Settle on a Mat: Making It Useful Everyday Teaching your dog to settle on a mat is super useful. When your dog settles on a mat, he lies down on that mat, wherever it is, and pretty much chills out. In last month’s newsletter, I introduced the concept of settle and gave you everything you needed […]
Training for a Race is EXACTLY Like Training Your Dog
I’ve been running all spring and summer to get ready for a race: Across the Bay 10K. It’s this weekend! All my training is ready to be tested on Sunday when I run 6.2 miles across the Chesapeake Bay. At the highest point, I’ll be almost 200 feet above the water. I’ve run this race before […]
Help Your Dog Through Scary Veterinary Visits
Does your dog think veterinary visits are scary? If you wish you could make those necessary visits a little easier on your dog, you’re in the right place. Schooner the Great Dane is 165 pounds of muscle. He’s a big boy and — even if I could — I’m not going to make this guy do […]
Two Dog People Get on an Airport Shuttle…
I was on a rental car shuttle bus, just making my way back home from a working weekend. The shuttle driver throws out a question to the two women on the shuttle (of which I am one). “So who is the dog show judge?” I don’t say a word. I’m wondering how he knows I’m into […]
Shut Up and Train
Shut Up and Train As I creep closer to my next Big Birthday, I’ve come to realize that just cutting a few calories and walking the dog isn’t going to do what I need (which is to reduce the jiggly bits). I reluctantly, recalcitrantly, grudgingly, and unenthusiastically started running. I’ve been running a little over two […]
The Trouble with an Untrained Dog
I have an untrained dog. This untrained dog is temporary, thankfully. We are her way-station for six days as she makes her way southward to her permanent home. She knows nothing except her name. I mean nothing. This is foreign territory for me. And because of this experience, I know that I will always train my […]
Dog Training Problem Solving: My Dog Won’t Listen if I Don’t Have Food (or the Clicker)
I hear it all the time: “My dog won’t listen if I don’t have food!” One of the first things I teach students in my Smart Dog University group dog training classes is to get the food out of their hands. I don’t want any of my students leaving as Smart Dog U class uttering […]
Ryan and Matt Do Clicker Expo Reno
Clicker Expo Reno What do Matt Damon and Ryan Gosling have in common (aside from being good looking celebrities, I mean)? They both showed up at ClickerExpo – Reno 2016. Matt Damon helped Susan Friedman drive home the point for one of her talks, while Ryan Gosling helped Hannah Branigan and I explain and motivate […]
5 Easy Steps to a Well Trained Husband
I was buzzing through town the other day when I spied a dog training franchise. The slogan on their truck said something like “No, we DON’T teach husbands or kids.” I had to laugh because here at Smart Dog University, that’s exactly what we DO! In addition to dogs, we teach husbands, kids, wives, neighbors, […]
Pay Attention to THIS to Teach Your Dog Faster & Easier
There’s a little secret that dog trainers know and use that only a few dog owners take advantage of. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s dead simple. This one thing can mean the difference between years of frustration and years of enjoyment with your dog. It requires no special knowledge, no advanced training, no equipment. […]
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