Tag Archives: positive reinforcement

Mastering Dog Nail Trims: A Science-Based Guide to Desensitize & Counter-Condition Your Dog

How to train a dog to get their nails trimmed

How to Desensitize and Counter-Condition Your Dog for Stress-Free Nail Trims: A Comprehensive Guide By Will Bangura, M.S., CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP (Dog Behaviorist), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Introduction Nail trimming is a necessary part of a dog’s grooming routine, but for many pet parents, it can quickly turn into a dreaded task. Whether it’s […]

Comprehensive Guide, Reducing Dog Reactivity, and Evidence-Based Methods.

Training_For_Reactive_Dogs

Evidence-Based Training to Reduce Dog Reactivity: A Step-by-Step Guide for Lasting Behavior Change By Will Bangura, M.S., CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP, (Dog Behaviorist), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Introduction: This comprehensive training plan is designed to address a common but complex issue many pet parents face: reactivity and excessive barking in dogs when exposed to specific […]

The Comprehensive Guide to Positive Muzzle Training for Dogs: Step-by-Step, Science-Backed Methods for Safe and Effective Training

Dog happily wearing a basket muzzle as a result of positive muzzle training techniques

Positively Conditioning Your Dog to a Basket Muzzle: A Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Guide By Will Bangura, M.S., CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP, (Dog Behaviorist), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Introduction Conditioning your dog to wear a muzzle can be an invaluable training tool for various behavioral or safety reasons. Whether you’re dealing with reactive behavior, medical issues that […]

Debunking Myths About Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training: A Comprehensive Guide

Differential Reinforcement

Debunking Myths: Understanding Positive Reinforcement and Differential Reinforcement By Will Bangura, M.S., CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP, (Dog Behaviorist,) Certified Dog Behavior Consultant The Myths and Why They Persist Myth 1: Positive Reinforcement Trainers Don’t Say ‘No’ Why It Persists The cultural myth of the stern, dominant dog trainer has been deeply ingrained through media and […]

Overcoming Car Anxiety in Dogs: A Comprehensive Approach for Pet Parents

Anxious Dog Riding in the Car

Comprehensive Guide to Overcoming Car Anxiety in Dogs For many dog pet parents, taking their canine companions on a car ride can be a delightful experience. The thought of a dog with its head out the window, ears flapping in the breeze, and eyes gleaming with excitement is an image that brings joy. However, for […]

Balanced Training vs. Evidence-Based Scientific Dog Training Methods.

balanced dog training positive reinforcement training

Balanced Training vs. Evidence-Based Scientific Dog Training Methods by Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, FFCP First and foremost, I would like to disclose that in the past, I had practiced the “Balanced Trainer” approach, which involved utilizing aversive training techniques and tools, such as prong, choke, and electronic collars to correct dog behavior. However, as […]

Why You Should Never Punish Dog Aggression

Never Punish Dog Aggression

image courtesy of DogNostics.com Why You Should Never Punish Dog Aggression Why You Should Never Punish Dog Aggression by Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, (Dog Behaviorist,) Certified Behavior Consultant. Aggression in dogs is a common behavioral problem that can be dangerous and difficult to manage. However, it is important to understand that aggression is not […]

Stop Saying “No” and Start Saying “Good Dog!”: A Positive Approach to Training Your Furry Friend

Stop-Saying-No-and-Start-Saying -Good-Dog

Stop Saying “No” and Start Saying “Good Dog!”: A Positive Approach to Training Your Furry Friend Stop Saying “No” and Start Saying “Good Dog!”: A Positive Approach to Training Your Furry Friend By Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, (Dog Behaviorist,) Certified Behavior Consultant. Hello, pet guardians! As we all know, it can be challenging to […]

Dog Training Schedules of Reinforcement

Dog training schedules of reinforcement

Dog Training Schedules of Reinforcement By Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, (Dog Behaviorist) Certified Dog Behavior Consultant Food is a commonly used reward in dog training, providing a positive reinforcement that motivates dogs to perform desired behaviors. By pairing food with certain behaviors, trainers can shape and reinforce new behaviors in dogs, leading to improved […]

How to stop a dog from jumping

How to stop a dog from jumping

How to stop a dog from jumping By Will Bangura, M.S., CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, (Dog Behaviorist), Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Learning how to stop a dog from jumping is a common challenge for many pet owners. Although dogs may jump for different reasons, such as excitement, attention-seeking, or greeting people, it can become problematic, especially if […]