Clinic Visit with Unruly Dog

Play Time

This fun video montage shows all types of dogs and puppies at play. Play is an important part of the lives of all dogs, and can be effectively incorporated into a training program. You can use this video as an introduction to classes or a talk about play. For more information, see the accompanying article about integrating play into your program. You can find this in the "Articles" section of our website.

Points of View: What the dog sees

This is the second of two parts, and shows a typical enthusiastic human-to-dog greeting from the dog's perspective.

Typical human greeting behavior includes walking directly toward a dog, bending over and reaching toward them, looking them in the eyes, and patting them on the head. If the human considers themselves a real dog lover, they may also hug them around the neck.

Behavior Talk 009: Teoti Anderson

We're a little more than halfway through our special APDT series of Behavior Talk episodes, where we feature exclusive interviews from the Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Portland Oregon. Today we're talking with Teoti Anderson.

Behavior Talk 019: Melissa Bain

Today's interview features Dr. Melissa Bain. She is currently Service Chief of the Clinical Animal Behavior Service at UC Davis, where she mentors residents and students via teaching, research, and clinical case management.

She started our conversation by giving me some updates on recent studies on owner compliance and its effect on behavior outcomes. We also talked about the emotional side of behavioral counseling.

Behavior Talk 015: Bonnie Beaver

Today we begin another special series of Behavior Talk episodes featuring conversations I had with a number animal behavior experts last summer while I was in Washington D.C. for the AVMA, AVSAB and ACVB meetings. Our first interview is with Dr. Bonnie Beaver. Dr. Beaver is the Executive Directorr of the American College of Veterinary Behavior, the past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, and is on the faculty of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.

Conditioning an Emotional Response

Author and trainer Jean Donaldson demonstrates installing a conditioned emotional response (CER) to an object. She uses this process to introduce her chow, Buffy, to a new piece of equipment. She shows how she easily conditions Buffy to enjoy wearing her head collar.

Tips for Handling a Dog-Reactive Dog

Ian Dunbar and Claude help Jean Donaldson work with a leash-reactive shelter dog.

Jean show us the baseline leash-reactive behaviors that certainly may have contributed to this dog being surrendered to the shelter. At the sight of another dog, the dog becomes unmanageable, barking, lunging and pulling so strongly that it’s impossible to hold on to her.

Working with on-leash aggression

Trainer Jean Donaldson demonstrates tools and techniques for safely and effectively handling dog-reactive shelter dogs during behavior modification sessions. Commentary by veterinarian and animal behaviorist, Ian Dunbar describes how use of this technique impacts body language between dogs.

Behavior Talk 002: Ian Dunbar

Walking His Dog Claude

Veterinarian and behaviorist Ian Dunbar shares his story about his rescue dog, Claude. When he met Claude, the dog had all sorts of problems. He was frightened, was a biter, and had bitten him four times before Ian brought him home.

Behavior Talk 005: Keri Gorman

This is another special APDT episode of Behavior Talk. The featured interview is with Keri Gorman. She discusses her experience as an animal trainer at Sea World, and her application of marker-based training methods to TAGteaching. Her work includes using this approach with at-risk youth in the juvenile justice system.

Behavior Talk 006: Kelly Gorman Dunbar

Another in our two week series of special APDT episodes of Behavior Talk, where we feature exclusive interviews with many of the presenters and experts at the conference.

In today's episode, we talk with Kelly Gorman Dunbar. Among many other things, Kelly is the Executive Editor of Dog Star Daily, a great and fun new web site featuring lots of tips and information about dogs, behavior, and training. We talk about the philosophy behind this site, some of the new features coming in the future, and also about some of the other programs Kelly is working on in the Bay Area of California.

Behavior Talk 018: Lore Haug

Today we feature another in a series of interviews I conducted at the AVMA Conference in Washington DC. Dr. Lare Houg is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and ran the Animal Behavior Service at Texas A&M University from 2002-2007.

