Marika S. Bell
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Popular Articles
- Easy Shaping Part 7: Change the Plan!
- APDT Australia Day 2: Session 3 Veterinary Behaviourist Dr. Gabrielle Carter: Puppy Classes: More than just socialization and training.
- Positive not Permissive
- Canine Sports: Agility
- Excessive Barking: Boredom
- What is an Ethologist / Behaviourist / Dog Trainer?
- Bark Control Collars Linked to Aggression
- Dog and Cat Introductions
- A Trainer’s Hierarchy…
- The Aversive Argument
Category Archives: Communication
Suzanne Clothier’s CARAT Seminar 1.1 Introduction
Clothier’s three-day seminar was an introduction to her new assessment tool, the Clothier Animal Response Assessment Tool. The introduction covered the pre-requisites to learning how to use CARAT. Particularly the need for the assessor to know how to observe, and … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, behaviour, Communication
Tagged behavior assessment, behavior evaluations, canien temprament, CARAT
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Excessive Barking: Attention Seeking
I see attention seeking barking most often in dogs with low impulse control, who have not learned patience. The scenario I am thinking about it when you are playing fetch with your dog and you pick up the toy to … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, learning
Tagged attention seeking, barking, excessive barking, fetch
2 Comments
How my dog taught me to politely walk on lead.
I know my person, Marika, isn’t the brightest. She’s stubborn, easily distracted and will even ignore me when I give her a direct request (if there is something she would rather do). At first I thought is was because of … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Training Methods
Tagged pulling on lead, teaching a dog to walk on lead., walking dogs, walking on lead
2 Comments
Most Misunderstood dog behaviours #3: Trash Talking and Vocalization in Play
People get nervous when dogs growl, bark, and generally trash talk while they play. While growling can mean “get away from me”, in play this is rarely the case. The trick to figuring out if your dog’s vocalizations are meant … Continue reading
Top Ten Misunderstood Behaviours Part 2: Hiding ‘Accidents’
Toilet training is one of those issues that, unless quickly solved, can cause a lot of frustration. I have even talked to families considering re-homing their dog due to toileting in the house. I find that many people can get … Continue reading
Posted in Animal Welfare, Body Language, Communication, Training Methods
Tagged hiding accidents, puppy training, toilet training, toileting in the house
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Conflict Behaviours
Conflict Behaviour is demonstrated by a dog experiencing inner conflict. The dog is happy and nervous, or anxious and excited at the same time. These behaviours are most noticeable when a dog wants to greet someone but is nervous about … Continue reading
Posted in Body Language, Communication
Tagged canine body language, canine communication, canine emotions
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What is a Whisperer?
The term ‘Whisperer’ has its first major public debut when the move The Horse Whisperer came out in 1998. The term “The Dog Whisperer” had been used by Paul Owens for a number of years before that. The “Whisperer” term … Continue reading
Posted in Body Language, Communication, Training Methods
Tagged dog whisperer, Whisperer
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Easy Shaping Part 8: Don’t Stop a Session Abruptly
1. Raising Criteria (successive approximation) 2. Breaking Down the Behaviour 3. Vary the Reinforcement 4. Relax Old Criteria When You Add New Criteria 5. Plan Ahead 6. Don’t Change Trainers Mid-stream 7. Be Flexible! When necessary, Change the Plan 8. … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, Training Methods
Tagged clicker training, dog training, shaping
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What is a Reward Marker and why do we need it?
All dog training comes down to one talent. The ability to communicate. Being able to communicate to your dog what you want means, that with the right motivation, your dog will be able demonstrate whatever behaviour you need. In human … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, learning, Training Methods
Tagged classical conditioning, primary reinforcer, reinforcement, Reward Marker, secondary reinforcer, shaping
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Superstitious Behaviour Response
Superstitious Behavior Response happens when you have tried to teach your dog a cue, only to realize that he has decided the behavior you were looking for is preceded by something else… let me give you an example. Goal Behaviour- … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, learning, Training Methods
Tagged accidental reinforcement, dog training, learning, Superstitious Behaviour
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