Archives for August 2013

Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

This recipe was created by a friend of mine, Melani, for her own wonderful dog, Alice.  I leave the instructions intact, along with her sense of humor. Melani’s PB Cookie Recipe 1-1/2 cup flour (white or whole wheat) 1/2 cup rolled oats 1 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup milk (Can be low fat but whats the point?) 1-1/2 cups peanut butter 2 Tbsps blackstrap molasses Whisk dry, stir in wet, knead for a min on a floured surface, roll, cut, {Read More}

Clicker Training To Salvage A Behavior

A clicker is a tool used to communicate exactness to a dog.  It’s the bridge between the moment a dog executes a behavior to the reward he gets after the click. It’s a communication device. Always pair the click with a reward. Otherwise, your clicker will soon become useless. Besides building behaviors, clicker training can salvage them. Here is a 30-second example of how helpful a well timed click can be. And be assured, Dudley got a treat after the {Read More}

AKC Community Canine Title Announced

Here are some excerpts from a letter the AKC sent out today regarding a new CGC opportunity. AKC ADDS NEW ADVANCED LEVEL TO CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® PROGRAM With the introduction of AKC Community Canine, the AKC’s CGC program now provides a comprehensive three- level training program for dogs and their owners. Beginning with AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, progressing to Canine Good Citizen and now to AKC Community Canine, the CGC program trains dogs through all stages of life to be well {Read More}

Cues vs. Commands

What’s the difference between a cue and a command? Being a crossover trainer, that is someone who started training dogs when commanding was all that was taught to someone who now trains without force or pain, I can tell you there’s a big difference between the two words. Though both cuing and commanding refer to hand or verbal signals given to the dog to request a behavior. A command assumes forceful control over a dog. What follows an unfulfilled command {Read More}