Clinic Visit with Unruly Dog

Behavior Talk 001: Debra Horwitz

This episode of Behavior Talk features an interview with Dr. Debra Horwitz.

Dr. Horwitz is a veterinary behaviorist with a practice in St. Louis, MO. She's currently the president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, and is a frequent lecturer and presenter, and author of many articles and books. Her most recent book is "Blackwell's Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior," which she co-authored with Dr. Jacqui Neilson.

Behavior Talk 017: Katherine Houpt

In today's episode I had the good fortune to spend some time with Dr. Katherine Houpt. Dr. Houpt is a professor at Cornell University where she established the Animal Behavior Clinic at The College of Veterinary Medicine and was one of the charter diplomats of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

Behavior Talk 004: Trish King

This is another special APDT episode of Behavior Talk, where we're featuring an exclusive interview with presenters from the recent Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Portland, OR. This episode includes an interview with Trish King.

Improving Aggressive Behavior in Veterinary Exam

Veterinary behaviorist Gary Landsberg demonstrates how to improve the aggressive behavior dogs during veterinary examinations. He quickly changes Rusty's typically traumatic clinic visit into a positive opportunity to learn.

Behavior Talk 011: Amy Marder

In today's episode, I talk with Dr. Amy Marder. Dr. Marder is the Director of the Center for Behavior and Training at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. I caught up with her at the recent Association of Pet Dog Trainers in Portland. She was at APDT on behalf of the Animal Farm Foundation, and organization working to restore the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. It was her first APDT conference, and part of our conversation covered the unique perspective on this event that her background gives her.

Behavior Talk 007: Leslie McDevitt

Another in our two week series of special APDT episodes of Behavior Talk, where we feature exclusive interviews with many of the presenters and experts at the conference.

In today's episode, we talk with Leslie McDevitt. Leslie is the author of a new book, "Control Unleashed." In it, she discusses how to manage extreme arousal in dogs in highly stimulating enviornments, including competition settings like Agility or Rally.

In our conversation we talk about the concepts behind the "Control Unleashed" book, her own dogs who were the inspiration for this work, and some of the ways dogs and owners can benefit from these ideas even outside of the competition environment.

Walking with an injured dog

In this video, trainer Leslie McDevitt talks about one of her competition dogs, Maggie, who had injured her neck and shoulders. Because of this injury, a typical buckle collar could be inappropriate. Leslie describes how using the Gentle Leader allowed the two of them to continue to enjoy their walks.

Behavior Talk 012: Jennifer Messer

Dr. Jennifer Messer is a veterinarian working in small animal practice in Ontario, Canada. She is well recognized as a leader in curriculum development for young puppies, and her comprehensive puppy class program The Kinderpuppy Course – A Curriculum Manual for Instructors is being used by puppy class instructors worldwide.

Managing a dog with situational aggression, part 1

Veterinary behaviorist, Jacqui Neilson works with a newly surrendered dachshund on situational aggression during baths. Sophie, the dachshund, has a history of anxiety and biting during the bathing process. During baths, she would tremble, bite humans trying to handle her and also redirected aggression toward herself.

Managing a dog with situational aggression, part 2

This is the second session with Sophie, the situationally fearful and aggressive dachshund who will now be desensitized to being toweled off after a bath. Veterinary behaviorist Neilsen demonstrates how using a Gentle Leader head collar facilitates this process by calming the dog and providing added control for safe handling.

Behavior Talk 014: Leslie Nelson

This is the last in our special APDT episodes of Behavior Talk. Today's episode of Behavior Talk features an interview with Leslie Nelson.

Our conversation covered some of her APDT seminar topics, including building a recurring customer base and, as her conference closing presentation was called, "Walking The Walk."

Helping a student who has MS

Certified applied animal behaviorist and service dog trainer Mary Lee Nitschke helps a client with her service dog, Katy. Jane has limited strength and manual dexterity due to multiple sclerosis. She has been using a harness with Katy, but feels she needs added control with minimal effort.

