Your Dog's Best Life

In this episode, Liane discusses the complex issue of reactivity in dogs. First, by defining reactivity as barking, lunging, growling, etc... at people or dogs either on leash or off. Then dialing down to the three most likely reasons why a dog might engage in such behavior.This is followed by an explanation of how various dog trainers address this behavior, and the ethics of certain techniques.See us on Facebook Your Dog's Best Life

In this episode, Liane recaps her fall: Her first USBCHA trial, Matilda getting ready for her BH in IGP, starting a PSA/ American Schutzhund club in Tucson, and almost tragically losing Tagg to Leptospirosis, a poorly understood waterborne pathogen.Check out Your Dog's Best Life on FB

In this episode Liane discusses why dogs sometimes struggle to generalize rules about what to put in their mouths, or even when and how the cue, sit works.

In this podcast, Liane discusses new frontiers in dog training with Concept training. Concepts are generalization of things like colors or toys, as well as mimicry, social learning, or Do as I Do training. Maggie just ran a Master Class in Generalization for dog trainers in Reno, NV, and brings these cool ideas to us.Catch up with us on FB

More and more people are thinking about getting Livestock Guardian Dogs to protect their small homesteads. With more buyers, there are more breeders, and unfortunately, some of these dogs are ending up in situations that could have been prevented. Livestock guardian dogs - Great Pyrenees, Anatolian Shepherd, Akbash, Maremma Sheepdog, Caucasian Shepherd, etc.. Are genetically predisposed to certain behaviors that can be problematic if people are not aware. They are also not the best answer for many small homesteaders wanting to protect stock from predators. Whether you are looking for an LGD, or already have one, this is great information

In this episode, Liane speaks with special guest Nita Gandera about how she is raising her current Australian Shepherd puppy, Nessie. Liane has a puppy from the same litter, so the discussion includes where their training differs as well as where it is similar. Discussed: Critical socialization period, Puppy Culture, Early puppy training, obedience, mistakes people make when socializing puppies, a few scientific segues, and exercise and puppies.Join us on FB : Your Dog's Best Life

Do you cue your dog, or do you give commands? While these words are synonymous, the mindset behind them can be vastly dissimilar. In this episode, Liane discusses some recent trialling issues she has faced with her herding dog, Cody, and how she analyzes those problems through the lens of cue vs command.

In this episode, Liane discuses (makes excuses?) for why she hasn't recorded in a moth. She discusses a herding trial in Arizona, and that leads into how she is using punishment to prevent her youngest dog, Tagg, from gripping sheep out of frustration. Liane brings everything home by discussing excited door greetings, jumping, biting, and barking, that can occur when people enter the house, and why what you're doing to correct these behaviors may not have the desired effect.Join our fB Page, Your Dog's Best Life Podcast

In this episode, Liane asks agility trainer, and bijorer Ffluffy Nicholas about the sport of bikejoring. Bikejoring is a sport that allows dogs who love to pull an outlet. Perfect for huskies and other nordic breeds, but also, possibly just what the doctor ordered for a lot of bored pit bull types, and Liane's little maniac, Matilda.Fluffy took up bikejoring in 2020, and fell in love, buying a racing rig, and competing with her dogs. She uses her staff mix, as well as her border collies, and Malinois. We also discuss canicross, which is a slower version, where the dog simply helps a person run or hike.

In this episode Liane discusses why and how we can train our dogs using food. Training with food, while popular, still faces some common complaints and problems. How do we train with food if the dog doesn't want it? How do we move away from using food so our dog listens all the time? How do we make food more exciting for our dogs? How do we work with a dog so frightened that it won't take food? Liane discusses and trouble shoots each of these issues.We now have a Facebook page where this podcast streams! Check out Your Dog's Best Life on Facebook!

In this episode Liane discusses three dog bite situations and explains how they differ. She shows that a behavior divorced from motivation tells us nothing. She also discusses why attributing emotionally charged words to behavior sets us and our dogs up for failure.We now have a Facebook page for our podcast! Check out Your Dog's Best Life on Facebook!

In this episode, Liane discusses the origin of of our dogs, and why understanding the evolutionary history of the domestication of the dog matters to you, and to them.Why do dogs dig? Why do dogs go through the trash? Why do dogs bark? All of these behaviors are explained once we understand where our dogs come from, and how Man's Best Friend, came to be.

In dog training we discuss management vs training a lot. Which is better is sometimes a matter f opinion, training styles and methodology, and more. What we know for a fact is that we are all managed to some extent. Choices and decisions that could have unwanted consequences are managed quite often for both humans and dogs.Management can, like most things, be a double edged sword, so decisions about how, when, and under what circumstances our dog's behavior should be managed can become complicated.In this episode, Liane dials down into the management side of training our dogs, and discusses what circumstances benefit from management, and how management in conjunction or absence of other training is a good choice.