Recent Blog Posts
Sometimes Behavior Change Happens Just by Letting it Go
Very often when we have a training problem in front of us, we want to address it directly. That makes sense, right? I see this problem, and I want to address it now. We put pressure on ourselves to “fix” the issue, and in turn, we put pressure on our dogs
Knowing Who Your Puppy Is
If I could go back in time and change anything about how I raised each one of my puppies (and believe me, there are plenty of things I would change!) I would make sure my primary focus was on understanding, respecting, and embracing who they are. That’s why I’m writing this, so that you can learn from my mistakes. 🙂
Puppy Heartbreak
When we snuggle our new puppy for the first time. When we make that initial connection with coos and wiggles. When we anticipate all the adventures to come. We don’t think about the last time.
Why I Don’t Teach Sit and What I Teach Instead
I’ve spent 20 years watching people cue their dogs to sit. Cue them at the vet, cue them out on walks, cue them before giving them a treat or their meal or affection. The humans will nag them and repeat the cue if it doesn’t happen. Stick a treat in front of their nose. Move closer to them. Do what they can to get their dog to sit.
But over time, with compassion at the forefront of how I raise my dogs, I have realized that a sit isn’t necessary.
The Power of Patterns: Helping Our Dogs Feel More Comfortable
The core of the Control Unleashed program is the use of patterns to help our dogs feel more comfortable in our crazy world. Patterns allow a dog to use voluntary behaviors to initiate a simple, repetitive chain that creates a predictable pattern. This will help to normalize the environment and allow the dog to process information from the safety of the pattern.
How Control Unleashed Helped Me Build a Better Recall
If you could choose only one activity to enjoy with your dog for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My answer – I wouldn’t think twice before choosing hiking with my dogs off-leash! And had someone asked me this question 20 years ago when I got my first dog as an adult, I would have answered the exact same way.
Over any dog sport, competition, or activity, there’s nothing I’d rather do with my dogs than to go for a long, off-leash walk.
Pet Pain Awareness Month
This month is pet pain awareness month and though I’m not one to recognize such things, this one hits home for me. So grab your cup of coffee, tea, or glass of wine and get comfortable, because I have some thoughts to share.
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Check out the events page for the latest webinars and events Kim has scheduled.