Robin MacFarlane

12/19/2025

The debate on whether you need or should use certain training tools is exhausting.

I empathize with any pet owner shopping for a dog trainer on the confusion they might be experiencing.

Here is something dog owners should remember while searching:

Talk is cheap, so ask questions.

Two important questions to ask in regard to how well the training will work for you and your dog:

1. Given my goals, lifestyle, physical strength and age, will this technique(s) work for me and my dog?

…Because techniques that aren’t relatively easy for you to replicate are not going to give you good results.

2. What is a reasonable time frame in which I can expect to achieve the training goals I have for my dog?

…Because if someone tells you it’s going to take several months to several years, to get your dog to do simple things like, come when called, walk nicely on leash, or stop jumping on people, you may want to keep shopping for someone that is more results oriented.

Unless you have copious amounts of time to devote to training, the time frame in which you get results matters.

12/15/2025

Ecollar directional training for cockroaches? 🤯

12/11/2025

Boundaries.

I meet with Blu's owners for an in-home consult. This handsome boy is newly adopted into their family and they wanted guidance to get ahead of a few problems that were showing up.

How to deal with some jumping and overly enthusiastic attention seeking were some of the questions, but the larger concern was related to resource guarding behavior.

Blu had a few problem areas he was starting to defend but the most significant was getting into the dishwasher to clean up left overs and then snapping if anyone wanted to move him.

We had a good discussion about resource guarding. It's important to understand it is normal behavior. Every species will resource guard, humans included. It is part of survival instinct.

But normal, doesn't mean desirable. Resource guarding behavior can range from a mild nuisance, to a seriously dangerous problem. It's important to understand the "why" behind it, develop a plan for addressing it and then follow through consistently.

In this case, the solution with the dishwasher was fairly simple. The dog is young, intelligent, biddable and very food motivated. I proposed a boundary solution. We would teach him to remain far enough away from the dishwasher, when it was being loaded, that he would not feel compelled to guard.

We would also teach him that if he cooperated and remained outside of the zone we defined as off limits, he would get food given to him.

When teaching boundaries in a home, I select areas that have a natural delineation so that it is easy and obvious for the dog to recognize the ok zone from the off limits zone. For example, stair and door boundaries are super easy for dogs to learn because they are so well defined from a spatial/visual perspective.

In this case, we selected the space between the fridge and the end of the cupboard. The goal was to teach him he could advance no farther than that opening (until given permission) when we asked him to wait.

In the beginning we used an expandable baby gate to help manage and gradually increased the size of the opening until it was no longer needed. We also kept a drag line attached to ensure safety if he did get to the dishwasher.

This photo was sent to me about a week after his family started practicing the new skill. Drag line is still on, but I'm told he willingly and patiently waits now. Shows no resentment about the dishwasher being opened, loaded, and closed back up and appreciates his "payment" of treats when the chores are all finished.

Good boy Blu, but more importantly...good job to Blu's family!!

Understanding + Effort = being Your Dog's Hero!!

12/09/2025

Thoughts on remote collars and the recent ACVB response to the AVMA.

12/08/2025

Give this a read before you purchase electronic training equipment.

Good information provided by PETT Partnership.

When it comes to dog training tools, quality matters more than most people realize. The electronic dog training collar you choose directly impacts your dog’s learning, safety, and success. Let’s walk through why spending a little more upfront is worth it in the long run.

11/27/2025

Our annual holiday tradition:

First we hike. 🥾
Then the bird is prepped. 🦃
It cooks while we watch the game (Go Pack Go!)

Then the eating begins.

The dogs get the uncooked turkey neck and a few trimmings.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11/20/2025

Who is planning on getting a new puppy over the holiday season?
I'm considering offering a free "How to prepare for your puppy"
Q & A session... so trying to gauge interest.

Drop a comment below if you, or someone you know has a new pet joining the household soon.

This is Dash, he's been participating in the Puppy Program. He's learning all the things about not play-biting, walking nicely on a leash, going potty outside, fun games to play and how to grow up to be a great companion.

11/17/2025

Another article about gps, efencing and it's use for conservation, and cattle management. This one is a more comprehensive read and does a good job explaining both positives, and the current challenges of the technology.

Situated on Montana’s northeastern shortgrass prairie, the remnants of dubious cattle containment methods present a plethora of ills for Leo Barthelmess and his family. Rusty barbed wire and derelict woven-wire sheep fence litter the century-old Barthelmess Ranch, with some strands dating back to ...

11/07/2025

asking for your help...

I've never kept records regarding dates/locations of my workshops or the Ecademy program. I'm reflecting and looking in the rear view mirror a bit and would like a sense of how many events I've taught.

If you could drop a comment of year and location you worked with me and include if it was the Ecademy, a workshop or private mentoring that would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you. 🙏

(sorry for duplicates...this request is cross posted on a couple other profiles also)

Send a message to learn more

11/04/2025

Congrats to the great group of pet owners that completed the 2 day Ecollar - Foundation Workshop this past weekend.

We shared a few laughs, talked through lots of training information and made good progress getting new dogs started on the ecollar and advancing the more experienced ones.

Keep up the great work everyone and remember....the main reason you came is to enhance your dog's ability to "be a dog". Granting the freedom to safely explore off leash is one of the greatest gifts you can provide your pup.

Be Your Dog's Hero!