I am proud to announce that I am officially a NePoPo Gold certified trainer, having completed the rigorous Gold school hosted by Hans Verbruggen in Belgium. While I had already completed the Silver school and attended Hans’s seminar—establishing a cognitive understanding of the system—there is no substitute for practical application. Working day after day under […]
Officially a NePoPo® Gold Certified Trainer Read More »
You cannot comfort a dog out of anxiety. When you shield a nervous dog from every stressor, you are teaching them that the world is dangerous and avoidance is the only strategy. Here is the reality of why your dog is anxious, and the exact mechanics of how to fix the confidence deficit.
Anxious dogs, how to actually help your dog overcome its anxiety Read More »
The dog training world is locked in a familiar debate: force free versus balanced methods. If you’ve spent time reading this blog, you’ll know I don’t sit comfortably in either camp. My approach is pragmatic. I aim to use the minimal effective dose of pressure necessary to make learning possible, and then reinforce heavily. That
The Ethical Cost of Dogmatic dog training: When Ideology Fails the Dog Read More »
There is a lot of noise in the dog training world right now. On one side, the force-free community argues that we should avoid pressure and aversives entirely, relying instead on positive reinforcement to shape behavior. On the other, balanced trainers argue that fair corrections, used sparingly and skillfully, are sometimes necessary for clarity. Before
Tough Love, Clear Rules, and the Dogs Who Need Them Read More »
Education prevents abandonment. Supporting shelters means understanding high-drive breeds. Learn to meet your dog’s genetic needs in our upcoming workshop. Join the priority list for early-bird access.
Education is Prevention: Why I Support Irish Shelters Read More »
