By Sarah Stremming, The Cognitive Canine
Dog trainer, blogger, competitor.
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Why do trainers say “no method works for all dogs” if all dogs are governed (like all other organisms) by the laws of learning? Is positive reinforcement a method, or a principle? What about punishment? Is there a “method” that...
In the final installment of The False Dichotomy Sarah and Lisa wrap up their conversation about the “balanced vs force free” falsehood in dog training. Find Lisa Mullinax at www.serenitycanine.com Part Two: https://on.soundcloud.com/h1AtA Part One: https://on.soundcloud.com/9ZRNv Sign up for courses and join the...
In the second (of three!) parts on The False Dichotomy in dog training, Sarah and Lisa get into the weeds regarding what effectiveness looks like, what it truly means to manipulate aversive or appetitive stimuli, and all the nuances involved....
When a research paper regarding dog training is published feelings always abound in the community. Using research to make informed decisions in the field of dog training and behavior is not always easy. Lisa Gunter PhD, CBCC-KA is an assistant...
In this crossover episode with the Functional Breeding podcast, Jessica and Sarah discuss what fear periods in dogs are, and what they aren’t. www.functionalbreeding.org Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Music by AlexGrohl from...
When we bring a new dog into our lives following the death of a cherished companion the feelings can be all over the board. Guilt, joy, sadness, hope, and myriad other feelings can color these experiences. Unpack it all with...
When things go wrong in your dog’s behavior are you to blame? Can you be responsible and NOT to blame? What is the difference? Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Music by AlexGrohl...
Due to technical challenges The False Dichotomy Part 2 is still pending, thank you for your patience and enjoy this relevant replay! Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay
In response to the “trainer wars” between the balanced and force-free communities Sarah and past podcast guest (and friend) Lisa Mullinax sit down to talk about the place where ethics meet efficacy. Lisa and Sarah do not claim a label...
Sarah welcomes Taylor Barconey and Jiovany Alcaide of Smart Bitch Modern Dog Training back to the podcast for a trainer showcase episode! Because Jio and Taylor could not be restricted to just one case they shared three separate cases with...
You might have seen a post titled “Enriched to Death” being shared around social media in the last week. Of course, this is a misnomer because enrichment by definition is life-enhancing. But why is this post viral? Is there a...
Charlotte Hoberg CPDT-KA owns and operates Sit ‘n Stay Training in Maryland. She specializes in reactivity and sport foundations and primarily offers board and train. She trains for and competes in IGP with her personal dogs. For the podcast we...
Join Sarah as she discusses common pitfalls in pre-run rituals for agility (and other sport) dogs. Should you feed a lot of treats before you run? Should you try to minimize your dog’s exposure to the environment? What about tug?...
As a follow-up to the Choice vs Structure episode that aired in January 2023, Sarah dives deeper into how to avoid producing a dog that requires instruction in all environments. Registration for webinar: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/p/success-from-crate-to-gate Sign up for courses and join...
It is a common adage amongst dog trainers: “your dog doesn’t need more exercise, he needs to be trained to relax.” The fear being spread is that by providing more exercise we will create super athletes whose exercise needs are...
Liza Rader is a KPA-CTP and the owner-operator of Focus Dogs in British Columbia. Their special interest in high-drive hunting dogs is why Sarah sat down to ask, “can we train ‘instinct’ sports from a positive reinforcement lens?” It got...
You’ve heard you should give an anxious or otherwise dysregulated dog structure, but you;ve also heard you should give them choice and control. Aren’t these things in conflict? Which camp is right? Sign up for courses and join the...
A rich understanding of how reinforcement works to strengthen behavior is vital for behavior change, and yet there are so many areas of this concept that are misunderstood by dog trainers (hobbyists and professionals alike!). Join Sarah as she explores...
Join Sarah in a system of reflection and goal setting for your dogs in the new year. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay
In the final episode of Cog Dog Radio for the year 2022, Join Sarah in celebrating ten years of The Cognitive Canine and see what’s in store for 2023 and beyond. Classroom: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio IG: @cognitive_canine TT: @ sarahstremming Fb: facebook.com/thecognitivecanine
A surprise podcast to let you know to join me Monday December 12th at noon pacific for some big announcements! IG: @cognitive_canine TT: @ sarahstremming Fb: facebook.com/thecognitivecanine Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/
When we have our dogs in the world it is important that we follow certain “rules” to help them not be a nuisance. Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/
Sarah sat down with Shade Whitesel to talk about finding the right balance between highly adrenalizing activities and calmer more self-regulated ones for our dogs. Find Shade at www.shadesdogtraining.net and on instagram @shadewhitesel Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
In this crossover episode with the Paws and Reward podcast Sarah and Marissa sit down to discuss the many nuanced considerations when utilizing therapeutic setups for dog-directed reactivity. Join Sarah and Marissa for more on this topic in their webinar...
