Tag Archives: dog training

Dog Training During COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place

Posted on April 15, 2020 by

As the planet’s humans deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, our dogs can be a big part of helping us get through social distancing, self-quarantine and isolation.  Talk about emotional support!  The CDC does not believe that humans can contract COVID-19 from domestic … Continue reading →

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Helping your fearful puppy become a more confident dog

Posted on June 5, 2019 by

My jumping off point for this post is a commercial for the California Academy of Sciences in which my dog Otis was recently cast, and my assertion is that it takes time (months and years) for any puppy, but especially … Continue reading →

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Realistic expectations: The semantics of “fixing” your dog

Posted on November 14, 2014 by

By Jeff Stallings Animal behavior science has advanced a great deal in recent decades. We now understand more about canine cognitive development than ever, thanks to researchers such as Alexandra Horowitz, John Bradshaw and Brian Hare. New discoveries into how … Continue reading →

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How Often Should You Give Food Rewards During Dog Training?

Posted on November 18, 2013 by

By Jeff Stallings My dog Otis loves to spend time in the backyard, lounging in the sun or engaging in secretive but very important dog rituals, tossing pinecones around and gnawing on sticks.  But if I call to her from … Continue reading →

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Dog Training Guarantees

Posted on September 14, 2013 by

By Jeff Stallings I grew up cringing at those comically annoying radio spots by Tom Shane (my friend in the diamond business!), who guaranteed that I would not, could not, find a better diamond at a lower price.  Likewise, in … Continue reading →

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Littermate Syndrome: The risky downside to raising sibling puppies

Posted on July 18, 2013 by

[Please note that an update of this article was published in the Winter 2014 issue of Bark Magazine.] By Jeff Stallings, CPDT-KA Upon reading Patricia Leslie’s email, I knew I’d be replying with disappointing news. “We were planning to adopt … Continue reading →

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My article in the July issue of Bay Woof: Your Dog Needs a Job

Posted on July 1, 2013 by

Most evenings as we settle down to read or watch TV, Jim or I give Otis something to chew. She has many favorites from what I call the “carnage aisle” of the pet store, such as beef kneecaps, bully sticks, … Continue reading →

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Nature vs. Nurture: Dog breeds, temperament and training

Posted on June 5, 2013 by

By Jeff Stallings Recently, an exasperated dog owner contacted me about her out-of-control, “aggressive” Labrador retriever. She was trying to understand why her 2-year-old dog actively challenges other dogs, men and children with growls, snaps and threatening postures. During our … Continue reading →

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Treat/Retreat: a strategy for introducing your reactive dog to houseguests

Posted on April 15, 2013 by

By Jeff Stallings Folks sometimes hire me to help with dogs who feel threatened or frightened by strangers entering their homes. These dogs bark, growl, snap or otherwise display signs of fear-based aggression on encountering new people. Owners sometimes attempt … Continue reading →

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Clicker Training: Better, Faster, More

Posted on February 21, 2013 by

By Jeff Stallings My favorite dog training story of recent vintage concerns three shelter dogs being taught to drive a car.  That’s right, the New Zealand SPCA undertook canine drivers ed to demonstrate that rescue dogs are smart, trainable and … Continue reading →

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