The DogSmith Blog

Training a dog to walk on a loose leash begins with teaching a dog to be on a leash without lunging, pulling, bouncing or lagging. The owner stands still with the dog on a leash by its side. The dog’s behavior is reinforced, any behavior other than jumping or pulling, these behaviors are targeted for [...]

Niki Tudge October 2011 Copyright Social behavior is how dogs interact and form relationships with other dogs, people and other beings. The relationships formed are shaped at each interaction as behavior dimensions are strengthened or weakened due to the situation specific contingencies. During these social interactions conditioned emotional responses are also elicited due to the [...]

Written by Niki Tudge Let us consider Sea World. I am sure many of you have watched dolphins or whales perform many creative and amazing tricks. How do the marine trainers get these behaviors and put them under stimulus control? They certainly do not use a choke chain or physically manipulate the marine mammals to [...]

Here is Benson and Berkley, they are staying with us for a few days at Oxford Pet Resort & Spa and their parents signed then up for a 30 minute fun training session   The pups are learning to sit, they are also learning that if they want some attention or stroking then jumping is [...]

  Register here

What Is Punishment? When we are talking about punishment with regard to our dogs, punishment is anything that is intended to reduce an undesirable behavior.  Shouting, hitting or withholding a toy or affection can all be considered punishment. It is very important to recognize that something we may consider punishment may not actually be punishment [...]

Here is Sister learning that just because food is thrown on the floor it does not mean she can have it unless told directly its OKAY. This was phase two of  “leave it” The first part was teaching Sister not to go for food in the hand and then food placed gently on the floor. [...]

Sister is a young dog with  loads of personality. She loved to greet people by jumping up. Its unfair to punish a dog when they simply want to greet you, it would be like me slapping you in the face if you simply extend your hand for me to shake. Far more appropriate is to [...]

Interested in a pet dog training class, maybe teaching your pet dog how much fun  Dog Agility is ? Fetch a DogSmith dog training voucher. Check out our weekly discount programs. Click here and print out the voucher of your choice Watch some short DogSmith dog training videos. Click here Which Class or Choice is [...]

Questions I Wish My Vet Would Ask Me About My Behavior Dear Doctor; More young dogs like me are euthanized or turned into shelters for behavior problems than are lost to parvo and other diseases.  Since your patients come to see you for wellness exams at least once or twice during the year, I have [...]