Resources

Helpful Dog Training Resources

Some of our favorite resources for your dog’s care, training, and socialization with a focus on promoting positive methods, common courtesy, and responsible ownership. We clearly have a real soft spot for worried dogs.

How Dogs Communicate

• Jean Donaldson and her pals created iSpeak Dog, a ginormous reference for dog communication and so much more.
• Victoria Stilwell’s thorough and well-organized take on canine body language
• Whoa! Look at all this dog-speak info. from Eileen and Dogs. Eileen Anderson is a superstar.
• The Spectrum of Fear, Anxiety and Stress from the Fear-Free folks. Love them.

Positive Training

• Jean Donaldson on compulsion training methods- Talk Softly and Carry a Carrot, Not a Stick
• Lisa Mullinax explains some common misconceptions about positive reinforcement
• When you Catch Your Dog Doing Something Good and reward her for it, she’ll do it more often
• The magic formula you need to know about positive training right this very moment. Nailed it, Jake Buvala.

The D-Word (Our position on dominance training)

• The Association of Pet Dog Trainers’ (APDT) position statement on dominance and dog training.
• Learning Dog Training From Television? This site pulls back the curtain.
• Dr. Patricia McConnell, explains what dominance is and isn’t
  Dominance and “whispering” from Dr. Sophia Yin

Stop an Approaching Off-Leash Dog

• Off-leash dog safety by those DINO folks. Love them!
• Dr. Patricia McConnell’s methods for stopping an approaching dog 
• Jessica Dolce has all the answers for stopping off-leash dogs in their tracks

Dog-Dog Interactions

• Bad Rap’s Dog/Dog Tolerance levels in adult dogs
• Why not the Dog Park? by Diamonds in the Ruff
• Trail Etiquette for hiking with dogs by Nancy Tanner

Be Your Dog’s BFFF (best fur-less friend forever)

• Petting dogs and the importance of consent from Paws Abilities
• Jessica Dolce’s Stand up for your dogs. Yasss.

Dogs and Kids

• Expert support for families with dogs can be found at Family Paws Parent Education (pdfs: Dog and Baby Safety, Dog and Toddler Safety, 5 Types of Supervision, Success Stations)
• I feel lucky to have Colleen Pelar’s parenting secrets for Living with and Kids and Dogs
• The Family Dog’s Stop the 77 video. You’ll never see kids and dogs the same way again
• Keep flipping through The Family Dog channel for more educational videos (and laughs)
• Lisa Edwards has these fantastic go-to commands to teach dogs living with kids

Are You Ready for a LTR? Let’s Find Your New Best Friend!

• Dogs Out Loud on expectations of adoption I Need to Return this Dog
• Diamonds in the Ruff ask Are You Ready for a Dog in Your Life?
• How Not to Pick a Rescue Dog – an excellent article by Grisha Stewart
• Jen from DOL on the first days home So, You’ve Brought Home a New Dog

Worried, Shy, Fearful, Reactive, Anxious (still very loved) Dogs

• Dogs in Need of Space– DINOS are good dogs, they just need space
• Diamonds in the Ruff talk about Socialization, Treat & Retreat and Thresholds. So very important.
• The Myth of “Reinforcing Fear” a lecture by Suzanne Clothier with bonus links
• A helpful heap of reactive dog info called Leash Gremlins Need Love Too from Dogs Out Loud

Dog-Cat Intros (you can’t hurry love)

• What to do/not to do cat intros and dog intros from Ingrid Johnson
• Best Friends knows that when it comes to cats and dogs, slow and steady desensitization is key
• Everything about cat-dog intros from Positive Cattitudes

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statements

• Positive Vet Visit Position Statement
• Dominance Position Statement
• Punishment Position Statement
• Puppy Socialization Position Statement
• How to Choose a Trainer Handout
• Breed Specific Legislation Position Statement
• AVSAB Response Statement to Cesar 911

Gear We Love and Recommend

• Front-attachment harnesses like the Balance Harness, PetSafe 3-in-1 Harness or Freedom Harness,
• A good 6-ft leash so you can give your dog room to sniff on your walk
  6-in-1 Kurgo leash for more freedom or less, as needed
• Phydeaux has the best leash sleeves to nicely let folks know that you’re not down with on-leash greetings
• Squishy Face Walking Belt is great for hands-free walking and training

TRAINING AND CLASS RECOMMENDATIONS

• Puppy classes in Durham, NC
  Learning to Dog Training and Enrichment
  Whole Dog Institute
• Puppy Classes In Chapel Hill, NC
  Cheery Dogs
• Separation-Related Behaviors (Separation Anxiety)
  DogEvolve
  Focused Fun – Home Alone and Happy