The Modern Dog Trainer Blog
IAABC Animal Behavior Conference 2015, Day 1
Due to the generosity of IAABC President Michael Shikashio, The Modern Dog Trainer was able to send a writer to the Animal Behavior Conference in Chicago, IL. On April 18th and 19th, the IAABC (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants) held a...
How To Start A Dogs and Babies Program
It can be daunting to coach others how to achieve a smooth transition for the dog in the house to a home with a baby, especially if you haven’t personally experienced it. It is more than encouraging the owner to bring home the baby blanket from the hospital for the...
8 Topics To Include In Your ‘Preparing Dog For Baby’ Seminar
One of the most important services you can provide as a dog trainer is helping parents to prepare their dogs for the upcoming baby. Parents-to-be are nervous for what to expect for their own life, but add in their dog, and they are nervous for how their dog will also...
3 Reasons To Use BAT With Reactive Dogs
This is part 2 of a 3-part series on Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT), created by Grisha Stewart. Part 1 can be read here. In the first part you learned about the basics of BAT and how a "perfect" session should look. In part 2, you will learn why it is so...
The Importance Of Feedback For Fido
Immediate, in the moment feedback is the key to Fido skipping a grade or two in the school of advanced good-behavior. In fact, dogs respond just the same to current feedback as us humans. Positive and current feedback--that is. So why don’t’ we use it all of the time?...
Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) – What Is It?
As a modern dog trainer, you most likely enjoy learning about new techniques, or new twists on more classic techniques. If you have not yet heard of Behavior Adjustment Training (BAT) by Grisha Stewart, you are in for a treat. This will be the first of a three-part...
Guest Post: How to Build a Successful Dog Training Business
All dog trainers want to build a healthy and successful dog training business. But as your dog training business grows, so does the stress of managing your expanding client list, schedule, and income stream. The act of putting best practices in place to help you...
How Dog Trainers Go Paperless: Introducing The Boogie Board Sync 9.7
Boogie Board Sync 9.7 Can Help You Go Paperless As a dog trainer, there are a lot of things we will need to take notes for, whether it is a new idea for a class or notes for each of our clients. Dog trainers can go through a lot of paper. A lot of modern dog trainers...
How To Socialize Puppies Before Getting Them Fully Vaccinated
Early Socialization and Vaccination: Risk-Free Puppy Socialization One of the most effective (and easiest ways) to prevent a huge slew of behavioral problems in dogs is to socialize them early. By “early socialization”, I do mean before the pup may have had all of...
5 Tools To Aid Loose Leash Walking
As discussed in a previous article, helping clients teach their dogs to walk nicely on a leash can be a struggle. But there are some tools available that can help your clients manage their dogs and make walks more pleasant while assisting with loose leash walking....
9 Ways To Deal With Jealous Clients In Your Dog Training Class
I am sure that we have all encountered at least one client, whose green-eyed monster has made an appearance when another client’s dog performed exceptionally well in class. What are the signs and how do we handle the situation? Jealousy may be conveyed by: Smirking or...
5 Things Missing From Your Training Bag
What's in your training bag? You may be missing some helpful tools! Are you having difficulty doing set-ups that allow the dog to succeed? These items are terrific for creating intermediate steps while training impulse control and desensitizing for reactivity. 1. An...
Interview with CCPDT Board Member Nicole Larocco-Skeehan
We reached out to Nicole Larocco-Skeehan, CPDT-KA, to discover more about her success in the dog training world. She is the on that board of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and runs her own company in Philadelphia called Philly Unleashed. She...
5 Great Games To Play In Your Obedience Class
Fun Games To Play In Obedience Class With Your Clients Obedience class can become repetitive and boring pretty quickly for our students if we do not make it fun for them. Games are a great way to get both the dog and the owners invested in training without making it...
How To Become A Therapy Dog Trainer
Therapy dogs are a growing population and there is a huge need for trainers and training classes to lead all those new volunteers. These are seven tips to become a therapy dog trainer. Experience Therapy dog trainers should have experience working a therapy dog in...
Top 7 High Value Training Treats
As a modern dog trainer, you know the importance of figuring out each individual dog’s likes/dislikes when it comes to training treats. However, there are some foods/treats that are almost always considered high value in the minds (or mouths?) of dogs
7 Things That Are Common Sense For Dog Trainers But Not Dog Owners
As a modern dog trainer, you have invested a lot of time and energy into becoming the best, most educated trainer you can be. Throughout this journey, many basic ideas were hammered into your head time and again, until they just became basic knowledge....
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Dog Trainers
Here are 10 things you didn't know about dog trainers: 1. Dog trainers love dogs – sometimes their humans not so much. 2. Dog trainers don’t like being asked at parties what to do about your dog eating his own poop (or insert any dog training dilemma “here”) any more...
3 Important Things To Include In Your First Email To A Client
Smart Emails Leave A Lasting Impression When connecting with a new potential client, it’s important to leave the best impression possible. Your first email to a client may be the only chance you get to deliver your message. Start off with a relevant subject line and...
Product Review – Ruffwear Haul Bag
A Review Of The Ruffwear Haul Bag Behind every great dog trainer is a great training bag. Between treats, clickers, toys, notepads, treat pouches, harnesses, and leashes, it can be difficult finding an appropriately sized bag that isn't super bulky and half the size...
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