wearing outfits and meeting new people? Or are they afraid of their own shadow? Having insight into what your dog likes and dislikes can help you determine what to train, how to manage the environment, and how best to reinforce desired behaviors so they are repeated.

What is your dog’s baseline?

What behaviors and skills does your dog already have or need to learn? Maybe the basics such as “sit” “stay” “down” just need to be refined? Maybe “leave it” needs to be taught from scratch? We recommend making a checklist so you can customize your dog’s class syllabus, to help you focus on what you’ll need them to do on fright night.

Have realistic expectations.

If you asked your dog how they wanted to spend Halloween, what would their answer be? Would Fido prefer to stay home and chill? Or, would he want to go out and party with you? Would you have the time to train everything you want before the big day? Or would it be a last ditch effort, with you expecting your dog to be perfect? This is the time to think rationally.

Reward everything you like!

To help strengthen the behaviors you want, you’ll want to reward your dog for them heavily and often. By doing that, you’ll send a clear message that what they were doing is what you wanted. And, reward them even if and when you didn’t ask. By catching them in the act of doing what you want, you not only reinforce the behavior, you’re also letting them know that they’re making good choices, all on their own!

Manage your dog’s environment.

When we’re not training, we need to manage our dog’s environment to help prevent them from practicing behaviors we don’t want. By doing this we also decrease the risk of them developing negative conditioned responses, such as being scared by something spooky. Want them to be quiet while people walk by the house? Decrease access to those triggers. Want your dog to sit politely? Use a harness and leash to help prevent them from jumping up on people, including young children in costumes.

Plan ahead!

Now that you’ve determined what you want your dog to do, how you’re going to manage the environment, and how you want to spend the Halloween celebration, draft your plan so you’ll know what to do, when to do it, how you’ll do it, and what you’ll need to set you both up for success!

As you gear up for Halloween, remember that a little extra thought can go a long way in making sure your dog enjoys the festivities just as much as you do. By focusing on comfort, safety, and a calm environment, you can take the fright out of the night for your furry friend. With these simple tips, Halloween can be a fun and stress-free experience for your dog—and a celebration that you’ll both enjoy!

Top Tips to Help Prepare Your Pooch for the Arrival of Your New Baby

joan — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 16:53:00 +0000

The excitement of welcoming a new baby is often shared by the whole family—but what about your inquisitive canine? For your loyal companion, the change in environment and routines can be overwhelming. As you prepare for the arrival of your little one, it’s easy to forget that your dog will also be adjusting to big changes in the household. Dogs thrive on schedules and attention, and the addition of a baby can disrupt both. The good news is that with a little preparation, you can help your dog adapt to this new chapter with ease. From introducing baby sounds to establishing new routines, these tips will help guide you through the steps that will make this transition smoother for you, your family, and of course, your pup.

1. Assess your dog's skills and strengths - then practice!

What behaviors does your dog already know, or need to learn/refine/practice? Sit, down, ‘go to your place,’ “leave it,” targeting, settle, coming when called, walking nicely on leash are just the basics. Introducing a baby into the mix of distractions will likely be more of a challenge, so best to practice early and often. Taking a step further, set up mock scenarios by practicing with props such as a pretend baby, stroller, etc. You’ll also want to practice in different locations, such as the nursery or where baby’s designated location(s) will be.

2. Determine your dog’s sensitivities

Is your dog comfortable around strangers, more people coming in and out of the home, any changes at all? Or is your dog more resilient and a “go with the flow” type of pooch? Consider what resources your dog might need to help with all of the adjustments they’ll need to make.

3. Consider your schedule

What is your current schedule? How will it change once baby arrives? Will those early AM walks end up closer to mid-morning? Will baby be joining you on these walks? Your dog will still need their own needs met, so you’ll want to think about how you’re going to make that happen. If you’re unable to fulfill your dog’s needs, consider asking for outside help — family, friends, neighbors, professionals.

4. Gradually introduce new senses

Gradually introduce all the new equipment, toys, sounds, smells — stroller, nursery, changing table, diaper bin, lotions and all-things-baby that look, sound, smell different. Start familiarizing your dog with these items slowly to help prevent overwhelming your dog. Bring equipment out one piece at a time. Play baby sounds at a lower volume, increasing it based on your dog’s body language. Be observant of your dog’s body language, as this is how you can determine their comfort level. Should you think they are uncomfortable, lower the intensity to help them become desensitized. You can also add in giving them treats to counter-condition them; special treats can help your dog to associate the weird noise(s) with something great. Please note: Refusal to eat or lack of interest in food, especially if that’s unusual for your pet, can be common indicators of stress and anxiety. A Family Paws Parent Educator (FPPE) can be a resource who can provide specialty training in dog and baby dynamics.

