Dog Encounters
As a dog trainer, I am constantly bombarded with yapping, snarling, or just very playful dogs. In the beginning, I paid much more attention to the dog that was approaching us (my dog and I), than I did to my dog. Now, if the dog is aggressive (I encounter extremely aggressive dogs sometimes), then I definitely pay more attention to …
Me and my Horse
Me and my horse, Oliver, a few years ago. When I got him he was a very flighty, spooked horse. Being able to communicate together, and from behind him, was a huge triumph for both him and me. Zone “5” is the area behind a horse’s tail. I hope this video inspires you and/or gives you some ideas.
The True Judge
“When you finish your ride and you get down from the saddle, it isn’t the people who watched you ride, the officials at some event or exhibition who have any right to judge you. The real thing that matters, the true judge of your ability as a horseman is standing next to you. It is the horse who will tell …
Important to the Horse
“‘Anybody can force a horse to do what they want (…), but if you force him to do it, it won’t be important to him to do it right. He’ll do it almost right some of the time. He’ll do just enough to get by. But if you show him what you want and then reward him when he does …
Slow Dog, Fast Dog
Asking an animal to move faster than they are comfortable with can cause stress, but what about asking them to go slower than they want to? I was training with my poodle (as a guide dog for the blind) in the city today – the middle of Frankfurt. We both prefer to walk “fast” and really pace ourselves. I met …
Foundation Training
Problems that come up at a walk and trot, won’t go away when you’re going faster. When I (re)start horses (mustangs, colts, or horses who have not been handled in a friendly way), I focus on tension and misunderstandings while the horse is standing or walking. When I find tension there – if the horse is pulling on the lead …
Learning by Doing
If you want to chase a Bison – go ahead and try. I was listening to this audiobook about a man and his dog. It was the man’s first dog and he, unintentionally, let his dog find out for (and train) himself not to chase and bother wild animals. It set a strong contrast between (if I put it in …
Snow “Agility Course!”
Well, it snowed today! In my world that means: time to make snow-made obstacles for my dog. So my boyfriend and I made a few simple structures (a tunnel, two jumps, and a pedestal) and filmed some of the fun we had. Enjoy!