Tag Archives: dog training

Free Answers to Canine Behavior Questions Saturday, May 18th 1 – 3PM, Santa Monica College

On hand to answer questions and offer free advice regarding dog behavior and training is Santa Monica based canine behavior specialist, Dee Green of Balanced Dogs, who's been improving relationships between dogs & humans on the Westside since 1997. Green will be joining the team at the Bark Williams booth during the Vendor Fair. Look for her "Ask the Behaviorist" banner from 1 to 3 p.m.
Posted in Puppy Behavior, Puppy Training, Rescue Dog Behvior, Socialization, dog behavior, dog body language, fearful dogs | Also tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who’s Teaching Your Dog?

In 6 of the most formative weeks in this dog's life, the sitter by default taught the puppy to pull on the leash, refuse to cooperate when she's not getting her way, and jump on everyone she passes. These are behaviors that now have to be unlearned, because this sitter thinks puppies should be puppies (read: indulged)?
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Santa Monica Walking, on Such A Winter’s Day

If a dog refuses to go outside during inclement weather, runs away from the door, hides when it's time to go out, or freezes ("shuts down"), it's time to speak with a behavior professional. Continuing to push a puppy or adult dog to a state of extreme fright will often make it harder to do, and can negatively impact your relationship.
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Nuisance Barking at Neighbors: 1st Step – Manage the Environment

A reader in Mar Vista wrote: “What can I do about a 6 month old male puppy who barks at neighbors and others he sees from our backyard? He barks constantly when he’s outside, and nothing we’ve tried has worked. We’ve been hoping he’ll grow out of it.” Dogs rarely “grow out of” nuisance barking. [...]
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Love Means Never Having to Say “I Didn’t Know.”

A friend posted the following video on twitter this morning that I found so profoundly disturbing I decided to blog about it.  Writing the headline proved so challenging, it became the story. I’m so incredibly flabbergasted by this video, it’s hard to know where to start.  In order to share it here, I needed a title, [...]
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When July 4th Stopped Being Fun

The City of Santa Monica will have its annual fireworks extravaganza this weekend.  A few years ago they moved it from the ocean front to Santa Monica College’s Cosair Field, which happens to be about 3 blocks from my house.  The awe-inspiring colors dazzle and dance just above the treetops on my street, giving me [...]
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Drama on a Leash

Retractable leashes in and of themselves are obviously not the problem, but rather enable humans to make bad choices where dog behavior is concerned. I believe most people choose to be responsible dog guardians, when they know how to be.
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To Crate or Not to Crate: That is the Question

In my opinion, the benefit dogs experience from access to a crate greatly outweighs any negative association people might have with the concept.
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Open Door Policies for Your Pooch: The Art of Spatial Displacement

If you’re challenged with a canine that won’t wait at the door, a private consultation is an excellent way to understand this exercise and master your technique. In one or two sessions, I can show you exactly how to get your dog to learn to respect your authority, and listen to your instruction.
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Killing Dogs With Kindness

All dogs need training, and unbalanced dogs need consistent, compassionate pack leaders who will show them how to be calm, happy pack members. Take the time to teach your dog rules, boundaries, and limitations, as Cesar Millan puts it. You and your dog will be glad you did.
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