5. Include “me time” in their new routine

If your dog has always been your sidekick, the likelihood of them having to spend time alone, even for short periods, might increase — even if all of the humans are in the bathroom or nursery and Fido is left on his own in another room of the house. Dress rehearsals that include some alone time, before baby arrives, can again help them adjust later.

6. Prepare for management and confinement

To help manage dogs and babies, tools and equipment such as crates, tethers (only use when adult supervision is available), and baby gates can all help. If your dog has never been crate/confinement trained, this will be a good preparation exercise to start now.

Bringing a new baby into your home is an exciting and life-changing event, not just for you, but for your dog as well. While your furry friend has been the center of your attention for some time, the arrival of a baby can shift the family dynamics. Preparing your dog for this transition can help ensure a smooth and harmonious adjustment for everyone involved. We encourage you to practice these exercises and use the information to help your dog get ready for the big change, making the introduction to the newest family member a pawsitive experience.

Inspired by Family Paws — for more information about dogs and baby, please see their website: familypaws.com

Benefits of Using a Dog Harness for Leash Walking — and More!

joan — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 05:09:33 +0000

Benefits of Using a Dog Harness for Leash Walking — and More!

As dog lovers, we always want to make the health and safety of our pups a priority. So, when it comes to dog walking, is a collar enough? Or should you be attaching your dog’s leash to a harness? Simplify the decision-making process by considering the following points:

Protect Sensitive Areas & Vital Structures

When dogs pull on a leash attached to a neck collar, it can put increased pressure on their necks, potentially injuring areas such as the eyes, thyroid, lymph nodes, trachea, and spine. The usually overlooked, delicate structure of their necks makes them very vulnerable to damage. A 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association noted that the intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eyes) increases significantly when dogs pull against a collar, as opposed to the same amount of force in a harness.

Even if your dog isn’t a big puller and it isn’t obvious that the collar is causing any harm or injury, eventually, this repetitive trauma will lead to discomfort for your dog — no matter if they are big or small.

Emotional Well-Being

For dogs who are more enthusiastic and will start running and hit the end of the leash with great force, a collar that pinches, constricts, or chokes can lead to dogs forming negative associations with what they are pulling towards. These negative associations (fear, pain, discomfort) in turn, can cause dogs to react in the future, barking or lunging towards (or attempting to run away from) this person, animal, or object when next encountered.

Fewer Houdini Maneuvers

A well-fitting harness can keep the leash where it’s meant to be: attached to your dog! Often, dogs learn how to slip out of collars (and some harnesses) that aren’t fitted correctly, which is dangerous for them and you. It is imperative to make sure that you choose pet gear that is properly fit and does not go on simply by slipping it over the dog’s head. When you can safely and humanely overcome escape issues, you and your inquisitive canine can enjoy peace of mind when you’re out and about.

Dog Harness Selection Made Simple

Dog harness shopping for your precious pup can be easier than you might think. Yes- there are lots of options out there. But you can ask yourself a few basic questions when selecting a harness and you’ll quickly see the number of good options dwindle. When you are choosing a harness for your inquisitive canine, look for these features:

COMFORT – Design and materials that provide a lightweight, comfortable, escape-resistant canine fit to keep dogs comfortable and secure.
REDUCE PULLING, NO CHOKE – Versatile enough for any adventures that come your way: A front leash attachment option to help reduce pulling, a back clip to attach a leash for traditional walks and other activities, plus a utility handle for sports.
SAFETY – Designed to be fastened around the neck, like a regular collar, rather than slip on or off over the head (which some dogs might be able to back out of and escape). Reflective webbing for low-light conditions.
DURABILITY – Made for extended wear; two sturdy leash attachments; ruggedly constructed; water-friendly and easy to clean, so pet parents can feel free to let your dogs be dogs!
EASY-TO-USE DESIGN – A people- and dog-friendly harness is simple to put on and take off of your dog with smooth clips and easily adjustable straps. An adjustable custom fit can help prevent dogs from slipping the harness off or wriggling out of it.

The best harness will be escape-resistant, yet comfortable for your dog, without restricting movement or causing chafing or rubbing, easy for you to use, and easy to keep clean. A well-fitting harness is the best bet to ensure the health and safety of your pup.

Ready to unleash adventures and harness fun with your dog?