Managing Barking at the door

Maltese barking at the door

Points of View: What the dog sees

This is the second of two parts, and shows a typical enthusiastic human-to-dog greeting from the dog's perspective.

Typical human greeting behavior includes walking directly toward a dog, bending over and reaching toward them, looking them in the eyes, and patting them on the head. If the human considers themselves a real dog lover, they may also hug them around the neck.

Points of View: What we see

Many people are bitten because they do not realize that dogs feel threatened by what we consider to be normal human behavior when greeting a dog. These two clips can be downloaded for use in educational presentations that can help people learn that what we consider to be "normal" is actually quite stressful for any dog.

The first clip shows a typical dog-loving human enthusiastically greeting a dog. Humans usually approach dogs head on, walking straight toward them, leaning over and reaching toward the dog, and patting him on the head. Dogs only clasp each other when fighting or mating, so hugging them around the neck can be stressful to even the most well-socialized dogs.

Play Time

This fun video montage shows all types of dogs and puppies at play. Play is an important part of the lives of all dogs, and can be effectively incorporated into a training program. You can use this video as an introduction to classes or a talk about play. For more information, see the accompanying article about integrating play into your program. You can find this in the "Articles" section of our website.

Behavior Talk 010: Kathy Sdao

In today's episode, I have the chance to talk with Kathy Sdao. Kathy owns Bright Spot Dog Training in Tacoma, Washington. She's a very enthusiastic and popular presenter around the country, drawing on her experience with many different species at Sea World, the U.S. Navy, and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.

Behavior Talk 016: Barbara Sherman

In today's episode, we bring you a conversation I had with Dr. Barbara Sherman. Dr. Sherman is Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, NC. There, she serves as Director of the Animal Behavior Service of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, located in a satellite facility in Cary, North Carolina. In addition, Dr. Sherman is involved with the program in Animal Welfare, Ethics and Public Policy, and teaches animal behavior to veterinary students.

Helping first time owner be successful

Trainer Pia Silvani helps first-time dog owner Brian with Milo, his newly adopted Jack Russell Terrier. Milo is very active and does not like being handled, particularly around the head.

Behavior Talk 008: Angelica Steinker

We're continuing our series of special APDT episodes of Behavior Talk, featuring exclusive interviews with notable presenters from the recent Association of Pet Dog Trainers conference in Portland, Oregon. Today we hear my conversation with Angelica Steinker.

Managing dogs in a clinic reception area

Veterinarian Mike Tyler demonstrates how using Gentle Leader can reduce stress and anxiety of dogs in the environment of the veterinary clinic. Many owners dread the trip to the veterinary clinic, because they remember the dog being stressed and out of control.

Behavior Talk 020: Valarie Tynes

Awhile back I had a conversation with Dr. Valarie Tynes. Dr. Tynes is a veterinarian from Fort Worth, Texas and is board-certified by the American Collage of Veterinary Behaviorists. She is also currently the Public Relations Chairman for the the ACVB.

Tips for using the Easy Walk Harness

Janet Velenovsky, Behavior and Training Education Specialist for Premier Pet Products, works with the owner of a frisky boxer. The owner had previously used other methods to try and curb pulling on leash. With Janet's help, she learns the proper techniques for using the Easy Walk Harness, and becomes convinced that it will be a successful solution for her and her dog.

Fitting the Easy Walk Harness

Behavior Talk 003 Joel Walton

Joel Walton is a dog trainer from the Washington DC area where he runs Walton Family Dog Training. A charter member of APDT, he is known especially for his work with labradors, and has written a book, “Labrador Retrievers for Dummies.” He also leads seminars on puppy training, and has written a book on the subject, “Positive Puppy Training Works.”

Behavior Talk 013: Sophia Yin

Today's episode of Behavior Talk features an interview with Sophia Yin.

During our conversation we covered some of her favorite APDT highlights, and I learned of that she's an experienced swing dancer. She also gives us a preview of the new book she's working on. We started the conversation talking about the Manners Minder, the training product she invented.