Author Archives for Sydney

TOYtorial

A Lesson on the Finer Points of Toys Magic! I pull out ‘red ball’ and my border collie Fen is ‘in the game’. She is ready to work, play or ham it up. Whatever’s on the menu. Sure, dogs love to play. Dog’s love to hunt for things, forage, chase, catch and tug. This makes… View Article

7 Things You Might Not Know About Your Dog

Big Plans! New puppy, exciting times! You are now responsible for another creature with an entirely unique agenda that is much different from yours. Whether this is a new puppy, an adolescent or an older dog you are adopting; I’m sure you have some ideas concerning the behavior or your dog and what you want… View Article

Everyday Moves – Life Beyond The Classroom

The more I learn, grow and evolve in my field, the more I dislike the word ‘obedience’. It denotes subordination. Our dogs don’t owe us, if anything we owe them. I think a solid education taught without force and with plenty of positive reinforcement would be a great starting point. Lately I have been calling… View Article

Shut the Front Door!

Front door etiquette for your puppy is an important set of skills to teach early on in the game plan! And no I am not talking that malarkey about your dog having to go out the front door behind you! The doors and large windows in our homes can elicit excitement in a pup. There… View Article

Dogs will be Dogs

I have a challenge for you. For one day I want you to observe your dog, play with your dog, and work with your dog without judgment! I have a vivid childhood memory of being at my Grandparent’s place. We were celebrating a birthday for my younger sister in their beautiful back garden. My Sis… View Article

Walk This Way

Picture an ape swinging from the jungle canopy making her way from point A to point B. A pod of dolphins leaping skyward out of the water and then splashing back in again, a frog hopping or swimming through a pond. How each of these animals moves on the earth is different. Swimming, swinging, slithering,… View Article

Musings from a Recall Warrior

I live in a busy city with many things competing with me for my dog’s attention. I need to be on my game and engage my dog giving her good reason to check in with me. Enter The Recall Warrior. I practice calling my dog multiple times everyday. On the sidewalk, parks, in the house… View Article

The Art of Reward

It’s a hot, sunny, summer day at the beach. Not a cloud in the sky. The waves gently lap the shore, gulls call to each other. The sun is beating on you and you’re thirsty. You’re waiting for your friend. Finally you see them walking down the beach carrying a gift bag. “Sorry I’m late!”… View Article

Decoding Your Puppy Raising Priorities

Congratulations on your new puppy! This little critter is soaking up his environment and everything you have on offer to teach. Are you set with a good game plan for these coming early weeks? Have you done your homework? Are you prepared with your lessons and a good puppy coach? Do you have all the… View Article

Barking Basics

Puppies bark. The problem isn’t that they bark, the issues arise from how we deal with the barking. Learning some barking basics can help prevent or respond appropriately if you need to . Thankfully more breeders are starting to do some great early work with their pups. This means that the first time the puppy… View Article