As a certified professional dog trainer and professional canine behavior consultant, human-canine relationship coach, and owner of The Inquisitive Canine, I designed The North Star Dog Harness to reduce chafing and offer freedom of movement, without the risk of canine jailbreak. It is simple to take on and off and its two-clip versatility feature reduces pulling and is perfect for traditional walks and other activities. But most importantly, the design of The North Star Dog Harness allows dog guardians to decrease time worrying about their dog’s safety so they can spend more time unleashing adventures and harnessing fun!

Reference

Pauli AM, Bentley E, Diehl KA, Miller PE. Effects of the application of neck pressure by a collar or harness on intraocular pressure in dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2006 May-Jun;42(3):207-11. doi: 10.5326/0420207. PMID: 16611932. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16611932/

Separation Anxiety Do’s and Don’ts – A Guide for Pet Parents

joan — Sun, 14 Jul 2024 16:03:51 +0000

Dogs experiencing separation anxiety are in a state of panic. They are not in control of their behavior any more than you would be if you were trembling and dry-mouthed about something that terrifies you, such as flying across the country, speaking in public, or hearing something unexpectedly go bump in the night.

Some of the general behaviors that might indicate a dog is suffering from separation anxiety or isolation distress could include those as mild – or even vague – as pacing, whining, mild chewing, and intermittent barking, to more extreme, such as severe destruction, self-mutilation, aggression towards the guardian (like a Jekyll and Hyde personality), salivation and drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, panting where the lips are more horizontal and mouth is tense (not the same as if he or she were warm or just exercised), and trying to escape. Other outward signs that pet parents might see evidence of are sweaty paws, disinterest in eating when they’re alone, and eliminating out of panic — as if they were “peeing their pants.”

While separation anxiety is sometimes seen as a frustratingly intractable problem to solve, Certified Separation Anxiety Trainers (CSATs) use proven techniques that have helped countless dogs – and their families! Here are some tips for helping your dog with separation anxiety:

Separation Anxiety “Do’s”

Do talk with your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.

Do keep in mind that dogs are social animals; they are not pack animals (that myth was debunked years ago!). This means they need to learn to enjoy being alone — some dogs more than others, and each is unique. Because we have bred and raised dogs to be companions to us humans, if we don’t provide companionship and/or we don’t condition them to enjoy being alone, they could risk developing some variant of separation distress.

Do work with a trainer who is certified in separation anxiety to determine if your dog has separation anxiety or isolation distress. It’s helpful to work with someone who specializes in this scope of dog training and behavior modification.

Do understand this is an emotional condition, and you can’t reinforce an emotion — only a behavior. So, protocols that include desensitizing the dog to be left alone are the best approach. Systematic desensitization is used to shape the dog to “trust” and feel comfortable being alone, basically in “dosages” of minuscule absences.

Do divide routines into little bitty steps and doses, that keep your dog below their breaking point — it’s the “Hmm, what’s going here?” versus the “OMG they’re leaving me!!!” It’s important to keep these mini absences stress-free, so the condition doesn’t worsen. This means suspending absences, so your dog isn’t left alone.

Do enlist help from others to be with your dog when you cannot be in order to prevent the onset of the fear/panic response, in other words, to keep your dog ‘under threshold.’

Do make sure your expectations are realistic and that what you envision matches your dog’s abilities.

Do consider looking at your situation from a different perspective. Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate ALL the things that our dogs do that are completely endearing and wonderful!

Do remember, you are not alone. Keep up your own spirits. Maintain respect, compassion, and patience — for both yourself and your dog.

Separation Anxiety “Don’ts”

Do not leave your dog alone for longer than the amount of time he or she can handle without panicking.

Do not take it personally. Separation anxiety is a real emotional panic disorder. Your dog is not being spiteful or naughty or trying to make you feel guilty about leaving.

Do not blame yourself – it’s not your fault. Sometimes pet parents blame themselves for their dog’s condition, but again, each dog is unique and you just never know how they will react when confronted with spending time alone. Similar to other diseases, like cancer or heart disease, some dogs are more prone to this condition than others are. No one is to blame — it just is what it is. Instead of focusing on a specific cause (often there really isn’t one), it’s best to focus on a solution.
Do not blame your dog. They are not being spiteful, getting revenge, or plotting for being left alone. Again, separation anxiety and isolation distress are panic disorders that need to be addressed. All they want is your help and compassion.

With a little help, and a lot of patience, before you know it, you’ll be back to living a calm, peaceful life with a dog who is happy that you’re home, but is secure, confident, and able to enjoy their “me time” while you are gone.

