Learning about modern dog training methods based on behavioural science changed the way we work with our dogs.  Perhaps the most important change was in how we raise our dogs from puppies.  It seems that this way of training not only teaches them manne...

Dogs are wonderfully forgiving creatures. Past wrongs seem to be quickly forgotten; after an angry moment, relationships are almost instantly restored. I think that we humans have a great deal to learn from dogs regarding forgiveness and moving on.

Any good dog trainer knows that the consequences of a dog's actions will decide whether he wants to try to do a behaviour again or not.  But there may be more to training your dog than rewards or punishments.

Back in 2011, I noticed just how many dog trainers were claiming to offer “balanced dog training.” Remarkably that number only seems to have increased as time when on.  What I find most surprising is that these "balanced" dog trainers are just adding a...

What do you do when your puppy becomes a teenager? Our Belgian Shepherd Rizzo was a case study in dealing with an adolescent dog maturing out of puppy and into grown up.  It can take some patience and planning to deal with puppy shenanigans and to keep...

A Canine Nation Podcast

Markers have become an important part of our everyday communication with our dogs. They help our dogs learn what behaviours are working, which aren't, and they can understand us better. Markers provide a consistent "language" that helps us communicat...

Modern dog trainers like to talk about the science of behaviour and training. But sometimes concepts and how we apply them can get jumbled up when talking about them with dog owners or even other trainers. Getting the science right is important.

Some people take their dogs with them everywhere they go. Some people really shouldn't take their dogs with them. Some people take their dogs with them to places and they get afraid and bite people. And then they wonder why.

Wouldn't it be great if you could get a dog with all the outgoing affection of a Golden Retriever, the intensity of a Border Collie, the protection skills of a Doberman, and the lapdog size and weight of a Pomeranian? Well, yes. And no.