Dogs and kids; not the fantasy some people imagine. What if you already have kids and you want to upgrade to a sportier dog? What if you have sport dogs already and you want to have kids? Are kids and...
Which behavior problems are about training, and which are about lack of maturity? Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Is there a time and a place to intentionally utilize one type of learning over another in dog training? Can you ever be operating in only one learning form? Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
This week explore the question “where does habituation end and flooding begin?” Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
We talk a lot about self regulation and impulse control in dogs and it is past time for us to discuss the very necessary self control it takes for sport trainers to not harm their futures with their bright young...
Repeat guest Lisa Mullinax CDBC and Sarah chat about the special skillset it requires to not only work with but to live with exceptionally challenging dogs. Find Lisa here: https://www.serenitycanine.com/ Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Ash Osborn CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP is the owner-operator of Pawsitive Pups Academy in Omaha Nebraska. With a decade in the field and a lot of picky eaters-turned chow hounds under her belt, she was the ideal guest to talk about the...
Hyper social behaviors, food aversion, recall questions, and more! Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
Join Sarah and cooperative veterinary care expert Monique Feyrecilde in a dynamic discussion about how we can best support our dogs through their veterinary experiences. Find Monique here: My website for information & consults: www.teachinganimals.com My YouTube (tutorial library growing all...
In this crossover episode with the Functional Breeding Podcast, Sarah and Dr Jessica Hekman DVM dive into what the word “functional” actually means when it comes to our dogs. Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
In this crossover episode with the Paws and Reward podcast join Sarah and Marissa Martino in discussion about Marissa’s recent trip to Peru and the life lessons for dog people she found there. Find Marissa at www.pawsandreward.com Cog Dog Classroom:...
It’s been a minute since we talked about barking, and Sarah has a new breed that’s got a lot more voice than her border collies! Learn about the advances in Sarah’s thinking regarding barking, and how she avoids barking in...
Have you ever embarked on a training program and wondered “is this working? How will I know if it will work?” Explore these questions with Sarah through a real life training project of hers. Hint: it’s not about the dog....
Do dogs have self-control? If they do, can we train it? What's different about self-regulation and "impulse control"? Find out in this episode! FDSA Registration: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/people/786-people/faculty/10574-sarah-stremming Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio
What does it mean for dogs to be “hidden potential”? Are they shut down dogs? Stress down dogs? Sick dogs? Unfit dogs? How can we help them? FDSA Registration: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/people/786-people/faculty/10574-sarah-stremming Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/
What are your values when it comes to competing with your dogs? Will you run a dog after an injury? Will you run a dog that is afraid of the judge? If you drove across the country for an event,...
Anyone who has shared their life with an adolescent of any species knows that it’s a tough time for everyone. Learn what you can expect from your young dog and how to best support them--and your relationship--through the difficult 6...
Differential reinforcement is how we build some behaviors and not others. Utilizing a hierarchy of reinforcers can allow us to create a hierarchy of chosen behaviors for our dogs. This is valuable in recalls, in tough shaping projects, and even...
What makes recalls reliable? What breaks them down? All this and more! Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/
Sarah often recommends never allowing dogs to chase wildlife so that they don’t build a reinforcement history for this behavior pattern, but what about the dogs that are hardwired to chase? Do the same principles apply? Alisa Healy is the...
Join Sarah in a dynamic discussion with her strength and fitness coach, Liz Joyce. They talk about splitting, coach and learner responsibility, the power of positive reinforcement, and so much more. Sign up for courses and get to know Liz...
Sarah addresses the viral meme with the quote, “Holding dogs accountable is uncomfortable. But having dogs fail because you won’t teach, confront, or correct is unacceptable.”--Dave Kroyer. Can dogs be accountable for anything? What does that even mean? Why is...
When working with any behavior you’re trying to influence, you can either choose to train it in the context you’ll need it, or you can choose to layer the context in gradually. Which is a better choice, and when? Are...
When is it time to give up? What do we do with bred-to-bite puppies that, well, bite? All this and then some this week. Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Cog Dog Classroom: cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/
In the final installment of Keen, Sarah talks about the case with Keen’s owner Jenna. They go over some things Sarah left out of the first two episodes and where Keen is now. Be sure to join the Q&A about...