Here’s to being inquisitive about helping dogs with separation anxiety!

You Can Help Your Dog Enjoy Having Their Harness Put On!

joan — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 15:31:30 +0000

When you’re ready to unleash adventures with your inquisitive canine, think about starting with the right gear, especially a pet harness that is not only dog friendly but people friendly as well.

Ideally, your pet’s harness should be easy to put on and take off your dog and have easily adjustable straps. In addition to being simple to use for the human part of the canine-human team, select a harness that fastens around the neck, similar to a regular collar, rather than one that slips on or off over the head, which some dogs might be able to back out of and escape from. Clipping around the neck can also mean less worry for dogs who don’t like hands or items over their heads.

Once you have found a harness that is designed for comfort, is fully adjustable, and fastens easily and securely, it’s time to get your dog dressed! Many dogs will have no issue with this step and will happily accept a comfortable harness for what it is: the sign of fun to come. Other dogs are sensitive to certain kinds of body handling, or simply uncomfortable with an unfamiliar item, like a harness, being near them.

Wondering if your dog is nervous with the idea of wearing something novel? Look for signs of discomfort, such as acting startled when you bring the harness close to them, flinching away or pulling back, and/or licking their lips repeatedly. If your dog growls or snaps when you attempt to put on the harness, stop; give them the space they need in order to feel safe and then seek the assistance of a certified professional dog trainer or behavior consultant. If you do see signs of stress (as opposed to intense fear), you can help your pal out with a bit of patience and some knowledge of how to shape animal behavior.

The process of helping your dog enjoy having their harness put on might vary, depending on the individual dog. But the concept is the same. We suggest adjusting steps based on your own pet’s individual needs.

In general, it will look a little like this:

Supply yourself with a bunch of treats, or a portion of their meal if they’re enthusiastic eaters.
Start with the harness out of your dog’s line of sight. Bring it out so the dog can see it and then feed them a bunch of treats/food in a row, all while the harness is visible. In other words, harness ‘appears,’ then treats start flowing.
Place the harness out of your dog’s sight, then repeat, bringing the harness a bit closer to your inquisitive canine each time, until you can gently touch your dog with the harness, and there are no signs of distress. Ideally your dog is tail wagging and looking happily excited every time the harness comes into view, because they’ve come to associate it with getting delicious treats, which means “good times” for them.
Take a break.
Then, start again. This time your goal is to fasten the neck strap around your dog’s neck. Hold one clasp in each hand and move the harness toward your dog’s neck as though you are going to fasten it, like you would a collar. Bring it as close as you can without your dog showing any signs of stress, then give your dog a treat.
Gradually work toward being able to fasten the neck clasp, giving treats each step of the way, until your dog shows no signs of discomfort at having the harness’s neck strap fastened.
Now, you are ready to get your dog fully dressed in the rest of the harness! You can take the time to feed treats throughout this process, continuing to help your dog form positive associations, and not just tolerate -but enjoy- wearing a harness.
Taking your dog on amazing adventures after their harness goes on can also help to create positive associations with ‘getting dressed.’

The Art of Shaping Behavior

Shaping is reinforcing and rewarding behavior in small increments, with the goal of approaching the desired behavior. So, if your inquisitive canine is showing signs of nervousness at any point in the above process, slow things down and offer them more control over the situation. Choice is a wonderful reinforcer!

Begin with the initial steps outlined above, but when you get to step three, allow your dog to approach the harness on their own, rather than bringing it closer to them. Allow your dog to set the pace and decide how quickly they want to get dressed.

Continue to treat your dog for being brave, whenever they get closer to the harness, or even show any interest. If they walk away, that’s fine. Give them a break and try again a little later. Once your dog is showing more interest and less nervousness, continue with the steps outlined above. You may have to repeat the initial steps until your pup develops a positive conditioned response – “YAY! it’s the harness!” – and continues to learn to trust the game, the harness itself, and you.

Then, all that’s left is to unleash adventures and harness fun with your inquisitive canine!

Five Tips for Mastering the Art of Loose Leash Walking

joan — Fri, 24 May 2024 12:44:27 +0000

Would you like to take your inquisitive canine for a walk that is safe, fun, and enjoyable for you both? Then, these pro tips for teaching ‘Loose Leash Walking 101’ are a step in the right direction.

Pro Tip #1: Unleash adventure!

