Bowie, just entering the defiant phase of early adolescence, is one awesome public access champion. In this, her second vet visit and 4 month check up, Dr. Smith demonstrates the proper way to gently introduce a young, innocent pup to what is for some the traumatic nail clipping challenge. By...
The Art & Science of Matchmaking – Service Dog Style
Three years ago yesterday, Ella arrived. My first English Springer Spaniel puppy from Meadowland Springers in Baltic, South Dakota. Training her to be a service dog was such a joyful experience that I've had a least one Springer Spaniel puppy underfoot every fall since then. Cort, Ella’s brother, arrived from...
Treat-O-Meter
Positive training requires the use of treats. Some people think trainers like me are "cookie pushers". So let's understand treats. Category I: Food - ranging from banal (dust bunny covered stale cheerio) to extraordinary ("canine equivalent of a hot fudge sundae"). Category II: Everything else the dog likes that isn't food in...