The Canine Paradigm

Sorting through life’s chaos is akin to training an unpredictable dog; both require mastery over the when, why, and how. When: Just as we sort our life decisions at opportune moments, we must also discern when to guide our dogs. Proper timing in both ensures success. Why: Understanding our motivations and those of our dogs is key. Is your dog’s barking due to anxiety, boredom, or healt...

Glenn, Pat, and Cameron Ford came together to take a hard look at the existing ‘system’ that governs many dog training practices. This meeting ignited an important discussion, probing into long-standing practices that have become ubiquitous within the industry. We raised concerns over the rigid thinking that is prevalent in the field. This often manifests as a cult-like dedication to a...

Dog training is a blend of art and science, utilising various techniques to shape desired behaviours. One such method is negative reinforcement, encapsulated nicely in the phrase, “pressure motivates, release educates.” Negative reinforcement is often misunderstood. It doesn’t involve harm or punishment but utilises slight discomfort to stimulate behaviour change. In dog training...

Nothing beats a hearty chat with Jason Firmin, the main man at Eizweck Dogquip, and his son Ryan, especially after their whirlwind European tour. Now, this wasn’t your typical sightseeing trip. Nope, the Firmins had a mission – to immerse Ryan into the exciting world of dog sports decoy. Europe’s got some seriously talented decoys, and it was in this lively backdrop that Ryan rec...

In Australia, introducing a four-legged friend to the work site has unlocked a unique charm and improved productivity. In an environment often characterized by stress and deadlines, a tail-wagging canine offers a magical and unanticipated boost. The presence of a dog at a work site serves as a powerful stress reliever. Their capacity to provide unconditional love, coupled with their humorous antic...

“Punished by Rewards” by Alfie Kohn delves into the concept of intrinsic motivation, suggesting that rewards can actually be counter-productive, undermining our inherent drive to learn and explore. While primarily focused on humans, this compelling theory has implications for dog training. Traditionally, reward-based training has been a staple in teaching our canine companions. But sho...

In this fascinating episode, we delve deeper into the dynamic world of dog clubs, sharing our rich experiences that encompass managing, operating, and engaging with the colourful tapestry of individuals who breathe life into these clubs. We bring to light both the inspiring stories of those who make the journey truly rewarding, as well as the challenging experiences that test our resilience and pa...

Bull breeds, children and best case versus Armageddon are once again the topics of discussion that came from surveys within our on-line discussion group. Bull breeds are well-known for their strength, stamina, and loyalty, but their reputation often suffers due to negative portrayals in the media. However, in a loving environment, breeds like the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the American Pit Bul...

Dog training is a journey, underscored by significant transitions through distinct learning phases, each showcasing your dog’s growth and understanding. Initially, in the Introduction and teaching phase, your dog doesn’t understand the expected behaviour. However, as they begin to recognise the task or command, they naturally transition into the Learning and Association phase. This shi...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Chad Mackin, we delve deeper into the nuances of dog training methodologies and the role of language in shaping the industry’s future. We discuss the significance of continued education for dog trainers and ways to stay informed and up-to-date in this ever-evolving field, where language plays a crucial part. Chad shares his experiences with various dog trai...

In our latest episode, we welcome back Chad Mackin to join us for an insightful discussion on the dog training industry. The conversation focused on Chad’s experiences, concerns, and aspirations for the world of dog training, emphasising the importance of better language in the industry. Chad expressed his concerns about the widespread issue of substandard dog training practices being shared...

Have you ever talked to your pets as if they were human beings? If you have, you might have been accused of being anthropomorphic. Anthropomorphism is the attribution of human characteristics, emotions, and behaviours to non-human entities such as animals, objects, or even natural phenomena. Recently, Pat asked Glenn if he was being anthropomorphic when he was observing behaviours from his dogs, R...

When it comes to dogs participating in bite sports, developing their grip strength and technique is a crucial aspect of their training. Proper grip development through good techniques in tug and rag work can help improve a dog’s performance, prevent injuries, and increase their confidence and drive. In bite sports, such as PSA, Schutzhund, IPO, and French Ring, dogs are trained to bite and h...

we had the pleasure of hosting Luke and Panos from the “Life with Your Dog” podcast. They joined us to discuss Joel Turner’s open and closed loop training system, as well as other dog training philosophies. The conversation was both insightful and engaging. We delved deep into the open and closed loop training system. By using the open and closed loop training system, the Shot IQ...

In this episode, we explore the topic of seeing your dog in a new light after they display unexpected aggressive or concerning behaviour. As dog owners, we often assume that we know our pets inside out and understand their behaviour patterns. However, sometimes our dogs can surprise us and exhibit behaviour that we don’t expect or fully understand. When a dog displays aggressive behaviour, i...

Dog owners often unwittingly trigger certain behaviours in their pets, without realising the implications of their actions. While the owners may not understand what they did, the dog’s perception of the situation is entirely different. Due to the data it has collected, the dog’s brain sees this as a cue to run a particular program. This phenomenon is not uncommon, and it’s a resu...

As much as we all love our canine companions, sometimes behavioural issues arise that can make life with them difficult and even dangerous. In some cases, these issues can be so severe that they pose a threat to not only the safety of others but to the dog itself. In such situations, the difficult decision to consider euthanasia may arise. It’s important to note that behavioural euthanasia s...

With over two decades of experience in the media industry, Lara Shannon has become a household name. Reaching millions of people each year through her education work, books, and TV shows, Lara has helped improve the lives of companion animals. As a certified dog trainer and pet food nutrition specialist, Lara has worked with high-profile animal welfare and conservation organizations such as the Wo...

Dogs may develop the behaviour of barking to biting when they feel frustrated and their drives are not properly addressed. This behaviour can have various underlying causes, but it is often associated with fear or frustration. For instance, if a dog is barking at a person or another animal and feels unheard or misunderstood, it may resort to biting to communicate its message. Socialising the dog a...

Ambition is a powerful motivator and can drive us to achieve great things. However, when it comes to dog training, it is important to not let your ambitions get mixed up with your capabilities, especially when working with aggressive dogs. Working with aggressive dogs can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and mindset, it is possible to help these dogs overcome their behaviour issues...

In this episode, we were thrilled to offer more in-depth responses to the queries of our esteemed audience members, who participated in the TCP discussion group and made their voices heard. One of our audience members, George Nicholas, posed a thought-provoking question regarding the reliability of clients when it comes to using E-collars, even after being trained on their usage. Additionally, Tra...

As a dog trainer, you have a crucial role in helping dogs and their owners resolve behaviour issues. To be successful, it is vital to have answers to life’s questions, particularly when it comes to markers, cues, and primary reinforcer’s. First, you need to understand what the dog’s behaviour problem is. Is the dog aggressive, destructive, or fearful? Once you have identified the...

A mentor can change your life by providing guidance, advice, and support. They can help you identify and set goals, develop new skills, and navigate challenges and obstacles. They can also serve as a role model and provide valuable perspective and insight. Additionally, a mentor can help you build a professional network and open doors to new opportunities. Mentors can provide valuable life advice....

How trainers make you see their content is an enlightening discussion as Pat shares his experiences working within a marketing company. During that time, he reveals the strategy that social media algorithms use to encourage more views and longer time spent on the page. This is why we see trainers stepping outside their profession and spending more time being a performer than a trainer and making o...

The 2022 Dutch rudder circle jerk follows in the traditions of our end of the year wrap up. There have been many highs and some lows for many of our community which have been shared either through episodes, in our forum and in person. we would like to thank all of the people in our community who made the year better and held each other up and supported each other. It’s also been great to see...