Loose leash walking (LLW) means your dog is walking near you on leash, without pulling, tugging, or lunging, while still exploring, sniffing, and enjoying the outdoors. Using a dog harness with a front clip option can be great for working on LLW skills, as it may help to reduce pulling (without pain, force, or fear!).

Pro Tip #2: Get ready to harness fun!

Have your dog dressed in their collar and harness (leash in tow), along with a few tasty treats stored in your convenient treat pouch. You can use these and other rewards to reinforce behaviors you want, communicating with your dog when they’re making good choices.

Pro Tip #3: Low-distraction location!

Start your practice indoors, or in another low-distraction environment. Keep up the treats, petting, and praise for polite walking on a slack leash. Continue to rehearse short practice sessions until your puppy or adult dog is consistently walking on leash, near you, indoors.

Pro Tip #4: Let’s go!

Once your dog understands the concept of LLW in this low-distraction environment, rather than going straight from your living room to a busy hiking trail, consider shaping your dog’s behavior and helping Fido generalize these skills. For example, first moving to the back yard, then the front, then a familiar street, and so on.

Pro Tip #5: Stay pawsitive!

The leash is used as a safety line, not for controlling your dog. Try to avoid pulling or tugging at your pup. Instead, whenever they come near you or create slack in the leash, use a cheerful voice to say, “Good dog” and give them a treat. Rewarding more frequently in these early stages of training helps motivate your dog to stay interested, as opposed to wandering to the end of the leash, looking for something else to do.

Bonus Pro Tip:

Enjoy this time together, learning, exploring, and bonding!

Here’s to happiness and success unleashing adventures and harnessing fun with your inquisitive canine!

The Top Five Dog Training Tips Your Dog Wants You to Know

joan — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Dog training can look like sorcery to the untrained eye. However, a few key tips can help you ‘decode your dog,’ get better results from your training efforts, and enhance the bonds you have with your inquisitive canine.

Understanding more about why dogs do what they do, and what your pet wants and needs, can help you get more of the behaviors you want- and less of what you don’t want. These five tips can help bring out the best in your best friend starting today:

1. Know your dog.

Dogs are individuals, with varied likes and dislikes, and distinct personalities. Knowing your dog really well allows you to create a training plan that caters to their strengths, making it easier for both of you.

Seeing what really gets your dog jazzed – liver treats, a game of fetch, a trip to the dog park – can help you select the most motivating reinforcers when you’re working on new behaviors. Knowing your dog well will also help you have realistic expectations for what they can achieve.

2. Set yourself - and your dog - up for success.

Dogs are so incredibly adaptable that we often forget how confusing our human world can be to them. Make things easier by managing your inquisitive canine’s environment. We need to do what we can to prevent unwanted behaviors from being practiced and/or inadvertently rewarded. Are you clearing off kitchen surfaces to prevent counter surfers from succeeding in their quests? Stave off unwanted behavior by changing the environment rather than trying to change the dog.

3. Think hard about the question, “Why is my dog doing this?”

Understanding the “why” behind a behavior, from a dog’s perspective, can help with training. Consider whether what’s happening is normal behavior for inquisitive canines. Dogs eat, eliminate, chew, dig, and bark; and all of that is entirely natural. These behaviors can and should be directed to appropriate channels. Remember, dogs are problem solvers, so help direct their problem-solving energy to something productive. Ask yourself if you are providing ‘legal’ outlets for innate canine behaviors. It’s important that a dog’s world is interesting and enriching. Your pooch may simply be doing the unwanted thing because no one has presented another option!

4. Reward what you like.

It’s easy to miss it when your dog is behaving perfectly, but it’s important that you “catch them in the act” of making good choices. As you reinforce the behaviors you like, they’ll happen more often. That’s just the science of behavior. It can be tempting to focus on what our dogs are doing wrong (because humans are problem solvers too), but it’s much more helpful to focus on what we would like them to do and then lovingly teach them. Ask yourself if you have taught your dog what you want them to do, when to do it, and where to do it. Need help? Proceed to Tip #5.

5. If you're stuck, seek help.

If you’re stuck at any point along the way, seek help from a professional, force-free canine behavior consultant. With this type of support, pet parents can better understand how dogs learn and how they communicate, can develop practical problem-solving (and problem prevention) skills, and gain confidence applying techniques learned in training sessions to real-life situations.

Any good behavior program begins with a strong human-canine relationship. So, these five strategies, the foundation of The Inquisitive Canine philosophy and methodology, can help you train your dog while enhancing the bond you share. As Albert Einstein once said, “Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding.”

Here’s to you and your inquisitive canine succeeding as a team!