Author Archives: eileenanddogs

About eileenanddogs

Passionate amateur dog trainer and writer. Eileen Anderson on Google+

Let’s Talk about Using Aversives in Training. I’ll Go First!

Posted on June 11, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Today’s post is about being  thoughtful about the use of aversives. I write about that frequently, so how about if I describe what I mean by “thoughtful”? I am going to present a description of an aversive method I used to use. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior analysis, Escape/Avoidance, Human body language, Negative Reinforcement, Punishment, Terminology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Is That “Smiling” Dog Happy?

Posted on May 30, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Maybe, but maybe not! We humans tend to get warm and fuzzy feelings when we see dogs “smile.” It’s true that some dogs’ mouths open in a cute smile when they are relaxed and happy. But a dog with his mouth … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog body language, Human and dog misunderstandings, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

CARE for Reactive Dogs

Posted on May 25, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Wow! My friend Jennifer Titus has created a wonderful thing. Website: CARE for Reactive Dogs FaceBook Page: CARE for Reactive Dogs on FaceBook CARE is an educational website that provides, free of charge, solid gold information on the protocols of desensitization/counterconditioning and … Continue reading →

Posted in Classical conditioning, Desensitization and Counterconditioning, Dog training hints, Fear, Reactivity, Training philosophy | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How Did The Aversive Get There? A Call for Honesty

Posted on May 17, 2014 by eileenanddogs

I am mystified by one particular argument of those who use protocols for fearful or reactive dogs other than desensitization/counterconditioning (DS/CC). These other protocols often use negative reinforcement; if not that, then sometimes desensitization without counterconditioning; sometimes extinction; sometimes habituation. People … Continue reading →

Posted in Desensitization and Counterconditioning, Escape/Avoidance, Extinction, Fear, Negative Reinforcement, Terminology | Tagged , , , , | 48 Comments

The Girl with the Paper Hat (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on May 9, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Once upon a time there was a girl who decided to teach her dog some tricks. She figured out that if she gave her dog something he liked after he did something she liked, he was liable to do the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cues, Dog training hints, Operant conditioning, Positive Reinforcement | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Just a Trick?

Posted on May 3, 2014 by eileenanddogs

“Crossing over” is a phrase dog trainers use to refer to the act of giving up training that uses aversives and changing over to training that uses principally positive reinforcement: becoming a Humane Hierarchy trainer, a force-free trainer, or a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog training hints, Fun, Handling and Husbandry, Toys and Play, Training philosophy, Tricks | Tagged , , , , , | 32 Comments

It’s Not Painful. It’s Not Scary. It Just Gets the Dog’s Attention!

Posted on April 28, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Some dog trainers who use tools such as shock, prong, or slip collars, or startle the dog with thrown objects or loud noises, claim that these things are done only to “get the dog’s attention.” They may further insist that the dog … Continue reading →

Posted in Cues, Human and dog misunderstandings, Operant conditioning, Punishment culture, Reinforcement, Terminology | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

“Respect” Is SO Last Year

Posted on April 13, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Shhh, don’t tell anyone!! I don’t know for sure, but I kind of think my dogs don’t “respect” me. But that’s OK.  Dogs probably don’t do “respect” anyway. It’s a human concept, and it depends on human cognition and social mores. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Dog training hints, Human and dog misunderstandings, Multiple dogs, Positive Reinforcement, Toys and Play, Treats | Tagged , , | 47 Comments

Bark Busters: Promoting Facts or Myths?

Posted on April 7, 2014 by eileenanddogs

A friend recently shared a flyer from Bark Busters, a dog training franchise business. It is called “Barking: The Facts” and can be seen at this link. (This is a special link to avoid raising their incoming click stats and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Human and dog misunderstandings, Punishment, Punishment culture, Reactivity, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , , , , | 89 Comments

What Happened to Summer’s Thunderstorm Phobia?

Posted on April 3, 2014 by eileenanddogs

Is it weird to write a post saying that something really shouldn’t have worked, but look, it kind of did? Is it irresponsible even? I keep pondering why I feel the need to explain all the strikes I had against me … Continue reading →

Posted in Classical conditioning, Desensitization and Counterconditioning, Fear, Stress Signals | Tagged , , | 7 Comments