I've finally decided to add a blog! Now, normally I'm firmly entrenched in the "Train, Don't Talk!" camp of dog training. I'm not a huge fan of sitting around and endlessly discussing the scientific theory of dog training -- although of course learning and behavioral science is CRUCIAL to being a good trainer -- but, at the end of the day, talking doesn't get the dog trained. Training gets the dog trained. A good trainer will do all the scientific and behavioral study on his/her own, and then use it to train -- not just talk about it!
That said, sometimes it's nice to get some space, reflect on training, and have some good discussions about dogs, what they learn, how they learn, how we can help them learn, and how WE can learn.
That said, I don't want ANY of you sitting around focusing on this blog, writing comments and watching the videos until AFTER you're gotten your training practice in for the day. I know how easy it is to get sucked into training websites -- reading the training theory, imagining how perfectly it will work with your dog, rehearsing the steps in your mind -- and suddenly the day's gone and you haven't actually worked with your dog. Don't do that!
Like any blog, this one will be a work in progress. (For example, it doesn't yet have a name. I thought of "Tails from the Training Trenches," but that kind of sounds like I'm training military dogs, don't you think?) I'd be pleased to get any and all feedback. So far, planned blog posts include some contests, some interviews, some posts where we get into various training concepts, some reviews of various dog-related products and services, and some brags from the dogs in my current training string.
Welcome to the new blog! I'm so happy to have you here!