Blog Article
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 MoreManagement 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 MorePositive 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 MoreBehavior 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 MoreTrain 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 MoreGive 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 MoreCompliance 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“Fine” is a Four-Letter Word
Have you ever looked at your dog and thought that she looks “fine”? Have you described your own or another person’s pet as “fine” when you describe them to your friends? Beware, the word “fine” is often not so fine!
Read MoreCalming Signals or Stress Signs?
When working with clients, I am often asked about the body language of the dogs that we are working with. One question that comes up, particularly with those who have some background in behavior and training, is about whether certain behaviors we are seeing are Calming Signals or stress signs.
Read MoreThe Misunderstood Muzzle
Muzzles are some of the most misunderstood, but most important, tools in dog training. It is a way to keep your dog and others around her safe while providing opportunities for training. A muzzled dog is not a bad dog, and may not even be a dog that bites. It is however, a dog whose people are being proactive and safe.
Read More