In this episode, we discuss the importance of motivation in dog training. Motivation is the most important aspect when training any dog and, sadly, the most neglected. In the sports dog world, the importance of creating the right motivation is understood and used well, but it is ignored in many other areas of dog training. We discuss the two different types of motivation that matter. The motivation to do or have and the motivation to avoid. Both are equally important, and any effective dog training program includes them in the right ratio. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss emotions in dogs. We explore the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for emotions in all mammals. I briefly overview the Blue-Ribbon emotions and how and why this matters when working with dogs. The information in this episode is largely based on Affective Neuroscience by Jaak Panksepp. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss how the industry of dog training is failing dog owners. Too much ideology gets in the way of helping people live more harmoniously with their dogs. We touch on the current state of affairs, the problems this creates for dog owners, training tool bans, and where all of this can lead. We'll close with a domestic example of where we are heading and some international examples that went too far. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss if you should train your dog. This may seem like a silly question at first, but it's actually not. If your dog has behavioral issues, yes, hire a trainer. If you have specific requirements for camping, off-leash hiking, wanting to participate in a dog sport, or joining a therapy dog team, you should hire a trainer. But what if your dog is a nice boy or girl, doesn't have any issues, and just hangs out with you anyways? Sometimes training is optional and sometimes unnecessary. We'll discuss it. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss eleven dog myths that keep persisting despite them being false. This includes dog myths around veterinary procedures, food, training, play, emotions, intelligence, and more. Myth: Don't take your dog for walks before its shots are complete. Myth: Feeding raw food is dangerous. Myth: Letting your dog win during tug-of-war will make it more aggressive. Myth: Don't let your dog walk ahead. Myth: Transition to different dog food slowly. Myth: Old dogs can't learn new tricks Myth: Dogs should walk on your left side Myth: Dogs don't have emotions/don't feel pain the same way people do. Myth: When a dog bites people, that's just its personality. Myth: Dogs are dumb. Myth: Spaying/neutering your dog prevents cancer. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we'll discuss the concept of punishment. This is the follow-up promised in episode nine about reinforcement. But, while reinforcement is about creating behaviors, punishment is about controlling and stopping behaviors. Punishment hardly sounds good and evokes all kinds of emotions. Instead of piling on, we keep it factual to clear up misconceptions. Understand how punishment is inevitable, and you are probably doing it right now and are just calling it something else. We discuss how the common understanding of the term leads to emotional and unproductive attitudes. Further, we review how psychology defines punishment and the proper application of learning science. What it is and isn't, and how it fits into the overall process of dog training. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss the flaws of many scientific dog studies. Instead of peer-reviewed, validated, solid scientific studies, we deal with far too many manipulated, unverifiable 'studies' that are meaningless at best and misleading or manipulated at worst. We discuss how science is supposed (and used) to work. Learn why studies based on surveys and questionnaires are mostly useless. Understand how results are often manipulated to produce a desired, pre-determined outcome instead of factual data. And how even well-intentioned, honest scientists produce a lot of bad, incorrect data when studying dog training methods. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, we discuss what goes into creating reliability in dogs during training. We review the stages of learning: acquisition, fluency, generalization, discrimination, and maintenance. We review which aspects of learning science come into play during the process and how dog training tools factor into the equation. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
In this episode, I discuss how we increase the confidence of dogs. We review the general principles and discuss the overall approach. We review realistic goals for a fearful dog and what limits we likely have to accept. This episode expands on episode 8, 'Fear and Anxiety in Dogs,' which focuses on explaining and understanding what your insecure or fearful dog is going through. Now we are adding details on how to help your dog become more confident. Visit the Podcast Episode Page for additional content and a list of episode references. Buy Ralf's book If Your Dog Could Talk - Understand Your Dog Like Never Before (5th Edition) on Amazon.
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