Category Archives: Cues

A Secret for Training Two Dogs

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

I think this is as close as I’ll ever come to a “how-to” blog. Here is my usual disclaimer: I am not a professional trainer and I have trained only my own dogs. But there is a secret to training … Continue reading →

Posted in Clicker, Cues, Dog training hints, Multiple dogs, Reinforcement | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Training Levels: Making it My Own

Posted on February 22, 2013 by

One of the very cool things about Sue Ailsby’s Training Levels is that they are extremely structured but also completely individualizable. The Levels provide a method of learning to communicate with your dog and teach her concepts, in the guise … Continue reading →

Posted in Arousal, Cues, Dog training hints | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Safety Behaviors: Down at a Distance and Recalls

Posted on January 28, 2013 by

These behaviors may save a dog’s life someday. Today I practiced two of our three main safety behaviors: coming when called, and dropping and staying at a distance. We left Zen, the third, for another day. Down on a hand … Continue reading →

Posted in Cues, Dog training hints, Reinforcement, Treats | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

“Errorless” Learning

Posted on January 21, 2013 by

Addendum, 2/9/13. Please be aware that there are some historical inaccuracies in this post, mostly related to the origin of the method and term Errorless Learning. The mistakes affect some of my conclusions as well. Please read Errorless Learning II … Continue reading →

Posted in Cues, Discrimination, Dog training hints, Operant conditioning, Terminology, Training philosophy | Tagged , , , , | 19 Comments

Get Out of My Face! Teaching an Incompatible Behavior

Posted on January 5, 2013 by

Ever since she arrived at my home at the age of 10 weeks, Clara has been a challenge. One of her more problematic behaviors was her mugging of my face whenever it got within range. It happened all the time. … Continue reading →

Posted in Arousal, Cues, Dog body language, Examples for Teachers, Human and dog misunderstandings, Premack Principle | Tagged , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Zen Generalization: Hole in the Fence

Posted on December 27, 2012 by

Sue Ailsby points out the Zen is one behavior that dogs tend to generalize well: Leave It for all manner of toddler Zen situations…; Leave It nicely gets my dogs out of the front hall when we have visitors; Leave … Continue reading →

Posted in Cues, Generalization, Zen/Leave it | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Replacing a Poisoned Cue

Posted on December 10, 2012 by

Today I’m sharing a hard-won victory and an improvement in my dog’s quality of life. Summer is my crossover dog, and unfortunately carries some baggage from that. We took three levels of obedience courses at a traditional dog club. Although … Continue reading →

Posted in Classical conditioning, Cues, Dog training hints | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments