by PPGWorld | Jan 9, 2017 | Animal Behavior, Learning Theory, Training
Pet Professional Guild Press Release Pet Professional Guild (PPG) has released a new position statement on so-called “pet correction devices” that are used for the management, training and care of pets. PPG does not recommend such devices and the move...
by Eileen Anderson | Jan 6, 2017 | Training
I read the following online the other day: People shouldn’t object to the use of negative reinforcement! It’s just stuff like washing my hands when they are dirty or drying them when they are wet. What’s wrong with that? This...
by Drayton Michaels | Dec 30, 2016 | Advocacy, Animal Behavior, Business & Consulting, Learning Theory, Pet Guardians, Training
Some pet dog trainers that are either using aversive methods or some that call themselves “balanced”, and use a combination of both aversive approaches and food rewards, may carry the notion that positive reward based trainers are against them personally,...
by Drayton Michaels | Dec 28, 2016 | Advocacy, Business & Consulting, Training
The profession of companion, or “pet” dog training is one that requires little more than the willingness to do it and promote oneself. There is no licensing required. Let me state right up front that given the appalling lack of …
by Pam Hogle | Dec 28, 2016 | Advocacy, Training
A headline a few weeks ago caught my eye: PetSmart, groomer are sued in death of dog. Obviously, this should never happen. Reading the article just made me sad, and angry. The dog, Henry, a year-old dachshund, went to...
by Barbara Hodel | Dec 21, 2016 | Animal Behavior, Pet Guardians, Training
Do not get me wrong, I am not talking about giving someone a puppy for Christmas or buying a puppy on impulse. I am talking about a long awaited puppy who, for no other reason but the mother coming into …
by Daniel Antolec | Dec 15, 2016 | Advocacy, Pet Guardians
Advocacy opportunities sometimes pop up unexpectedly, as happened to me in November 2016. I contribute a column to a local weekly newspaper and while perusing an issue I found an interview with the public works director of a nearby village. …
by Eileen Anderson | Dec 13, 2016 | Animal Behavior, Training
I am so interested in how dogs perceive things, and how they notice differences that we don’t, or that we take for granted. Those differences can matter to them a great deal. An example of that was the focus of...
by PPGWorld | Dec 7, 2016 | Animal Behavior
To help improve the relationship people have with their dogs, The Academy for Dog Trainers, the Humane Rescue Alliance, The Bark Magazine, and The Pet Professional Guild have teamed up to launch iSpeakDog, a global campaign...
by Pet Professional Guild Cat Committee | Dec 4, 2016 | Animal Behavior, Learning Theory, Training
By Beth Adelman, MS It’s piece of bad advice that just won’t die: When your cat is misbehaving, squirt her with some water. Even some veterinarians still say it. What’s wrong with the spray bottle? Well, for starters, it doesn’t...
