The Power of Peanut Butter

Behold! One of the most versatile dog training tools known to man. (Photo Credit: Victoria Chilinski)

What’s your favorite training tool? Dog trainers are always looking for the latest and greatest items to add to their bag of tricks. My answer can be found at any supermarket or convenience store: peanut butter!

For Agility Dogs

My passion for peanut butter began while attending agility classes with Tessie. She is a whiner, and would anxiously await her next turn on the equipment by making all sorts of strange noises. Springers are capable of making […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-12-15T21:18:55-05:00December 17, 2015|Group Classes, Helpful Hints, Reactive Dogs, Training|1 Comment

Training How-To: Loose Leash Walking

What is loose leash walking? Loose leash walking is an informal leash walking behavior. It’s not “heeling”, which is a precision walking behavior required for obedience competitions, but it can be a precursor to that. While loose leash walking it is acceptable if your dog sniffs, lags behind you, or forges ahead of you a little bit, as long as the leash stays loose.

Keeping the leash loose is a two-way street. Remember, your dog can’t walk politely if you are pulling her! (Photo Credit: Dave Fayram)

Why does my dog […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-12-09T17:29:13-05:00December 14, 2015|Training, Tutorials and How-To Guides|Comments Off

Training How-To: Get on the Mat

You can use any object as your dog’s mat! Dog beds are a popular choice, but towels and small blankets work well, too. (Photo Credit: Howard Young)

What is “Get on the Mat”? The dog learns to relax on a ‘mat’ – a specific towel, blanket, or dog bed. This mat can be moved to any location, like your kitchen, the vet’s office, or the car, and your dog will know to stay on it and relax.

Why does my dog need to know it? Getting on a mat […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-12-09T17:21:58-05:00December 10, 2015|Training, Tutorials and How-To Guides|1 Comment

Stop Free-Feeding: How to Feed Your Dog Regular Meals

Is there always a bowl of food on your kitchen floor? If so, you’re free-feeding. (Photo by JnL on Flickr.)

One of the first management recommendations I make to my clients is to stop “free-feeding” their dog. Free-feeding means leaving a bowl of dog food on the ground for hours at a time, if not all day long, rather than giving the dog regularly scheduled meals which need to be eaten immediately.

Here are some of the problems with free-feeding:

Free-fed dogs are harder to housebreak. Scheduled input of food means […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-12-02T16:00:02-05:00December 7, 2015|Helpful Hints, Training, Tutorials and How-To Guides|Comments Off

Leave It! – Or Don’t? Self Control vs. Imposed Control for Dogs

[Photo Credit: Andrew Hyde]

“No!” “Leave it!” “Off!” These are three cues that are more familiar to some dogs than “sit”, “come”, and “good dog.” Surprisingly, they often work against dog owners and serve to reinforce the very behaviors the owners are trying to punish.

A scenario: At the pet store, a bag of dog kibble has torn open and spilled all over the floor. A man is walking his dog down the aisle. His dog notices the kibble and lunges forward to eat some. “Leave it! No, […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-11-25T17:16:00-05:00November 30, 2015|Training|1 Comment

Puppy Nipping: A Plan to Stop It

Puppy nipping is one of the most frustrating behaviors that new owners report. It hurts! But you’ll see a big reduction in puppy nipping in a short period just by getting some human cooperation.

If this is a familiar sight, it’s time for a new training plan! (Photo Credit: Renata Lima, Flickr)

Let’s start by examining why your puppy is putting his mouth on things. I don’t like to spend a ton of time pondering why a dog is doing what he’s doing, but puppy nipping is such a frustrating behavior for owners […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-11-23T02:27:07-05:00November 23, 2015|Helpful Hints, Puppies, Training, Tutorials and How-To Guides|Comments Off

Training How-To: Hand Targeting

What is hand targeting? It’s simple! The dog learns to touch his nose to a human’s hand. That’s it!

Why does my dog need to know it? Hand targeting is one of the most versatile behaviors you can teach your dog! It gives boisterous youngsters and shy, wary dogs something appropriate to do when presented with an outstretched hand. Instead of mouthing the hand or backing away, the dogs know to nose-poke it instead. It can also be used to teach dogs to walk on a loose leash, and to move dogs from one place to another, such as from the couch to […]

By Katherine Ostiguy, KPA CTP CPDT-KA|2015-10-21T16:21:53-04:00October 21, 2015|Training, Tutorials and How-To Guides|1 Comment