Bright Pet Behavior and Training LLC

04/26/2023

https://eileenanddogs.com/blog/2017/08/10/why-prong-collars-hurt/?fbclid=IwAR3lAzVmJ2QQ0cpVhaosA8Imj6NP1yyoLEzEZgmGTcTRLQMV8OWSAVQJ9ws

The plain mathematical facts about prong collars compared to flat collars.

04/10/2023

Trainer Spotlight! Melissa is a certified professional dog trainer who has been training animals for nearly 20 years. After majoring in animal science at UC Davis, she started her career working with renowned veterinarian and behavior specialist Dr Sophia Yin. During 8 years with Dr Yin, she gained experience with complex behavior cases, advanced training skills, low stress handling in a veterinary setting, and professional client coaching skills. Melissa then joined the behavior team at an urban, high-volume animal shelter in Washington, DC, where she evaluated and trained dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, in addition to cats and small animals. She then wanted to expand her skills and experience and joined Medical Mutts in Indiana, where she trains service dogs for people with various disabilities. As Director of Training, she oversees the training of service dogs at the facility, develops training materials, travels to shelters and rescues to assess dogs for the program, and extensively coaches clients on how to train their own service dog. In her free time, Melissa has trained and competed in flyball, rally, and scent work with her 3 dogs; Niko, Roo and Dug. She has also fostered and found homes for over a hundred animals over the years, from ferrets and guinea pigs to dogs and cats. She regularly attends seminars and conferences to keep up to date on the latest training techniques and theories. Melissa is now hoping to use her vast knowledge and experience to help families improve their relationship with their pets through clear communication, understanding of species-specific needs, and fun and effective training methods. Melissa is also a CGC evaluator.

04/03/2023

03/28/2023

Another of our favorite pattern games from the AMAZING Leslie McDevitt!!! 🦄

Pattern Games: Super Bowls 🥣

Super Bowls is a game that comes from Leslie McDevitt’s extremely popular “Control Unleashed” series. This is a pattern game. Pattern games are simple sets of exercises that provide a structured and predictable pattern to help dogs adjust to changes in their environment.

❗You Need
✅2-5 plates or bowls
✅High value treats
✅Your dog 🤗

Step 1: Teach the Game

⭐Set out 2-5 plates with a 6’ distance between each plate

⭐ Place a treat on one plate and let your dog eat it

⭐When your dog looks at you, return eye contact, smile, and walk to the next plate

⭐Place a treat on that plate

😀When they look up at your, return eye contact, smile, and walk to the next plate

▶️ Repeat until you can go all the way down the line and back to the first plate

Once you have completed the sequence three times, proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: Change the environment or stations

🔂 Repeat the game in a very mildly distracting environment. Instead of using plates, use any station outside that is naturally recurring like park benches, cars parked along the sidewalk or poured cement sidewalk blocks, trees, or lamp posts.

💡If your dog engages with something in the environment prior to looking up at you, just wait. Let them process the environmental change before returning their attention to you.

💡If your dog is unable to return to the game, they are not ready to be this close to distractions yet or the environment is too overwhelming.

Your pup must be having fun in low distraction and low-stress environments before moving to more stimulating environments. 😄