For the final four episodes of Cog Dog Radio in the year 2024 we are focusing on overlooked or misunderstood areas of healing in the world of dog behavior. Unsurprisingly these are concepts our society and culture could stand to better embrace. For the first in this series we will explore adult friendship, whether dogs need friends or not, and what…

A panacea is a cure-all, a remedy that is said to mend everything. Common in the wellness industry and also in dog training, holding any one program or practice as a panacea is a major red flag. We can learn as consumers to avoid this, and we can also be sure we are not doing it as practitioners. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: sa…

Sarah has a teenager! Join her as she walks through some recent challenges and triumphs with her 18 month old border collie, Carson. If you have a teen, work with folks who do, or plan to have one in the future, this one will be vital. Knowing how to respond, what to avoid, and what is normal, will all help! https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign…

In the “Hands off the Cookies!” episode from 10/29 Sarah talked about transactional and conversational communication styles. Here, she dives deeper into those as well as managerial communication, and where each is best utilized with our dogs. https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassro…

We talked last week about good coaching and teaching, but what does it look like to be easily coached? What does the client need to bring to the table in order for a behavior modification plan to work? It takes sacrifice, honesty, and commitment for this stuff to work, but what does that actually look like? https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign …

Principles of good coaching skills are the same as principles of good dog training skills. How long to train, when to give feedback, and how to bring your best self to a session are all matters of utmost importance. Whether you coach people professionally or receive coaching from others (or both!) this one is for you.https://sarahstremming.com/prod…

We, the trainers of R+landia, use a lot of food. But there are so many times when we are unwise to do so, and in fact when food can be a damaging part of the equation. If you think slinging treats is always a good idea, or if you find yourself throwing food whenever you are in doubt, this one is for you. https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up …

When the internal system is unstable the external systems must step up to support that system. Meaning, when chronic health concerns or even just a highly specialized mind are part of the dog you are trying to care for, you have to show up with strong external systems of support to help them thrive. https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for c…

Pain is frequently a component of behavior cases and not often discussed from a behavior consultant’s viewpoint. But pain is not strictly a medical concern and the behavior field at large needs to know how to approach it from our skillset. Scratch the surface on this meaty topic with Sarah as she dives into pain as an individual experience and expl…

When Sarah says to her students “everything bleeds” she means that the dog’s way of solving problems will be universal for the dog; it will bleed into everything the dog does. There are three general types of problem solving that dogs can bring to the table, and some of them are more beneficial to us than others. Walk with Sarah through a discussio…

If you are a behavior consultant, or a person who has sought behavior consulting for their dog, you know that the emotions of the guardian attached to the dog can either help or hinder the process. Join Sarah in conversation with Marissa Martino CDBC of Paws and Reward in a dynamic discussion about the feelings on the human end of the leash. Practi…

In the third and final installment of the Understanding Reinforcement series, Sarah tackles natural and contrived contingencies. The natural contingency driving your dog’s behavior is important for you to know about and leverage. Many natural contingencies are about avoidance, while our contrived contingencies tend to be about acquisition. Superimp…

Behavior consulting skills are vast and way too varied to cover all in one episode. But Sarah and friend of the podcast Lisa Mullinax CDBC of Serenity Canine in Seattle Washington are an ambitious bunch, and they went for it in this episode. From coaching to planning, assessing risk to troubleshooting and so much more, join them in this journey dow…

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 these misunderstandings and offers tips and insights you can use right away. https://sarahstremmi…

In the second installment of three part series exploring the nuances of reinforcement Sarah dives into negative reinforcement. Can negative reinforcement be part of a humane training plan? If so, when is it best utilized? All this, practical application, and more. https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the membership here:…

In the first of a three part series exploring nuances of reinforcement, Sarah talks about what she calls the 1:1 ratio of behavior : reinforcement. When we are training or maintaining behavior we need to always maintain a 1: 1 ratio and what that looks like varies based on the learner, the task, and the payout. A seemingly simple unit of behavior m…

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?https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradioMusic by AlexGro…

We talk a lot about “management” in dog training but what is it, actually? When is management just training? When is training NOT management? Is this all just semantics? All this and more with Julianna DeWillems. www.instagram.com/jwdogtrainingwww.dogwise.comwww.jwdogtraining.comhttps://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the m…

Do dogs need to tolerate frustration to live successfully in the human world? Do they need to tolerate frustration in order to be successful in sports? What even IS frustration tolerance? https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon…

Should dog trainers be training dogs, or is it ok for us to focus our efforts elsewhere? Are sports the best inroad to hands-on work? What standards should we hold our mentors to, and should we have mentors? All this and more with industry leader Kelly Gorman Dunbar. Find Kellyhttps://www.kellydunbardogtraining.com/FB private training group: https:…

