Monthly Archives: August 2013

6 Ways I Messed Up My Dog’s Targeting

Posted on August 30, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Hand targeting is usually suggested as a great behavior for new clicker trainers since it is easy to get and easy to define criteria for. I guess I didn’t read the brochure carefully enough because I messed up hand targeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Clicker, Cues, Dog training hints, Examples for Teachers, Positive Reinforcement, Training philosophy | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Shut Down Dogs, Part 1

Posted on August 23, 2013 by eileenanddogs

I recently wrote a post about the phrase “calm submissive” as promulgated by Cesar Millan. I said that the phrase (actually Cesar) was misguided and confused. Not to mention wrong. For Cesar Millan, “calm submissive” means, “I can do stuff … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog body language, Fear, Multiple dogs, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , | 63 Comments

But I Want to Use All the Tools in the Tool Box!

Posted on August 16, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Have you heard the one about the toolbox? This is the sixth in a series that details and rebuts fallacious arguments against force free training. Today’s erroneous argument is directly related to “But Every Dog is Different!” in that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Punishment, Punishment culture, Reinforcement, Training philosophy | Tagged , , , , , | 37 Comments

Calm Submissive

Posted on August 12, 2013 by eileenanddogs

According to the well known TV personality (I won’t call him a trainer) Cesar Millan, “calm submissive” is a very desirable state for your dog to be in. OK, I don’t even want to begin to address the word submissive. So … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog behavior, Fear, Human and dog misunderstandings, Stress Signals, Training philosophy | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

What You Reinforce is What You Get

Posted on August 5, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Bob Bailey said, “What you click is what you get.” There is a lot of wisdom in this simple remark. Among other things, it emphasizes to me that we don’t always realize exactly what we are marking and reinforcing, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Dog training hints, Fun, Reinforcement, Toys and Play | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

How Can She Possibly Be Eating?

Posted on August 1, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Over threshold. Have you heard the term? In dog (and other animal) training, “over threshold” is used to describe the point at which a dog undergoes physiological changes that comprise a state of stress. The state of being over threshold is … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog body language, Fear, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments