Devon Dog Training

24/07/2026

Needed to be said 😂

22/07/2026

12/07/2026

Too good.

Much of the current training world is happy to sell you emotionally appealing fairytales when it comes to both stopping unwanted behaviors and creating reliability with desired behaviors.

And while it would be wonderful if true, and it would make for far easier sales, and it would make for far easier owner follow through… I’m sorry to tell you that it’s simply not true.

The science that so many positive-only, reward-only, force-free trainers use as a shield against criticism, and a convincing appeal to authority (if you don’t know what you’re being sold) to convince you that all you need to do is reward what you want and ignore what your don’t… says precisely the opposite.

In fact, the science (operant conditioning) says very clearly that ONLY punishment (an aversive consequence applied following an undesired behavior) can reduce or eliminate the behavior in the future. Not training an incompatible behavior. Not ignoring the undesired behavior. Not avoidance. Not creating a positive association.

And when it comes to creating reliability with fairly trained and proofed commands, the same goes. If non-compliance has no downside beyond not receiving a reward, most dogs when faced with juicy environmental or internal rewards, will happily choose non-compliance… unless there’s an unpleasant consequence connected to the act of non-compliance.

That all said, it’s your life and your dog. If you don’t like the sound of this reality stuff, you’re under no obligation to engage in it. But it’s good for you know that if you are struggling with your dog, and you’re dodging the reality piece of the training puzzle, you’re crystal clear as to why it’s happening.

There’s no mystery occurring, it’s just humans rejecting reality, and reaping the unsurprising outcomes that come with that choice.

The Good Dog Way
Phoenix, AZ
Gig Harbor, WA

12/07/2026

Most owners assume veterinarians receive deep, high-quality training in dog behavior and training.

They do not.

The average DVM receives less than one required formal behavior course in veterinary school.

That is not hyperbole. A recent review of U.S. veterinary school catalogs found that only 12 of 32 AVMA-accredited veterinary colleges — 37% — required a behavior course. Seven offered behavior as an elective, and 13 did not offer a behavior course at all in the reviewed catalogs. (MDPI)

So the median veterinary student may graduate with zero required formal behavior courses.

That should stop owners cold.

Because the average owner assumes their vet is not only a medical authority, but also a training authority.

That assumption is wrong.

Your vet may be excellent at medicine but most likely will have little to no meaningful training in actual dog training and behavior modification.

And this doesn’t even approach the reality that whatever training your vet might receive, will absolutely be 100% force-free, positive-only, ideologically captured, non-reality, and non-scientifically-based horsesh*t.

Which means whatever they do know, will be dangerously counter-productive, management and medication focused “training” slop, that promises to steer you away from practical, proven, common sense training which could actually benefit you and your dog.

The upshot?

Ask your vet for medical advice, not for training advice.

12/07/2026

AND WHAT DO YOU **DO** ABOUT IT??

Blanche Saunders started AKC obedience.

In a memorable section of this book, she talks about getting a dog to stop barking.

“I doubt if I shall ever forget the first night of the series of training classes sponsored by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which I conduct in New York City. The class was held in the gymnasium and could comfortably accommodate 25 to 30 dogs. But there were 50 dogs present. The bedlam caused by the 51 untrained dogs, handled by untrained owner, was something I can’t even describe. No introductions were heard and no speakers understood. I don’t remember saying it, but I was told later that when the class was turned over to my care, I made the statement that I had no intention of competing with 50 dogs and ordered everyone present to place his hands around his dog's muzzle and hold his mouth shut. The owners were amazed when they realized how easy it was to keep the dogs quiet. This simple act had not occurred to one of them.”

I smiled reading this paragraph.

Someone says their dog does something irritating.

Yes, and what do you DO to try stop it?

Almost every time, the dog owner grows silent. They are confused.

Do?

They have to DO something?

The idea has never occurred to them!

For the record, the instruction that follows in this book is the old "throw something at the dog" admonition.

And does that work? It sure can!

Trainers have been throwing knotted ropes, choke chains, and rolled up magazines at dogs since the dawn of time.

The latest variation on the theme is a rolled up bit of towel with rubber bands around it; what dog trainer Gary Wilkes calls a "bonk'.

No, it's not entirely new.

But does it work? Quite well, actually. 👍

30/06/2026

Just how small can a tick be? This tiny nymph tick, found on Dartmoor, is about the size of a poppy seed. Nymph ticks are thought to cause many Lyme disease infections, partly because they're so small they're often not noticed and removed promptly.

A big thank you to our community member for sharing this photo and helping raise awareness.

30/06/2026

Just having a bimble together. It’s lovely to have such relaxed interactions.