By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC When you share your home and your life with a dog, there are so many activities you enjoy together – going for walks is among them. It can be frustrating as the leash handler when your dog decides to plant his feet (or rear end) down and refuses... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC I got a call the other day from a dog owner requesting help for her dog. She could not understand. Her dog usually enjoyed the company of guests in their home. Her dog would solicit head rubs from unfamiliar people he saw on typical outings to parks where... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC Think about what it looks like when you want your pet to do something. How many times do you repeat the behavior cue? How do you let your dog know he just did what you want? Do you ask over and over? Do you have a dialogue when... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC- Pet Behavior Columnist Associative learning. What is it and how can understanding it help you to have a “better behaved” pet? All of us, including our pets, are constantly learning from our experience how we should or would feel, think or behave in certain situations. Associative learning simplified... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC-Pet Behavior Columnist You are on a very important Zoom call and your dog will not stop barking at your feet. Your doorbell rings and your dog begins barking, twirling and jumping on you as you go to open it. You are frustrated. You want to stop your dog's... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC-Pet Behavior Columnist Something to think about when it comes to dog training (or parrot training or training any other animals)…if you demand or beg for participation, it is not REALLY about cooperation. It is applying pressure, coercion, even force. You may notice more dog stress signals or avoidance.... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC-Pet Behavior Columnist I hear it all the time. My dog was FINE at the vet, FINE when on the grooming table, FINE in the midst of a busy event, FINE when kids were running and screaming…. Until one day, something happens. “Out of the blue,” the dog tries... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC-Pet Behavior Columnist I get the question all of the time… “How do I STOP my pet’s (unwanted) behavior?” Many times, when I ask follow up questions, I learn the question was asked because attempts at stopping the behavior have failed. Keep this in mind. If a behavior is... Continue Reading →
By Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC-Pet Behavior Columnist This month I’d like to talk about rules and expectations, how they affect our relationships and emotions, and ultimately our behavior. That is important to understand because it isn’t just about our relationship with other people, but with our pets as well. Imagine for a moment... Continue Reading →
