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Articles
Are You Dealing with a Conditioned Fear Response?
Summary: A conditioned fear response (CFR) is different than other fear responses in several ways...
Another trademark of this kind of a fear is that a CFR is not only resistant to extinction,
the the CFR is more likely to display spontaneous recovery
More Info: Hope you enjoyed this article. It is covered in more detail in my CFR e-training course
DWAA Nominated Articles - Runner Up
A Nose for Trouble
Summary: several
breeds are bred for a compact nose, including bulldog breeds, Pekinese, Pugs,
Shih Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Boston Terriers, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This kind of a
nose structure often creates a respiratory problem...
~2008 Finalist DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America)
More Info: Hope you enjoyed this article. This article uses what is
known as "calming signals." In the book Training the Hard to Train
Dog, you will find more information on calming signals, along with how to use
massage to sooth a dog, in the chapter Nervous Nellies.
Rick - Hard vs Soft Dogs
Summary: Abby watches people from her crate, leery. She doesn’t trust them. Human actions,
their demeanor, is something her mind doesn’t naturally process. Rick Hardin takes her out of
her crate and you wouldn’t believe this is the same dog.
More Info: More available in the book Rescue your Dog from Fear.
Dominant or Assertive Dog Part 1
Summary: One of the most confusing characteristics of the Jack Russell Terrier is the
assertiveness of the dog. This is mistakenly tagged as canine dominance, even by
experienced dog trainers. This error can create training disasters...
~2008 Finalist DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America)
More Info: More available in the book Training the Hard to Train Dog.
Dominant or Assertive Dog Part 2
Summary: ...one of the best ways to understand the assertive nature of a dog is
to look at how that nature is used by the dogs. Herding dogs are typically
assertive. Take for example...
More Info: More information available in the book Training the Hard to Train Dog.
Shy or Abused?
Summary: The truth of the mater was that no man or woman ever beat the dog. Alexis' true problem
was that she was extremely shy. Likewise, I'm willing to bet that the
woman who adopted the dog she thought had been abused was also dealing with an extremely shy terrier.
~2009 Nominee DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America)
More Info: Hope you enjoyed this article. A lot of people have no idea
what to do with shy, frightened, and dog who seem afraid of the world. In the
book Training the Hard to Train Dog, the chapter on Nervous Nellies can help you
with these kind of dogs.
Electronic Training Collars-The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Published by: Off Lead Magazine
Summary: This article was written about how a person can use an electronic dog
collar for training, and not just for punishment. Finalist
in DWAA (Dog Writers Association of America) Off Lead Special Award for
Best Training Article, 2002.
Helpful Dog Training Articles
Bad Dog or Anxious Dog - Dealing with Separation Anxiety
Summary: There are two parts to resolving separation anxiety in your dog.
The first part is to accurately identify the problem and the second is to
find the right training to solve the issue. About fifteen years ago, before
I learned how to solve separation anxiety in dogs, I didn’t always recognize
the problem...
Calming Signals that Help
Summary: Before an agility run, I was talking to Kelly Misegadis...Suddenly, Hoosier began what
Kelly later described as a reverse sneeze. Instead of blowing air out, the Boston Terrier
began to snort air inward in short, rapid, and inefficient breaths. There was no missing the
panic in Hoosier’s eyes as the dog suffered the equivalent of having the
breath knocked out of him...
Breaking Treat Blackmail
Summary: "Watch this, the dog has me trained." I watched as Larry picked up a
treat and asked Kelsey to jump on his lap. Kelsey complied. "Now watch this."
Larry put her down and set a handful of treats on the table next to him. He again asked
Kelsey to jump on his lap. Kelsey looked at Larry and cocked her head as if she didn't
understand. He said, "I can't even fake her out." He pretended to pick up a treat
and asked her to jump up. Kelsey again cocked her head and looked at him intently.
"Now watch." Larry picked up the treat off the table and told Kelsey up. She
immediately jumped on his lap...
More Info: Hope this article helped you understand how some dogs try and take charge.
There is more information on this subject in the book Training the Hard to Train Dog.
Building Confidence
Summary: ...judges look for a presence in the dog. That presence is
communicated when the dog's head is up and the dog gaits boldly.
However, a dog with a quieter, more reserved nature, can become
overwhelmed in a show environment, preventing the dog from showing his
better character. Likewise, in obedience, a dog that feels insecure
may not be able to focus on commands, and in agility the dog may shut
down all together.
More Info: Hope you enjoyed this article. In the book Training the
Hard to Train Dog, you will find more information on working with dogs who need
more confidence or who are insecure.
Prey Drive That Causes Biting Needs Special Training
Summary: Anytime a dog bites, especially if
the dog breaks the skin, a dog owner has a good reason to be concerned. After
this kind of an incident, a dog owner might ask him or herself several
questions: Will this problem continue...
More Info: More information available in the book Training the Hard to Train Dog.
Why did our dog kill our cat
Summary: Why did our dog kill our cat? This is a question that Jack Russell/Parson Russell
Terrier owners ask more often than other dog owners. Even when the terrier is raised
with a cat, there are specific reasons these dogs may kill a household pet.
More Info: More information available in the book Training the Hard to Train Dog.
DWAA - Each year the Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) has an annual writing
contest. Awards are given in February of the following year at a ceremony in New
York.
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