Ep. 204: What's Your Reason For Training Your Dog?

What are you training for?  This week, Tara and Laura pose the question of why people chose to train their dogs.  Many individuals are training for a specific goal, but what if you thought of training as a subscription?  What would that mean?  They explain the differences in these two ways of thought when approaching training with your dog and what that looks like when working with them.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What gear is best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura break down all the different types of gear available for dogs and explain when you would use them.  There are so many different options out there that it can be overwhelming, but knowing how to properly communicate your expectations on the leash is extremely important.  Some gear is better for certain dogs over others, some build frustration, and some only suppress behavior instead of teaching your dog alternatives.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Was that a sign of resource guarding?  This week, Tara and Laura cover some of the signs of general resource guarding that many people will miss.  Resource guarding is natural in all animals, but many times people won’t notice the subtle signs of his behavior.  The more confidence a dog builds with these simple behaviors the more likely it can escalate.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog partaking in terrier sparing?  This week, Tara and Laura dive into the known competition of terrier sparing.  They break down what this competition is, why they believe it is inappropriate, and what behaviors it can cause in terriers that can feed the stereotypes about the breed.  Many people have a negative viewpoint on the terrier breeds, and unfortunately, some of those opinions can be caused by what humans have taught these dogs to do.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Have you heard of The Mutty Professor?  This week, Tara and Laura were honored to welcome The Mutty Professor, Roz, on the podcast all the way from the UK.  They discussed training ideologies, struggles that positive trainers face in the mist of social media, and the importance of having great communication and listening to every dog when working with them.  Roz offered a lot of insight into training in the UK and the different obstacles they can face from dogs in the US.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What does your dog’s play look like?  This week, Tara and Laura break down what proper forms of play looks like between dogs.  They offer examples of inappropriate play, including excessive jumping, mouthing, and wrestling, and discuss why allowing this type of play can be a recipe for disaster.  They also explain what proper play between dogs should look and sound like and how owners can help teach their dog how to play properly.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Are you depriving your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura answer the question on if dogs should be allowed to hunt and kill.  Many people believe that it is a natural instinct for all dogs to need the opportunity to hunt and kill, but they only want them to do it when they allow.  Tara and Laura explain how this idea of a dog needing this release isn’t true and why it can cause more problems if owners continue to believe they must allow this behavior.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

What GPS collar is the best for your dog?  This week, Tara and Laura compare the different GPS collars available for pet owners.  They break down the pros and cons of the different brands, why every pet owner should consider a GPS for their dog, and what they have experienced with their personal dogs.  There is so much to learn about your dog’s habits plus having the peace of mind that you could keep them safe if they got lost.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

How well do you know Tara’s co-host?  This week, Tara turned the tables on Laura and had her on the hot seat.  Tara peppered Laura with questions for listeners to have an opportunity to get to know her co-host a little bit better.  It’s always refreshing to learn more about the people you are listening to and understand their background, thought processes, and personality a little bit more.Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman

Is your dog stupid or actually smarter than you?  This week, Tara and Laura break open the myth that some dogs are unable to learn and are labeled as stupid.  They discuss why this is inaccurate, why some trainers may say this, and how to determine why your dog may be struggling to learn something.  Most of the time the fault lies with us and our communication or your dog knows they can ignore you instead. Sponsored by K9 WorkingmindThis episode was edited and mastered by The WillaWoman. Our song "Working Minds" was also created by The WillaWoman.Hear more of her work here: https://tinyurl.com/TheWillaWoman