Dr Dunbar's iWoofs Podcasts

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2.11 - Punishment

Punishment is one of the most misunderstood elements of dog training.  There is certainly a place for punishment in dog training, but there is no reason it has to be painful or mean.  Successful punishment decreases the frequency of an undesirable behavior, and can be phased out as the dog learns.   The Dunbars explain how to tell your dog when it is misbehaving, without hurting or scaring it, which is likely to aggravate most behavior problems.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.10 - Reliability (Beyond the Cookie)

Good dog training goes through several important steps.  Using lures and rewards to teach a command is just the beginning.  A dog that sits on command while you’re alone in the living room and holding a cookie is not necessarily going to sit on command at a BBQ in the park, surrounded by playing children and plates of food.  First you must phase out your food lures & practice training with longer durations, greater distances and more distraction.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.09 - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

In dog training the concept of respect can be a dangerous thing. Too many owners expect their dogs to behave appropriately out of sheer respect. While that would be nice, it’s simply not the case, and it’s foolish and inhumane to expect that. If you want your dog to listen to you, first you must communicate what you want them to do, then you must motivate them to want to do it. If you do this in an enjoyable and engaging manner, not only will your dog respect you, they’ll adore you!

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.08 – Multiple Dog Households

Getting a dog is always a big decision and everyone in the household should be a part of the process. Of course, this includes any dogs that you already live with. You certainly don’t want to bring home a new dog without first checking that it will be a good fit for your household. The Dunbars explain the pleasures and pitfalls of living with more than one dog, and what to keep in mind when it comes to training and socialization.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.07 - Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a phrase that gets used a little too much in dog training. That’s not to say it doesn’t exist, but that some people are too eager to use it as a scapegoat and an excuse to put their dogs on drugs. Anxiety is a terrible thing for a dog, but it’s usually easy to fix with appropriate training. The Dunbars explain how to teach your dog to be comfortable spending time alone. Give your dog an acceptable activity to keep them busy while your gone. A few stuffed chewtoys will go a long way.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.06 – Who's The Boss?

One of the biggest mistakes people make in dog training is blaming their dog’s behavior problems on “leadership” or “dominance” instead of poor training. The Dunbars explain how dog hierarchies actually work, and why it doesn’t really matter when it comes to your relationship with your dog. You are a human, of course you’re in charge! Train your dog well and they’ll want to listen to your every word, even when they’re chasing a squirrel and you don’t have a food treat.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.05 – At the Dog Park

The dog park can be a scary place, especially if you are worried about your dog's socialization skills. The Dunbars discuss when to be worried about your dog being dangerous, and how safety is really all about off-leash control. The park can be an exciting place, so work your way up to it. Hang out next to the park, or go when it’s nearly empty. Keep your dog on-leash and tell it when it’s acting appropriately and when it’s not. Used correctly, the dog park can be the ultimate training tool!

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.04 – Finding a Good Dog Trainer

Finding a good dog trainer can be a difficult process. Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do to make sure that the trainer you find will be a good fit for you and your puppy. The Dunbars discuss what to look for in a good trainer, whether it’s for puppy classes, adult dog training, or individual behavior consultations. Most of all, make sure you use a dog-friendly trainer! There’s no reason why training can’t be fun for all involved.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.03 – Safety First

Some dog behavior problems can put your dog in jeopardy. These need to be addressed in order to ensure the safety of dogs and their owners. The Dunbars respond to listener questions and discuss the importance of highly reliable emergency commands and boundary training. With training for safety, where reliability is so important, the key is proofing the commands against all possible distractions.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

2.02 – Loo Logistics

Long-term and short-term confinement, indoor and outdoor doggy toilets, night shifts and long days, rewards and reprimands. When it comes to training your pup to use the loo, the devil is in the details. The Dunbars discuss housetraining specifics, including how to set your new puppy up for success from the very beginning.

 
iWoofs Seas:  Season 2

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