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Dunbar Academy is now on YouTube

Announcing the Dunbar Academy YouTube channel

James Lu Dunbar  |  Wed, 06/13/2018 - 12:05

We're excited to announce that we've launched a new YouTube Channel!

It's going to feature videos of all three of the Dunbars dispensing top-notch dog training informaiton and entertainment! Our goal is to add at least one new video each week and so we've been doing A LOT of filming lately.

 
BamBam waits patiently in his crate away from the search area in Nose Work class

Why there is No Nose-to-Nose in Nose Work

Genie Tuttle CP...  |  Thu, 02/01/2018 - 13:24

Group dog training classes are always fun and entertaining in addition to being useful on several different levels. Watching other dog/owner teams work out some of the same issues you are facing is both comforting and educational.

 

 
Tags:  nose work crate enrichment Dog Genie

What To Do About Canine Flu: Canine Influenza Type A H3N2 & H3N8

Dr. Ian Dunbar  |  Wed, 01/31/2018 - 13:30

As you probably know, there is currently an outbreak of Dog Flu in the South Bay and more recently, a number of cases have cropped up in other areas around the Bay. All dog owners, including myself, are understandably concerned about what they can do to reduce the likelihood that their dogs will be infected. However, there is no need to panic. Although Canine Influenza, or dog flu, is extremely infectious, it usually causes only mild symptoms for a few days to a couple of weeks and the dogs normally make a full recovery despite treatment.

 
Tags:  canine flu dr. ian dunbar vet advice
Dogs having fun doing nose work

Playing with Nose Work

Genie Tuttle CP...  |  Wed, 12/27/2017 - 16:28

We all know that dogs have a superior sense of smell and that smell is arguably one of their strongest senses. Dogs love to read the world using their nose, that’s just how they roll. The activity/sport of nose work isn’t “work” at all for dogs, it’s the love of their life! As a fellow dog-lover you know as well as I do that dogs just want to have fun, so getting to play with their sense of smell is a win/win!

 

 
Tags:  #dogs #dogtraining #nosework #doggenie
Embedded thumbnail for Make Muzzle Wearing Fun!

Make Muzzle Wearing Fun!

Kelly Gorman Dunbar  |  Mon, 12/18/2017 - 15:05

Muzzles are useful tools in dog training and husbandry. Some people think they look scary and make a dog look mean. Many dogs don't enjoy wearing a muzzle because the only time they've ever had to wear one was when they're feeling stressed out, such as a the vet when injured or some other kind of emergeny or unpleasant situation. Teach your dog to enjoy wearing a muzzle, just in case, before you ever need one. Laz loves his muzzle because it means we are going to either train for his favorite sport, or play ball! 

 
Embedded thumbnail for When Can I Stop Rewarding My Dog?

When Can I Stop Rewarding My Dog?

Kelly Gorman Dunbar  |  Thu, 12/14/2017 - 13:51

“When I can I stop rewarding my dog for doing the correct behavior?” 

This is one of the top three questions I get from my students. Really, what these people are asking is either, “When can I stop training my dog?” or, “When can I start punishing my dog?” 

For some reason, people take offense when they think their dog is doing the “right” thing for a tangible reward, such as a paycheck, rather than for the intrinsic reward of obeying the master! 

 

Is Your Aggressive Dog Dangerous? Dr. Dunbar Says, Probably Not

James Lu Dunbar  |  Thu, 11/16/2017 - 16:06

This video clip was taken from the new online seminar by Dr. Ian Dunbar: Dog-Dog Reactivity, only available on the Dunbar Academy. Try your first month for just $1. 

Do you have an aggressive dog that barks, lunges, snaps, growls, or bites? If so, the next question to ask yourself is:

"Is my dog dangerous?"

 
Embedded thumbnail for Flirt Pole Fun!

Flirt Pole Fun!

Kelly Gorman Dunbar  |  Tue, 02/21/2017 - 17:04

One of my top tips for students to improve their dog’s training performance is to play interactive games. Play will enhance your relationship with your dog and the stronger your relationship, the better your training will go. 

 

 

How to Use Food Intelligently in Lure-Reward Dog Training

James Lu Dunbar  |  Fri, 12/16/2016 - 12:06

Based on Dr. Ian Dunbar’s lecture (of the same title). Only available on Dunbar Academy. Try your first month for just $1.

Food is extremely useful when training a dog …

Food is simply unmatched for classical conditioning and is incredibly useful as both lures and rewards when teaching basic manners. 

… Unless it becomes a bribe

 
Tags:  food reward lure behavior reinforcement
training goals require maps

Training Goals

Kelly Gorman Dunbar  |  Wed, 10/19/2016 - 16:20

In my last post I wrote about the training process and how it is so important to break every task you’d like a dog to learn into tiny segments in order to orchestrate many frequent, measurable, successful moments to build upon and link together to create an easily navigable staircase to your destination. 

With that in mind, today I’m thinking about goals. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t know both where you are today and where you’re headed. One must have a clear starting and end point in mind to properly draw up a functional map. 

 
Tags:  dog training

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