"Leave it" is a command that is essential to protecting your dog from environmental hazards and an important part of many therapy dog evaluations. We spend the second half of the show discussing this cue in the context of other behaviors, and start out with a big bag of listener mail, including: More info on event markers, feedback on our discussions on punishment, how to keep training fun for easily bored dogs, the Magic of Meatballs (easier than you think), dealing with loss in the...

Learn all about "pecking order" and where we get our beliefs and theories of alphas, pack leaders, and dominance. After the history, we get to the current science, and wrap up our three-part series on unwanted behavior, punishment, and the current science that can help us deal more effectively with these often misunderstood (and misused) concepts. All this and a big stack of listener mail! Show Notes and Links: Thorleif Schjelderup-Ebbe and "Pecking Order" on Wikipedia Dr. Sophia Yin: Ask...

In our last episode, we discussed methods consistent with a "positive" training approach for eliminating unwanted behaviors. This week, we talk about punishment, the negative effects it can have on your training agenda, and the official position statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) on Punishment. All that, and we answer a BUNCH of viewer mail and calls! Show Notes and Links: Deaf Dog Education Action Fund Raw Diet (BARF) on...

Positive reinforcement training teaches behaviors and decision making skills, but how do we deal with unwanted behaviors? This show demonstrates techniques for indicating a behavior is undesirable without resorting to positive punishment, especially in light of a recent study from the University of Pennsylvania indicating that dog owners who use confrontational or aversive methods to train aggressive pets will continue to experience, and perhaps even increase aggressive behavior, unless...

Atlanta Copywriter and Videographer Dan Goldgeier stops by to talk about his work with the Animal Rescue League of Northwest Georgia and how they are using Facebook, YouTube, and other new media tools to help facilitate and increase adoptions from their facility. Dan gives great tips on how they do it, including how to tell the story, pre-production planning, and even a few tips on how to use the camera.   Visit the Animal Rescue League of Northwest Georgia's YouTube Channel here, and click...

Attention is the foundation of every communication with your dog, so in this episode, we discuss Attention Training – Why it’s important, how to teach attention training, and how to put it to work for you! Also - we're on FaceBook! Join our group, Friend us, whatever, but be sure to get in touch (on our Wall, via email at [email protected], or even by phone at 434-973-1050) and let us know what you want to hear on the show!

We're back for 2009! In this show: Listener letters, a brief chat about Raw Diet, and a quick answer for Ted on drive, which we'll be dedicating an entire episode to very soon. Primarily, we discuss handling and grooming (it's Spa Day at Canine Campus!) 1024x768 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ...

Deven discusses strategies and resources for overcoming the unique challenges of living with more than two dogs, including throwing out outdated notions of pack hierarchy and the book "FEELING OUTNUMBERED? HOW TO MANAGE & ENJOY A MULTI-DOG HOUSEHOLD" by Karen London & Patricia McConnell.

Deven discusses how using life rewards (i.e. rewards that aren't food treats!) can help integrate positive reinforcement training in to every interaction with your dog. We discuss how to identify life rewards, the importance of moving from continuous to intermittent reinforcement schedules, and how these methods can enrich your training relationship. Click here to download the Life Rewards worksheet. Also, our podcast host Wizzard Media would like to know a little bit about our...

What are the tough questions you need to ask yourself when considering asking a dog into your life? Deven and Stace review Purdue's "Pet Selection Survey" (download)  and discuss the process of adding a dog to your family. Review of the survey questions includes some analysis of breed characteristics and common problems that arise from incompatible lifestyles, along with tips on how to find just the right match. photo via

Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas is a noted expert on canine body language, notably "calming signals" which are signals dogs give other dogs and humans that denote stress, and even a cursory study of Rugaas' work provides invaluable tools for any serious dog trainer. In this episode, Deven discusses what "calming signals" are, why the research is important and how you can use these tools to facilitate better training and communication with your four-legged friends. Links: Canis.no –...

