Colby's Canines

The (Dumb) Divide in Dog Training

I’ve touched on this before, and unfortunately I probably will need to again, but I’ve never talked about it head on like this. So buckle up. In the dog training world, a lot has changed in the last 100 years. In the old days, dogs were trained almost exclusively through pain, fear, intimidation, etc. TheseContinue reading “The (Dumb) Divide in Dog Training”

My Favorite Thing About People

I like people. Really, I do! I even love some of them. Some time in the last 10 years or so, people just started saying “I don’t like people”, usually followed by “that’s why I love dogs so much.” But those two things aren’t mutually exclusive. I know, liking both dogs and people is aContinue reading “My Favorite Thing About People”

Positive Reinforcement, Permissiveness, and the Power of Preserving Punishers!

When I began training, the only viewpoint I was exposed to was what is now commonly referred to as traditional training. This included leash “corrections”, “alpha rolls” or “dominance downs”, and a LOT of saying “NO”. Nowadays these things seem crazy, and sometimes even dangerous. But I try to keep in mind, when feeling extraContinue reading “Positive Reinforcement, Permissiveness, and the Power of Preserving Punishers!”

Wild and Wonderful

This past week was exactly what the title says. It was tough, awesome, stressful, rewarding, and an excellent learning opportunity! I am a better trainer because of the past week, and am much more aware of how far I’ve come, how far I’ve got left to go, and in what direction I want to stepContinue reading “Wild and Wonderful”

The Way To Fix Problem Behaviors!

When I approach a dog with a problem behavior, whether they’re my own or a client’s, I try to figure out what is motivating him to act in that way! From jumping on me (or guests), to barking nonstop, to peeing on the rug, what is his motivation? Sometimes it is helpful to know whatContinue reading “The Way To Fix Problem Behaviors!”

What type of trainer I am, and why.

It seems increasingly necessary, in every area of life, to belong to a tribe or group of some kind. Dog training is no exception. The fact that there are different ones sort of implies that one or some must be more correct than others, and that some must be wrong, right? Maybe. “Purely Positive” isContinue reading “What type of trainer I am, and why.”