Dog Training DisrUPted

Welcome to Dog Training DisrUPted. Do you get overwhelmed by the amount of conflicting suggestions and advise? You are not alone! Surprisingly, many of those approaches may be effective, and many ineffective - why? Many methods assess behaviors and then implement solutions to address the behavior. CCBT analyzes the situation, determining the reason for the dog's behaivor, based on the goal and thought processes. This episode explores one situation (a dog growl...

I recently took two puppies in off a reserve and here is what I learned! By understating puppy training and braining , we can better understand how different methods are effective at different stages. Meet Jonesy and Jackson, 3 month old puppies who are very different from each other. How are methods adapted? Why is it important to view training as bonding and harnessing cognitive skills, as opposed to "tick the boxes". Referencing specific examples with these pups, this...

Dog behaviors associated with aggression and anxiety are caused by many factors, of which cognitive dissonance is rarely discussed, yet has a profound impact, in particular with adolescent and adult dogs, while, perhaps surprisingly, upbringing is not a differentiating factor. This episode covers what it is, common signs/behaviors including examples, what NOT to do - and most importantly, why, and why CCBT is so effective in addressing behaviors stemming from cognitive dissonance. As alwa...

Fostering adolescent and adult dogs can be challenging. In this episode, I break down the goals and introduce the 7 step fostering program I have applied with hundreds of dogs and taught to dozens of fosters. Programs for pet parents are different than those of fostering - Why? Because the goal is different! Fostering is not about BEING the best home or addressing behavioral issues that are specific to the foster home, but rather, taking the steps to ensure a successful adoption into ...

Welcome to the final episode of 2022 - a not-so-typical year in review. It is time! You deserve to know why the dog behavioral experts are keeping the info from you. Why is the shelter system unaware of Canine CBT - or are they? Are behavioral veterinarians any more educated than your average trainer? Why are trainers scared to admit that methods are not meeting the needs of all the clients? This episode is, essentially, a year in review – with a twist. Have you wondered why the so-c...

Hello and thanks for joining me! I am guessing most of you are not proponents of methods that take a "dominance" approach. What does this really entail? And how is it different from Alpha and Pack Leader? There are common exercises in dominance training that may not seem as though they would have a negative effect, and, in fact, are part of mainstream dog training. Is going through a door first harmful or simply counterproductive? Can this routine lead to dominance, and will that achi...

Welcome! In this episode I refer to the studies by Dr. Kathy Murphy, owner of Barking Brains, and a neuroscientist who specializes in brain development in respect to behaviors and the success (or lack there of) of training methods in different life stages. This episode focuses on the adolescent stage, describing brain development and how it effects behaviors. There are a lot of comparisons to teenagers! The adolescent stage is where I have devoted my three decades of study and ...

Leash walks can be frustrating when dogs are pulling, putting on the brakes, or lolly-gagging. Should you be expected to continuously turn around, or simply allow your dog to sniff everything? Should you be expected to have decompression walks that are really only decompressing for your dog? In this ep I talk about common recommendations, from continuously turning around, standing still, to allowing your dog to sniff and decide the direction (is this a technique?). I talk ...