Happy Holidays from Canine Campus! We hope you enjoy the attached card and wish you and your entire pack a safe, fun, and restful holiday season. To keep the stress level low during this time of "high distraction", remember to: 1. Set your dogs and your guests up for success by providing clear communication, handy treats, and a management plan. 2. Have plenty of loaded food toys, regular toys, and quiet areas ready to provide easy distraction or comfortable time-outs. 3. Remember that...

Deven discusses how to approach the problem of resource guarding, with valuable references and tools for keeping pup away from treasured but troublesome treats. Later in the show, learn how to defer this behavior from puppyhood while teaching appropriate chewing and mouthing. Recommended Reading and Links: MINE! A Guide To Resource Guarding In Dogs by Jean Donaldson Award Winner, Dog Writer's Assn. of America, 2002, Training and Behavior Book. The San Francisco SPCA photo

Almost-perfect pooches that exhibit bad behavior on-leash might have many reasons for doing so - here's how to accurately identify and change the behavior, with details on how the process works and what you can do to increase your efficiency as a trainer. Thanks to listener Mark from Sweden for sending in the question, and you can do the same at www.CanineCampus.com Recommended Reading and Links: Turid Rugaas: Calming Signals Patricia McConnell: Feisty Fido: Help for the...

As promised in the last show, these excerpts from the Canine Campus class manual provide direction on methods for socialization, the Socialization Scavenger Hunt, and teaching bite inhibition.

Finding the right trainer for you, how to build "anticipation" in training, praise for Susan Garrett, why puppy socialization is so important. links: Susan Garret via Dogwise DOGS! Course at Purdue University

Blair French, Therapy Dogs International Evaluator, discusses what therapy-dog work is all about - the differences between Therapy Dogs and Service Animals, and Animal-assisted therapy. Learn what's required in the test, what you can learn in a class, and what's involved in the training, work, and rewards of practicing therapy dog work. Links: Therapy Dogs International Delta Society

Deven Gaston's delayed report from her last day at the 2006 APDT conference, with reports on Dr. Esther Schalke's research on shock collars ("Stress Symptoms Caused by the Use of Electric Training Collars on Dogs in Everyday Life Situations"), and what Dr. Patricia McConnell had to say about her new book, "The Biology of Emotion in People & Dogs". Further Info from the APDT website: Stress Symptoms Caused by the Use of Electric Training Collars on Dogs in Everyday Life Situations Esther...

Highlights from Day 3 of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Kansas City. MO. Deven Gaston reports on Acupressure for the Canine Athlete, Assessing the Risk of Injury by Aggressive Dogs, and new products from the show floor. Links: Four Paws, Five Directions, A Guide To Chinese Medicine For Cats And Dogs By Cheryl Schwartz Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs & Cats by Richard & Susan Pitcairn Acupressure's Potent Points: a Guide to Self-Care for...

News and Highlights from the First Day of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Kansas City. MO. Deven Gaston reports on the Keynote from Susan Garrett, the UPENN Canine Behavioral Research Questionnaire, and some great new stuff from Premier. Also, Music from the Podsafe Music Network and info on the new Canine Campus online Store. Links: Susan Garrett: Ruff Love Susan Garrett: Shaping Success uPenn's Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire Premier Pet...

Why do dogs tug on the leash and what can we do to train away this natural, if not annoying, behavior? Canine Campus Trainer Deven Gaston discusses why dogs tug, how we complicate the behavior, and what we can do with positive reinforcement training to eliminate this pesky behavior.

Deven Gaston discusses the problem of dogs jumping up and positive-reinforcement training techniques for eliminating this annoying behavior. Show notes and links: Pat Miller: The Power of Positive Dog Training Positive Perspectives Patricia McConnell: The Other End of the Leash Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT): http://www.apdt.com/ For more information, visit our website at www.CanineCampus.com