Dog Training is People Training
All dogs are GOOD DOGS! We believe it is people who have to be educated to understand dogs on their terms, to “bring out the good” in each dog so we can live together harmoniously. This show explores all aspects of communication between people and dogs — whether they are K-9 partners in military work, purpose-bred and trained service dogs, competitors in dog sports, or pets — from a newly-adopted senior dog or young puppy.
Tracie is joined by co-host Carol Borden, a veteran of 60 years training people to train dogs. She is the founder of Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs, which has trained dogs through her college accredited/VA approved curriculum to work inside the Pentagon and other Department of Defense facilities alongside disabled staff members. Carol has also personally competed in the demanding sport of Schutzhund and has trained ex-military and police K-9 handlers to work at Guardian Angel training service dogs.
NOTE: The first 77 GOOD DOGS! shows in the library were co-hosted by Tracie with three veteran trainers — Gayle Watkins, Lise Pratt and Marcy Burke — who bred agility performance Golden Retrievers.
Hosted by Tracie Hotchner, Carol Borden
Good Dogs! (08-21-2017) #6071: Gayle Watkins talks about BARKING!! And the reactive dog, who barks first, thinks later. Gayle dispels the belief that little dogs bark more [they do not], however certain breeds do bark less (Rottweilers for example). She and Tracie discuss ways to manage nuisance barking behavior. MP3 Audio [14 MB]DownloadShow URL
Good Dogs! (07-17-2017) #6068: Lise from Avidog International speaks about how to let your dog’s individual personality quirks flourish. What less-than-perfect behavior can you allow? And how to manage behavior that could make other people uncomfortable? Dogs only understand black and white—not gray—so you have to be consistent in what you allow, and when and […]
Good Dogs! (06-12-2017) #6070: Gayle Watkins from Avidog talks about car manners. How to teach a dog to be calm in a vehicle and how you want him to behave. The first step is for someone else to drive and you have a collar, leash and treats. She emphasizes the importance of a crash-tested harness. […]
Good Dogs! (04-24-2017) #6066: Marcy from Avidog International talks about how to find a reputable breeder if you’re looking for a purebred puppy. Her tips include: find that breed’s national club of America which will list known strengths and weaknesses of that breed, along with a health link on that site. Talk to a breeder […]
Good Dogs! (03-06-2017) #6065: Gayle from Avidog International explains what a dog’s “prey drive” is — especially when re-directed at other dogs. The dog’s brain focuses only on the prey and they cannot see or hear you trying to stop them when their brain is filled with neuro-chemicals that feel good. Preventing aggression towards other […]
Good Dogs! (01-09-2017) #6063: Lise from Avidog International discusses adolescence in dogs. At 18 months the “true dog” emerges and s/he is now becoming the dog s/he is meant to be. Tracie laments the change in her own 18 month old, Wanda and her prey drive towards other dogs. Lise explains that going after something smaller creates a chemical reaction in the brain that is so exciting that the dog can become deaf and dumb to your attempts to your attempts to stop her. The trick is to interrupt it before it is triggered.
Good Dogs! (12-19-2016) #6064: Kristen Collins is head of the ASPCA Rehab Center and featured in the new ASPCA documentary “Second Chance Dogs,” now available on Netflix. The film follows six extremely fearful rescued Malamutes taken to the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (the first and only facility dedicated to rehabilitating dogs suffering from severe fear […]
Good Dogs! (12-05-2016) #6062: Lise from Avidog International discusses delaying spaying a female dog (as Tracie has with her young Weimaraner, Wanda) purely for health reasons and the challenges of dealing with a bitch in heat for a novice like Tracie. Buyers of Avidog Golden Retrievers actually have to sign a contract not to spay […]
Good Dogs! (10-31-2016) #6060: The challenges of training small dogs! Marcy from Avidog International says to make training the “wee ones” a game! It needs to be fun for both of you — and should include a mountain of very small delicious treats to reinforce commands — especially the basic “Come!” command. MP3 Audio [12 […]
Good Dogs! (10-10-2016) #6061: Marcy from Avidog asks: Should people treat and view their small dogs as canines —– or babies? Because they are “babies” with teeth! If you keep holding that little dog in your arms instead of letting her be a dog, you are setting her up to bite. MP3 Audio [12 MB]DownloadShow […]
