Successful Management is a Double Bubble
We really love good management! It has been on our minds recently, especially with so many pet guardians working and attending school from home. Now is a fantastic time to establish good management practices to help bring out the best in your pet! Managing the environment is often a matter of safety. We prioritize the…
Read More
Management is Key to Behavior Training
The first and arguably most important part of a successful behavior modification plan is management. But what is management? What does it look like? And why is it so important? The concept of management in training is all about setting up the environment to help make the desired outcome more probable, while also limiting or…
Read More
Positive Reinforcement
Guess what?? Positive reinforcement is a procedural and behavioral outcome. This means that it works, by definition. That is, if a behavior occurs more frequently, then it has been reinforced. If that behavior is occurring more frequently because something pleasurable or appetitive has been added to the situation, then positive reinforcement has occurred. If you…
Read More
Behavior is the Real Measure of Success
While researching various animal trainers who will gladly take your money to train your pet, you very likely have come across the professionals who advertise quick and guaranteed results; for example, a two-week board and train guaranteed to “fix” your aggressive dog; or a horse trainer promising to “break” your new horse in just one…
Read More
Train FOR the Moment, Not IN the Moment
When athletes train for the big game, they run drills and condition on their home court or field; they don’t learn how to shoot the ball during the heat of the game. Sometimes, if a child is having a hard time socially, their family might sign them up for rock climbing lessons, or have them…
Read More
Give the Gift of Sniff!!
Good morning to everyone- except for people who don’t let their dogs sniff on walks! But seriously, folks- give your dog the gift of sniff. Why? We are so glad you asked… People often say that dogs see the world with their noses. But it is far more than that! Dogs’ noses are incredibly powerful.…
Read More
Compliance Does Not Equal Comfort
Compliance might look fancy and impressive on social media and in advertising, but it can come at a hefty cost to both our relationship with the animal and to the animal’s welfare. At Synergy, our methods are always evolving to keep up with the findings of science and ethical discourse in the world of behavior.…
Read More
/blog/Desensitization
Desensitization is a process that diminishes emotional responsiveness to a negative, aversive, or positive stimulus after repeated exposure to it. Many people use this process with our animals, both intentionally and by accident. It often occurs naturally by virtue of daily life; for example, perhaps you live near train tracks, and your cat used to…
Read More
Muzzled Dogs Aren’t BAD Dogs!
Muzzled dogs have a bit of a bad reputation. Some people assume that a muzzled dog will bite people and is a dangerous dog. Other people think that are muzzles are cruel and restrictive. But guess what?? Muzzles are actually magic! Dogs wear muzzles out and about, or even in the house, for a wide…
Read More
Reward Your Dog For EVERY SINGLE Recall!
Recall is an essential skill for every dog (and other pets, too!). It is also a very expensive behavior- that is, it is hard work for your dog. Leaving behind something exciting- like a good smell, a swimming hole, a squirrel chase, or a new friend at the park- and coming aaaaaaaall the way back…
Read More
