The Academy Blog

The Mop Up Squad

The Mop Up Squad: Helping dogs harmed by aversive trainers There is a trope—long disproven and actually dangerous for dogs—among those trainers who continue to use aversive stimuli in dog training: they say that they are the only ones who can train aggressive dogs....

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Reality Testing

Reality Testing

Reality Testing by Jean Donaldson    Years ago I was chatting with a friend about the lay of the land in dog training and mentioned that in the US it was still legal to use electric shock on dogs, by anyone and at any time.  She, who is not in dogs, said...

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Buyer Beware! (And “HUSH”?)

Buyer Beware! (And “HUSH”?)

Buyer Beware! (And "HUSH"?) by Kristin Lucey, CTC    It's one of my most common refrains. I say it again and again. I warn; I apologize; I explain; I complain. "Dog training is an unregulated industry." Did you know it may also be an industry that, in some...

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Holidays with Stranger Danger Dogs

Holidays with Stranger Danger Dogs

Surviving the Holidays with Stranger Danger Dogs by Jean Donaldson  With COVID restrictions dwindling and the holidays approaching, families with dogs who are uncomfortable around strangers may be feeling trepidation.  Fear not: you can all survive this and even,...

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The Ethics of Aversives Use

The Ethics of Aversives Use

The Ethics of Aversives UseAcademy director Jean Donaldson and staffer Kristi Benson unpack the argument that all training is "science-based" in this thoughtful conversation. Kristi:Science has given us, as dog trainers (heck, as humans) such an incredible bounty of...

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