I’ve often heard that dogs need jobs. A bored dog is a destructive dog. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Full disclosure: Leo and Mia live lives of leisure. I’ve tried finding a career path for Leo. We’ve done Rally-O, nose work, jogging. We have agility equipment in the backyard. Leo will do theContinue reading “J is for Job”
Category Archives: barking and lunging
H is for Harness
Harness your dog’s energy and she’ll walk nicely beside you. Leo wears a green front-clasp harness designed to improve the walking skills of pullers, even though he’s always walked pretty well on leash. I’ve read that these harnesses are tools to be used until the dog learns how to walk properly, and then you’re supposed toContinue reading “H is for Harness”
F is for Found!
Last weekend we took the dogs to Rob’s parents’ for a hot tub. (We were going to hot tub; the dogs were going to hang out on the deck.) After parking the car, I opened the back door and unhooked Mia from her tether, letting her hop out of the car off-leash. I actually said,Continue reading “F is for Found!”
E is for Every Day
Today’s post is doing double duty as part of the A to Z Challenge and the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop. E is for Every Day, which is how often we work with Leo on his leash reactivity. It’s quite easy, actually. We just take him for a walk. Even with the best of intentions,Continue reading “E is for Every Day”
C is for Cheesy!
As regular readers know, my leash-reactive German shepherd Leo has made great progress lately as a result of what I call the Cheesy Technique. Based on the CARE for Reactive Dogs program, I’m creating a positive association with the things he enjoys barking at. When he sees those things, I give him a special treat heContinue reading “C is for Cheesy!”
Take-home Message (plus Free Book!)
Wednesday is the last day Bark and Lunge will be available for free on Kindle! Click here for the free eBook! Join the Wordless Wednesday fun by clicking the Linky Link and visiting other blogs in the Blog Hop. Powered by Linky Tools Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Training versus management for leash-reactive dogs
A few years ago, I decided we were going to cure Leo of his reactivity to bicycles. We planned to walk around the campus of the nearby university where Rob works, with Rob’s bicycle. We started with Rob walking beside the bicycle, and Leo was totally cool with that. Then, another bicycle whizzed past, Leo barkedContinue reading “Training versus management for leash-reactive dogs”
Ditch the Pinch Collar
Want to know how I finally ditched the pinch collar and taught my dog not to pull on the leash? Download Bark and Lunge for FREE today, Feb. 25 to find out! (Spoiler, we don’t figure it out until Chapter 7, if you want to skip ahead.) Click here for the free eBook Happy WordlessContinue reading “Ditch the Pinch Collar”
Speaking up for positive training
Several of us in the positive training community were distressed a few months ago when a company that sells shock collars courted dog bloggers to convince them of the virtues of aversive training. It felt like we were backsliding. Were these methods coming back into style? I’m happy to tell you that at least oneContinue reading “Speaking up for positive training”
Positive outlook for the new year
I’ve taken the dogs to the above secluded beach a few times where they’ve romped happily off leash. There’s a short cliff leading to a road above, and Leo made my worst fear come true for about two minutes on New Year’s Eve, when he raced up to the road and ran back and forthContinue reading “Positive outlook for the new year”
Kari Neumeyer 