Area Resources For Braxton, MS Training Students & Visitors This is a list of resources near our physical Braxton, MS location to help students navigate the area and make the most of their trip out to our training facility! Yummy Restaurants Nearby Mo’s Seafood - Mendenhall, MS (can get food to-go.) Directions From Our Location Jerry’s Catfish House - Florence, MS (can get food to-go.) Directions From Our Location Berry’s Seafood - Florence, MS or Magee, MS (buffet, but can get food to-go.) Directions From Our Location to Florence Location Directions For Our Location to Magee ..read more

  Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA Photo Copyright (C) Lauren Tsao - Photo shows West Highland Terrier Sitting Just like any other professional, dog trainers need to have a solid plan in place in order to be successful. This means having a clear understanding of your goals, what you and your student need to do to achieve them, and how you will measure progress along the way. While every trainer's approach will be slightly different, there are some essential elements that should be included in every dog training plan. In this blog post, I'll share some tips on how to write an org ..read more

What is a High-Value Reinforcer in Dog Training and Why is it Important to Use One? Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA When it comes to training our furry friends, using high-value reinforcers can make all the difference. These reinforcers, which can come in the form of treats, toys, play, or even environmental reinforcers, are highly valuable to the dog and therefore, equal a bigger paycheck for them in their minds when they accomplish the target behavior. (Check out our big list of reinforcers if you need help thinking of possible reinforcers to try out!) On the other hand, extremely ..read more

Operant or Classical Conditioning In Dog Training: Is It Possible To Use Just One? Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA If you're new to the world of dog training, you may be wondering what operant conditioning and classical conditioning are, how they differ from one another, and if you can use them separately from one another. Both operant conditioning and classical conditioning are important elements of dog training, and it's important to understand the difference between the two in order to be the best trainer possible. Here's a brief overview of each type of conditioning, as well as a ..read more

  Scared For Life: Single-Event Learning In Dogs Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA Dogs are smarter than we give them credit for. They can experience something so impactful that it only takes a single time for them to understand that the experience is something to be avoided or scared of. This is called single-event learning (sometimes called a one-time learning event), and it's more common in dogs than you might think. If you have ever trained your dog, you know that usually, it would take many repetitions for your dog to understand the consequences of certain events or actions ..read more

  How to Prepare Your Aggressive Dog for Thanksgiving Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and give thanks for all that we have. For many of us, our dogs are part of our family and we want for them to be included in the holiday festivities. However, the increased activity level and the number of people in the home during Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for even the calmest of dogs. If your dog is aggressive or reactive, it is important to take some extra precautions to ensure that everyone has a safe a ..read more

  Aversive Dog Training Methods: The Fallout and Why It Matters Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA Dogs are trained using a variety of methods, some more effective than others. Aversive dog training methods (e.g. methods using primarily negative reinforcement and positive punishment) can actually do more harm than good. When training your dog, it is important to be aware of the consequences of using aversive training methods because the fallout from methods falling into that category can be difficult to reverse. They can also take you further away from achieving your dog training g ..read more

  Five Helpful Tips For Living With A Fearful Dog Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA It can be heartbreaking to see your dog cower in fear or tremble with anxiety. Maybe you just adopted a new dog and they aren’t as outgoing as you hoped. Or maybe your shy dog has always been a little more reserved than others. Regardless of the reason for your dog's fearfulness, there are things you can do to help ease their anxiety and make them feel more comfortable in their home environment. Here are five things you can do if you find yourself living with a fearful, shy, or anxious dog. 1. All ..read more

  How Old Does My Dog Need To Be To Start Training? Written by Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA Training a dog can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog when you are training with positive reinforcement-based methods. If you are using positive reinforcement-based methods, puppies can begin learning simple cues such as “Sit” and “Down” as soon as they can eat solid foods. However, basic obedience training is just the beginning. Dogs of all ages can learn new tricks and behaviors, despite what many people think. That saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, couldn’t be m ..read more

  How To Help A Fearful Dog Gain Confidence Written By Lauren Tsao, MS, CDBC, CPDT-KA If your dog is fearful, you may be wondering what you can do to help them feel more confident. Some dogs may be more fearful or hesitant than others, which can make training more challenging due to past experiences, social learning from other fearful dogs in the household, or even genetics. Luckily, there are positive reinforcement-based training methods and behavioral modification techniques, like desensitization and counter-conditioning that you can use to help your dog gain the confidence he or she ne ..read more