Q: I'm trying to teach my dog to sit, but she's not really getting it quite right. What should I be doing?
Teach + Success Stories + Fun & Handy Tricks
What? Train a Rabbit?
By Joan Orr on 04/01/2012Rabbits are furry and lovable, of course; quirky and silly, sometimes; full of energy and mischief, undoubtedly; but trainable? You bet! You're probably training your rabbit without even realizing it. Is he litter-box trained? Does he come to see you when you go to his cage? Then you've already taken your first steps.
How to Teach Your Dog Left and Right
By Aidan Bindoff on 03/01/2012This is a fun exercise that is handier than it seems at first. You'll set up two targets at a distance, and teach your dog to go to either target—left or right—on cue. Later, you will set up similar exercises to bring more general meaning to the cues "left" or "right."
A dog that understands "left" and "right" has a terrific skill for many competition venues including agility, herding, mushing, water dog, and retrieving. This understanding would also be handy walking on trails—and service dog owners could think of a dozen or more applications for "left" and "right."
Let Me Entertain You! Successful Holiday Parties for Pet Owners
By Casey Lomonaco on 12/01/2011Pets and parties?
I love the movie A Christmas Story. My favorite characters are, of course, the Bumpus Hounds.
Holiday Hide and Seek with Your Dog!
By Aidan Bindoff on 12/01/2011Experienced dog owners and trainers often note that every dog needs a job. A dog with something meaningful to do rarely gets himself into trouble.
Hunting for clothespins is a task that is easy to teach, and gives your dog the opportunity to solve a problem and complete a significant job. Once the behavior is trained, it's something you can do every day without breaking a sweat or putting aside much time, yet your dog will work really hard and will finish the exercise happy and satisfied.
