Robin MacFarlane

19/08/2025

Freedom is important—but so is safety. In my latest post,
I share their story, plus some practical ways to give your dog the best of both worlds. 🐾

https://robinmacfarlane.com/dogs-freedom-to-roam/

The post was inspired by two German Shepherds who showed up recently, wandered into my kitchen and were quite content to hang out for a while. I was able to track down the home they came from, a few miles away. When I found out their owners were actually out of town for a few days it was really disheartening....apparently seeing these two wandering in this rural environment is a common occurrence. 😕

Two Shepherds wandered into my kitchen and reminded me of an important truth: dogs need freedom, but they also need safety. Discover practical, breed-specific ways to fulfill your dog’s instincts while protecting them from harm.

15/08/2025

There are 3 remaining spots for Dog Camp happening end of September in Madison, IN.

Join me and let's train dogs together!

Dog Training Camp is designed to help pet dog owners build better relationships with their dogs. In this hands-on weekend, you will learn how dogs think and how simple and fun training exercises fit into your lifestyle to create better behavior. You'll also discover how properly using an e-collar ca...

12/08/2025

This is Patrick. 😍 10 weeks old and currently starting his puppy preschool adventure.
..well, actually mom will be on the adventure too as she learns what it means to be Your Dog's Hero.

Got a puppy? You need this.
https://courses.robinmacfarlane.com/puppy-preschool

Don't wait until your pup matures and problems develop.

Prevent problems by starting young! The fun, simple exercises in this course will carry over into good dog habits that you can live with for a lifetime. 😇

10/08/2025

NY friends, pro trainers, pet owners, and dog enthusiasts, reach out to your representatives and oppose this non-sensical approach to industry regulation.

It is based on ideology, not science, or sound decision making. It is not in the best interest of your ability to care for and live the life you want to have with your dogs.

https://iacpdogs.org/2025/08/05/oppose-proposed-dog-trainer-licensure-in-new-york-state/?no-cache&fbclid=IwY2xjawMFe_NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETE4emVGRHZLU2FGbkRoR2RkAR6XNZ_1PqzGPXa1VEpKTtv6NseYsMfIesX478N2eWnTwKF_Fvxnji_cGSr1AQ_aem_9F0MhBSzce9rKxLmFCBt7w

🚨 IACP Member Alert: Oppose NY Senate Bill S.7723 / Assembly Bill A.6985 Date: August 5, 2025Audience: All IACP Members – Especially New York State Residents 📜 What’s Happening New […]

08/08/2025

Excited to be coming back to Minnesota to teach! I'll be in Buffalo, MN in early November.

Come join the fun if you want to learn more about ecollar training. Working and Audit spots available for pet owners and pro trainers!

Nov 1st & 2nd at Water's Edge Dog Center.

The Ecollar Foundation Workshop teaches how to safely and humanely use an ecollar so you can provide your dog more freedom and build reliability.

07/08/2025

New Blog:...fleshed out a bit more information about using play to improve your training results.

Learning how play with your dog can yield better behavior and improved training . Have fun and play with Des Moines dog trainer.

02/08/2025

If you are looking for guidance and support as you incorporate an Ecollar into your dog's training routine, this is a great opportunity!

Over the course of 7-weeks, I'll be providing information and hands-on experiences that teach you how to improve your dog's reliability without compromising their welfare or emotional well-being. 🥰

The course combines pre-recorded webinars and video tutorials with personalized feedback, homework assignments, and weekly LIVE coaching calls.

Class starts August 12th. Jump in now so that you and your dog can have more fun and more freedom! 🐾

Learn more and register here:
https://robinmacfarlane.com/product/ecollar-beyond-the-basics/

Professional trainer course is sold out. Pet owners - there is still time to use coupon code: 𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐑𝟏𝟓 at check out to save 15% off!!

24/07/2025

Reminder: Reward the behavior you want, and you’ll get more of it.

A reward is anything your dog likes. Some rewards are more powerful than others.

Play is highly motivating—and therefore very rewarding. If your dog learns that listening to you can make play happen, you’ll get more attention and a more enthusiastic attitude in return.

I was reminding a client recently about the power of play. When he offered to “run to the car” to get a toy, I showed him that it usually doesn’t require a special item to build enthusiasm. It’s more about movement—and the opportunity to chase or tug.

Dogs, as descendants of wolves, are predators by design. Yes, we've selectively bred them to strengthen (or weaken) certain traits, but their brains are still evolved for the hunt.

Hunting involves a complex sequence of behaviors including:
✅ Sniffing to find scent
✅ Tracking to follow the scent trail
✅ Stalking and Chasing to catch the prey
✅ Shaking to kill
✅ Tearing to consume what was caught

When we use play to our advantage, we tap into parts of that sequence—especially chasing and tugging—to capture attention and satisfy the dog’s natural instincts.

So what does this mean for you, especially if your dog doesn’t seem very interested in toys?

In simple terms: movement matters. Instead of just tossing a toy or dropping it on the ground, make it move first!

Play a little keep-away. Wiggle it. Drag it. Mimic prey. This “turns on” the part of your dog’s brain that’s wired to chase, catch, and grab.

This concept is the “live rabbit” versus the “dead rabbit" concept. The toy lying still on the ground? That’s the dead rabbit—boring. The one that's bouncing around? That’s the live rabbit—and that’s the one your dog wants.

I demonstrated this idea using nothing more than a stick. The dog didn’t need to love sticks—I just needed to engage the mindset for the chase.

Movement created motivation.

If you're looking for way to get your dog more animated and engaged, give the movement piece a try. Then drop me a comment, video or photo below to share your success!

Have fun with your dog and be Your Dog's Hero!

22/07/2025

Ecollar: Beyond the Basics is open. If you have experience with remote collar training but want to learn and do more, this is for you!

This 7-week, guided course is open to pet owners and professional trainers. All participants receive a weekly webinar, video tutorials, homework assignment, live group call and personalized progress feedback.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧?

✅ Increased confidence: No more worry about the ecollar being too high and overwhelming or too low and not working. Be confident selecting the Just Right™ level for any situation.

✅ Reduced frustration: Receive personalized exercises that improve your dog's ability to work around distractions. Days of chasing the cat or charging the door become a thing of the past!

✅ Reliable obedience and improved manners: Recall, Sit & Down Stays, Loose lead walking, and much more... No more unwanted jumping, counter-surfing, not giving up items, or nuisance barking.

✅ Enormous fun! Discover the key drivers that influence your dog's behavior and utilize them so that training and paying attention becomes something your dog wants to do!

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧?

✅ Increased confidence: Learn the secrets of successful coaching so your clients can easily reproduce techniques and get great results.

✅ Reduced frustration: Discover how your training programs can be tailored to improve success rates and generate additional revenue.

✅ Direct access to Robin for coaching support for a fraction of the price.

✅ Community and networking support: Be connected with like minded trainers who are equally dedicated to honing skills and improving their client's success!

𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:
Class opens August 12th
Group calls begin Monday August 18th (6 pm CST)

Use coupon code: ECOLLAR15 to save 15%
𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 & 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆: https://robinmacfarlane.com/product/ecollar-beyond-the-basics/

Don't miss out, class size is limited!

21/07/2025

I moved to the Des Moines area a couple months ago but was so busy traveling and teaching I didn't have much time to explore.

This weekend I finally got the bike out. Here's a little taste of rural Iowa trails – big sky, pastures, rivers, corn, cows and wildflowers. The dogs and I are going to like it here.

16/07/2025

Well done Drago!

We certainly hope Officer Good Boy got a few extra belly rubs for his efforts.