The 2 Most Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make (and How to Fix Them)

There are a couple of mistakes that dog owners frequently make which are simple to fix and have the potential to dramatically improve a dog's behavior.

Resolving Dog-Dog Reactivity

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Dominance and Dogs: Who is the Boss?

Dogs often act as connectors in society.

All Puppies Deserve a FIRST Chance — an EDUCATION!

Owners and their new puppies are still getting the short end of the stick.

New Free Course – Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems

We've just published a new FREE course on Dunbar Academy called Six Simple Steps to Solve Your Dog's Behavior Problems

Help Every Puppy Get the Education They Deserve

Please, please, PLEASE help us make sure every new puppy gets the education they desperately need and deserve this holiday season. 
Ian Dunbar
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The Honesty of Dog Owners

Rachel Friedman  |  Fri, 06/12/2009 - 07:53

I don't know if dogs are sending telepathic ethical or moral messages to us when we sleep or if it's just their joy of living in the moment, even if that moment is fraught with naughty behaviors, but I just have to say that dog owners are overall the most honest group of people I know.

Dog people come from all walks of life with varying family dynamics and sizes, at different life stages, from all cultures, ages, genders, number of dogs and sizes or breed/breed type. From my experience, the clients I have known over the past 10+ years of carving out a rich career in all things dog, I have never known a group that reminds me when I have forgotten to charge their credit card or returned things I forgot I let them borrow. Or just just more decent, more responsible, more mentshy.

 

Being in Denial About Your Dog

Drayton Michaels  |  Thu, 06/11/2009 - 14:35

Pondering this thought I came to the realization that this can go many many ways.
The unique aspect of owning a dog is that it is a conduit to the truth. The agenda of the dog is one that is unfettered with unnecessary desires, unless we're talking about dogs who over eat! However even there you'd find something more honest than gluttony.
I would be willing to wager that even dogs that appear gluttonous are somehow driven by a biological need to do it, or something associated with not getting enough food at some point.

As we progress in the humane dog behavior sciences we're finding more and more that dogs are at the mercy of our behaviors, our actions, inactions and our understanding of them.
The denial aspect of human behavior is prickly patch in deed. It can be disastrous or funny. The same can be said of our relationship with our dogs.
 

 

The Dog Training Ireland Internship - Our Interns

Tara Choules  |  Tue, 06/09/2009 - 09:25

We have an Internship running at Dog Training Ireland. We help those who are studying in the area of canine training and behaviour to gain practical experience handling and working with dogs. It is a voluntary position so commitment is required but we believe there is no better way to learn about dogs and training than the hand son approach!

The Interns work in the daycare, training classes and can sit in on private training sessions. We also ask them to get involved with various tasks and appreciate their creative input and ideas in all areas. We welcome them into the team and include them in everything from discussions on poop consistency to organising training demonstrations at fun days and competitions!

This current group of Interns are:

Joe Kelly
Emma Heely
Edel O'Meara
Nadine Fiebich
Shaun Quinn
Izaskun Arrietta
Lisa Jones
Andy Harold

 

Sleeping with Dogs?

Jennifer Merritt  |  Tue, 06/09/2009 - 08:43

I know how much people like to sleep with their dogs. The cuddling and the closeness of your canine companions can be especially comforting while you sleep. Many years ago, I enjoyed my dog Elvis sleeping at the bottom of my bed, until my husband moved into my life.

 
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K9 Nose Work continues to grow….

Jill Marie O Brien  |  Mon, 06/08/2009 - 18:09

Well, another successful K9 Nose Work trial has come and gone. With each event I work on I am amazed by the people and dogs that are participating. Unlike so many other events nose work is an open field. Anyone can shine at any time. As with many other dog sports, there isn’t any one breed that the rest of the competitors dread competing against. Border collies, Golden Retrievers and even shepherds aren’t necessarily a shoe in.

 
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Is It A Bribe & A Lure?

Kelly Gorman Dunbar  |  Mon, 06/08/2009 - 08:02

Some people still don't get it.

Bribes and lures are not the same thing. Not the same thing! Bribing is not a training method, but a weak management strategy and one I would generally not recommend because it can really become a crutch, and just as likely, the part of the antecedent cue of the training scenario.

 
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Distance Sits in Action

Dr. Dunbar demonstrates the four steps to training your dog to sit a distance

 
Training:  Distance Postion Changes Ultra Super Sit
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Distance Sits Explained

Training your dog to sit at a distance is supremely useful: both a time-saver and a life-saver. Dr. Dunbar explains the four simple steps you should use to teach your dog to sit at a distance.

 
Training:  Distance Postion Changes Ultra Super Sit
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Food Aggression

Michelle Douglas  |  Tue, 06/02/2009 - 11:33

This is in response to a comment asking for suggestions on how to deal with food aggression. The original question was regarding a dog who would snarl over his food bowl and snap at his owners if they approached. He was not walked and had never had any formal training.

For food-guarders, I generally put them on some version of a ‘Nothing in Life is Free’ program, with hand-feeding as the major component. Simply teaching the owners how to teach some basic cues and adding an exercise routine may make a world of difference! While each case is different, some general recommendations for food guarding include:

1) The owners need to teach (at least): eye contact, come, sit and lie down. I would also suggest targeting (touch hand with nose OR ‘paw’) and go-to-your-place.

 

Being Honest About Our Dogs

Laurie C Willia...  |  Tue, 06/02/2009 - 02:09

My close friends and I have an agreement, and I'm talking the pinky swear, Ya Ya sisterhood, Thelma and Louise type of pact that's meant to be taken very seriously. We've pledged to keep each other honest about our dogs' behavior and our relationships with them by immediately blowing the whistle when either of us attempts to make excuses for, fails to acknowledge, or attempts to overlook inappropriate behavior (on either our dog's or our part). We've promised to be each other's system of checks and balances, which everyone needs, because when we're in denial about our dog's behavior, we become enablers and the behavior will never improve. Dog trainers in particular, serve as that voice of reason for our students and clients, so it's very important that we have someone to serve in that capacity for us.

 

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