Sit Stay Play Michigan

09/05/2025

Photo Friday

Let's see your SLEEPING DOGS!

09/04/2025

It is a common myth that dogs and puppies need to play and interact with many new people and dogs. If your dog does not want to interact, they should be able to say no. If they are over enthusiastic about it, they may be practicing behaviors you don't necessarily want repeated. Teach your dog to just watch. Observe. Do nothing. Take 10 min a day to just go "Be" with your dog and watch the world. Put your phone down and observe your dog. Talk to him or her about what you see - or don't. Just let your dog observe, smell and hear the world.

09/04/2025

09/03/2025

This is summarized from a conversation with Stephen Moore.

We can teach any behavior using reinforcement based methods. There is NEVER a need for a shock collar (e-collar), a prong collar, a choke chain, yelling, spraying with water, etc.. NEVER! It isn't kind and can have big consequences.

09/02/2025

Doing nothing with your dog, in different environments is a great exercise. Do it for 5 - 10 minutes a few times a week. This is an awesome exercise for puppies, but adult dogs can benefit from it as well. If people ask to pet your dog, you can say, "sorry, we are doing a training exercise right now."

08/31/2025

Sunday funny.

08/30/2025

Using electric shock collars on dogs in the twenty-first century might be a competence issue: a trainer may feel dependent on using them and not know how to wean themselves off. It might also be a psychological issue: a trainer might feel competent training without one but prefer shocking dogs. If you think about this latter case, it is either that such trainers either don't see the suffering inflicted or they don't care. If it were a child inflicting pain deliberately on an animal, we'd flag them for possible psycopathy. Child or adult, it's an issue for mental health professionals.

08/29/2025

Photo Friday

Post a photo of your dog that shows us his. / her true personality.

08/28/2025

Sometimes our dog's behavior is so frustrating we just want to "fix" it. What if we focused on what we want to the TO DO, instead of what we want the dog to STOP doing. Then TEACH the dog what behavior you want, and reward that behavior. Break it down and make it easy.

08/27/2025

Having a place to allow your dog to just run and explore can really improve your dog's mental health. If you don't have a fenced yard, or fenced area to let this happen, see if a friend or family member, or your favorite dog trainer, has a space to use. You might be shocked at how much it can help improve some of your dog's pent up energy. What is also important is that YOU are with your dog and letting them know that what they are sniffing and doing is important. Engaging them in play, may be something that helps your dog interact with the new environment. If you have a fenced yard, but never go there to engage in play with your dog - give it a try for a few minutes a day.

I know dog parks are appealing to many people, and may be a great option for many dogs. A lot of dog parks are not safe, and a lot of dogs can not use that option because of fear or other social issues. That is OK! YOu can go when nobody is there, and be the gate keeper and gather your dog and leave if somebody else comes, you can use a long leash (after practicing with it) to allow your dog a bit more freedom.

The photo below is our Clifford on our property in Colorado. (I miss both of them so much!)

My dream is to fence in our property from the parking lot to the edge of the woods. When I win the lottery, you will know! Trees will be removed and fencing will be put up. That will give dogs about 4 acres of pond, grass and woods to explore and romp.