Ready, Set, Find It!
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc, www.dogsbehavingbetter.com Best-selling author of several excellent dog books (and ethologist) Patricia McConnell says, “Play is fun, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s just goofy or frivolous. Play is powerful stuff, and it has a profound influence on your relationship with your dog and your dog's relationships with others of the same species.” The game of Find It is not just an easy and exciting way to play with your dog. It also gives you a strong way to change your dog’s focus and behavior in challenging situations. A fun and familiar g ..read more
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Treating Your Dog Well: All Treats Are Not Created Equal 
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc, Easton In my last post, on the positive interrupt, I recommended not using dry biscuits. That prompted a loyal reader to suggest that I write about treats this month. I liked that idea since it gives me a chance to not only recommend some healthy, tasty treats, but also to dispel a few misconceptions about using them.  First, treats are paws-down, the fastest, most effective way to train. They make it easy to get a rapid series of repetitions, to build “muscle memory.”  Treats are also used to create pleasant associations with new things (class ..read more
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Politeness Works Better: Try the Positive Interrupt
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot Ttouch llc, Easton Even those who are completely on-board with adopting positive methods of training and handling their dog will ask, “But what am I supposed to do when I want him to stop doing something?” This usually comes up right after I’ve explained why I don’t like to say "No" or misuse the dog’s name to handle this situation. I’m talking about behaviors that are fine in moderation but can become excessive—let’s take barking at noises or people outside the house. It could also apply to barking at the fence, sniffing in the grass on a walk, licking yo ..read more
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Targeting: The Swiss Army Knife of Behaviors
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc, Easton The mother of all behaviors, as they say, is attention. If you can’t get your dog’s attention, you can’t expect to get the responses you want. But targeting is definitely the Swiss army knife of behaviors. When your dog can target, she has a tool with an amazing variety of terrifically useful functions. Yes, soon your dog will be able to uncork wine bottles and file her own nails! Well, almost. Just about everyone I work with seems baffled when I introduce targeting. But what is it good for? Then I get to demonstrate how quickly their do ..read more
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Puppy Training the SMART, Easy Way Install Many Good Habits to Prevent Bad Ones
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc If you just got a puppy and are stressing about all the typical problems you didn’t anticipate (or forgot about, like me), don’t despair. Like having a really cute but exhausting toddler, your life is consumed by potty training, tantrums, and trying to keep them from hurting themselves—and you. But there’s no need to resort to discipline, wait for training classes, or just hope the puppy will eventually “grow out of it.” There’s a lot you can do now to bring some quick relief—and more important, lay the foundation for a fantastic dog and a wonderf ..read more
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Why Professional Animal Trainers on high alert over the holidays?  STRESS! 
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
Guest blogger ... Debra Ekman of Your Dog’s Friend ​December is a stressful time for our furry friends AND our two-legged buddies. Baywater’s animal expert and blogger, TalbotTouch’s Lisa Benshoff shares an article on reducing pet and guest stress.  The key … educating humans!   While Debra focuses on dogs, this blog is definitely applicable to the human component for cat friendly homes!  As cat lovers know, cats expect us to read their minds and can appear (in fact, cats LOVE appearing) a bit standoffish.      You, Your Dog & Your Guests Will Give Thanks by Debra Ekman for Your Dog's F ..read more
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The Case for Positive Training: Best Behavior and Relationships
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc, Easton Confused about training methods? It’s no wonder, given the vast differences between the ways we grew up with; what we have seen on TV (“the dog whisperer” vs. Victoria Stilwell); and what we’ve learned in obedience classes, from books, and from amateurs and experts on the Internet, not to mention friends and relatives.  In case you think all trainers are on the same page, be aware that there is a huge divide between those who practice positive-reinforcement and those who are still training the military way, with commands, reprimands, and ..read more
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What To Do About Pulling:  Real Solutions You Haven't Tried Yet
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
​By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc Pulling is a very common complaint—and it comes from both ends of the leash. Yes, dogs would rather walk on a loose leash too! When pulling causes annoyance, frustration, pain, and fear of falling, “pully” dogs often get shorter and fewer walks. And then, inadequate exercise and exploration time can give rise to new behavior issues.  Many people (including some trainers) believe the answer is more physical control by jerking (“corrections”) and/or maintaining a tight leash. Some try to make their dog heel obediently and Watch Me.  After seven ye ..read more
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Lessons from a "less adoptable pet"
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
​Dear Readers, This month, I am taking a different approach for our blog. While we consider all animals at Baywater Animal Rescue to be very special, we have a unique and wonderful, loving adult English Bulldog mix who is deaf.  All who have met, cared for and played with this precious dog have been rewarded with tail wags, kisses, and ‘smiles’. Thena enjoyed time with a foster family, which allowed us an opportunity to learn more about her needs and abilities, such as how quickly she learned sign language and her preference for a home without other animals. The following is an interview with ..read more
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Mental Enrichment 101—Play with Your Food!
Baywater Animal Rescue
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4y ago
By Lisa Benshoff, CPDT-KA, Talbot TTouch llc, Easton Did you know that working a dog’s brain is as important as physical exercise—and has even greater pay-offs? Training is important (I would say essential), but that’s not the only way to exercise the little gray cells. Giving dogs a challenge that’s instinctive—working for their food—is not just amusing to watch, it keeps them busy, lets them engage safely with an object in a productive way, and helps them learn how to solve problems.  Don’t worry that this is somehow being cruel! Studies have demonstrated that dogs and many other species o ..read more
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