Monthly Archives: November 2013

Sharing the Blog

Posted on November 29, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Every once in a while someone asks me if it’s OK to share one of my posts or videos, or perhaps link to them from their webpage. How polite of them to ask! And, um, the answer is YES! If you … Continue reading →

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Posted in Negative Reinforcement, News, Positive Reinforcement | 8 Comments

Summer Learns An Alternative to Being the Fun Police

Posted on November 26, 2013 by eileenanddogs

I have mentioned before that my dog Summer is reactive. Reactive has come to refer to a dog who reacts strongly (and inappropriately in the human’s view), usually with an aggressive display, to some specific triggers. Some of Summer’s triggers are … Continue reading →

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Posted in Aggression, Arousal, Cues, Desensitization and Counterconditioning, Multiple dogs, Positive Reinforcement, Reactivity, Reinforcement | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Shut Down Dogs (Part 2)

Posted on November 21, 2013 by eileenanddogs

This is Part 2 of a two-part series. In Shut Down Dogs, Part 1 I talked about the fact that people appear to believe and say that a shut down dog is relaxed or calm since it is motionless. In … Continue reading →

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Posted in Dog body language, Fear, Punishment, Shock Collars, Stress Signals | Tagged , , , , | 58 Comments

But if You Use Negative Reinforcement Aren’t You Also Using Positive Punishment?

Posted on November 19, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Surprisingly, no. Not necessarily. You could actually get my answer to this question by reading this other post: Only If The Behavior Decreases!  But of course I’m writing some more anyway. This issue was a big stumbling block for me when … Continue reading →

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Posted in Behavior Science, Negative Reinforcement, Positive Reinforcement, Punishment, Reinforcement, Terminology | Tagged | 20 Comments

How to Give Your Dog a Pill: Several Methods

Posted on November 13, 2013 by eileenanddogs

Emergency Method: If you are currently in a struggle trying to administer a pill to a reluctant dog, try the multiple meatball method. The other techniques in this blog are specialized and probably won’t help in an emergency situation. Link … Continue reading →

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Posted in Dog Training, Handling and Husbandry, Management, Treats | Tagged , | 17 Comments

Successful Desensitization and Counterconditioning

Posted on November 10, 2013 by eileenanddogs

I have an elliptical training machine in my back room. I’ve had it for three years. Zani loves that room because that’s where the kibble, some human food, and other interesting things are stored. But when I get on the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Classical conditioning, Desensitization and Counterconditioning, Fear, Terminology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Haters

Posted on November 6, 2013 by eileenanddogs

We interrupt this dog blog for a rant about rhetoric and civil discourse.  Here is why I plan never to call anyone a “hater” or refer to them as such. History: Haters Gonna Hate It’s a good bet that the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Punishment culture, Terminology, Training philosophy | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments