For the next post in our series, we will discuss one of my favorite ways to give Romi some mental and physical exercise. I find that working your dog’s mind and body every day (preferably in the morning) will help your dog . . .
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How to Best Work Alongside Your Dog, Part 5: The Reliable Recall
As we found out in the previous post, “heel” is a great tool not only for establishing and maintaining control, but also to get some necessary exercise each day with your dog (ideally outside). Right now, we are all inside with our dogs more than usual, and . . .
Read MoreHow to Best Work Alongside Your Dog, Part 4: Establishing Leadership with “Heel”
In the last post, we discussed reading your dog’s behavior to help make life more productive for both of you. I know that Romi and I also seem to be a lot happier, and more productive, when we have gotten some fresh air and exercise outside. The challenge . . .
Read MoreHow to Create Productive Spaces for You and Your Dog, Part 2
Place training is simply teaching your dog to stay in a dedicated spot without being restrained in any way for an indefinite amount of time. The beauty of place training is that it builds right on top of the foundation laid with crate training. It also creates a . . .
Read MoreHow to Create Productive Spaces for You and Your Dog, Part 1
Just a couple months ago, I had never heard terms like “social distancing,” “self-quarantine,” or “ PPE.” Nowadays, such things are a way of everyday life. These are weird times for sure, and for many of us, that means spending way more time at home than . . .
Read MoreNew Series: How to Best Work Alongside Your Dog
At Orvis, we have been lucky enough to be able to bring our dogs to the office for years, and we have learned a lot of things about working productively alongside our four-legged friends. This series will dive into maximizing your time together–not only . . .
Read MorePodcast: Common Dog-Training Terms and Misconceptions
In this installment of the podcast, Reid talks with Ronnie Smith and Susanna Love of Ronnie Smith Kennels in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. In response to listener questions, Ronnie and Susanna explore the definition of a “correction,” while also . . .
Read MoreVideo: Why a Dog Bed?
A dog bed is more than just a comfortable place for your best friend to sleep. It’s a place of refuge, a place to recover after activity, and a training tool. Every dog needs a “den,” where they can get away from life’s . . .
Read MoreOrvis Dog-Training Tips, Episode 8: How to Teach “Sit”
In episode 8, Ronnie shows how he teaches the “sit” command by using cues, not words. By pulling up on the lead and pushing down on the dog’s rear end, he establishes what he wants to happen, and the dog gets the point very quickly. Note that he . . .
Read MoreOrvis Dog-Training Tips, Episode 7: How to Teach Recall
In the seventh episode of the series, Ronnie and Susanna discuss the importance of recall (“here” or “come”) and how they use cues and rewards to build that behavior. Their use of the line ensures that the proper response happens every time. Note that . . .
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