Top Dogs: The Importance of Winning

02/07/14 • 14 min

Training our dogs is like a game of charades. We're just trying to get them to do the thing we're trying to teach them. But who wins and who loses? Well, since we're the ones running the game, I guess we get to decide. How often does your dog win? How often do they lose? Do they know the difference? You bet they do! Dogs who feel like "winners" are more likely to want to work with you. No one likes losing, after all.

Previous Episode

Three Dogs On A Hill

It was Autumn and there were dogs flying up and down the hill in our back yard. It's a tradition here at our home to let the dogs get their exercise by scrambling up and down the hill in some spirited play. Their recent romp out back reminded me just how important play is for dogs and how much we can learn by just watching them play with each other. Every graceful movement and spit-filled bark is filled with life affirming joy!

Next Episode

3 Important Lessons in Dog Training

While I have learned a great deal from books by Karen Pryor, Jean Donaldson, John Bradshaw, and many others, my greatest education in dogs and dog training came from teachers much lower to the ground. My dogs have taught me the most important things about training and dog behaviour. I wasn't always the best student, but their patience has helped me learn some of the most important lessons of all!