As a field (and as dog owners), we are often talking about different things when we refer to “separation anxiety.” But is isolation phobia the same as hyperattachment? Are some dogs just upset about confinement, and not about isolation? And what about FOMO? Buckle up for a nuanced and in-depth conversation about the entire suite of behaviors we cal…

McCarthyism in US history names a time when unfounded persecution availed. Being afraid to show our training or speak about what we are doing is the current era of dog training because of similar unfounded persecution. When dog trainers accuse each other of not being positive enough, as is rampant in dog social media circles, we only serve to harm …

In this crossover episode with The K9 Conservationists Podcast, Sarah sits down with Kayla Fratt CDBC to discuss a recent problem Kayla faced in the field with her detection dog Barley. What started as a conversation via text between friends became an educational and geeky conversation about what to do when things go wrong, how we can adjust behavi…

As behavior professionals we need to be proficient in the areas of environmental management, enrichment, and also dog training. But we are not a master of all three we might lean too heavily on one or two of them while forgoing the third, sometimes to the detriment of the case. Join Sarah in an exploration of each of these areas through the lens of…

In this episode Sarah outlines what she did to change her personal dog’s behavior regarding horseback riders. Once a shrieking, lunging, inconsolable mess, now a model trail citizen, Rayya the Icelandic Sheepdog is the star of this episode. https://sarahstremming.com/products/Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom…

In the third and final (maybe?) installment of the least intrusive principle series Sarah explores what choice and agency have to do with intrusiveness. Degrees of freedom: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379412099_The_Benefits_of_Considering_Degrees_of_Freedom_in_the_Zoo_Animal_Communityhttps://equineclickertraining.wordpress.com/2020/02/…

In this second installment exploring the principle of least intrusiveness Sarah explores her own checklist for being sure her behavior change plans are low on the intrusion scale and still high in effectiveness. This is the practical application episode that relies on the listener having already worked through the part one episode. https://sarahstr…

The dog training and behavior industry is all abuzz with the conversation of ethics. A field that largely adhered to the LIMA (least intrusive, minimally aversive) principle is now divided once more on this stance. But what does it truly mean to be least intrusive? Doesn’t “least intrusive” imply minimally aversive? Do we need a new model entirely,…

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? All this and more, and check out the Crate to Gate webinar either as part of the Ringside Skills bundle OR as part of yo…

The second half of Sarah’s conversation with Monique Feyrecilde, a licensed veterinary technician with a specialty in behavior whose book Cooperative Veterinary Care is finally available for purchase. In this episode Sarah and Monique get deeper into things that can be practically done to help dogs that struggle at the vet, as well as a few philoso…

Join return guest Monique Feyrecilde, a licensed veterinary technician with a specialty in behavior to discuss all things support for dogs in the vet clinic. The long-awaited second edition of her book Cooperative Veterinary Care is here, and Sarah could not wait to discuss it on the podcast with Monique. From simple things that can be done right a…

Is it ok to withhold toys to produce more drive for them? Are we sometimes producing welfare deficits to our advantage with our sport dogs? The answers might surprise you. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradioMusic by AlexGrohl from Pixabay…

If you have worked with Sarah in person you might have heard her tell a handler “only one of you is allowed to be a shitshow.” This is her tongue in cheek way of communicating the when the environment is challenging, at least one end of the leash must have the skills to face those challenges. Of course, in an ideal world, both the dog and handler h…

Barking never means one thing; we always have to consider the conditions under which barking is occurring to know how to best respond. Some dogs are perfectly happy while barking, and some are distressed. And what about the social pressure to keep our dogs quiet? Sarah’s renewed thoughts on barking, thanks to her Icelandic Sheepdog, Rayya, are here…

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 as trainers (neither balanced nor force-free), and have both undergone an evolution in the behavior field that has …

Not a junior? Don’t know any kids? This podcast is still for you. The refreshing take on our sport from Sasha Zitter and Benah Stiewing will be music to your ears. Boundless Juniors Agility Company is a nonprofit organization focused on elevating the experience of junior handlers in agility, and it is so much more. Enjoy! https://www.bjacamp.com/Si…

Stop! Before listening, go watch this SNL skit about Surprise Party Sue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4R1yybhmHgOk, now, is Sue a dog you know? Maybe Sue is your dog. Maybe she is a client’s dog. This skit is something Sarah uses to explain to her clients how their dogs are behaving, and from there discussions like “is this ok/normal?” and also…

Is fetch a problem? Does fetch cause problems? Is chasing a ball different from marking and finding a bumper? Can we utilize retrieving in beneficial ways? All this and more as Sarah explores the popular dog owner game of “fetch” with friend of the podcast Liza Rader KPA-CTP of Focus Dogs in British Columbia. focusdogs.ca @focusdogs Click here for …

One of Sarah’s most popular episodes of all time, this episode explores the ethical and effective role punishment might play in a least-intrusive, minimally-aversive (LIMA) framework. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradioMusic by AlexGrohl from …

Sarah is joined this week by assistant professor of psychology at Boston College, Dr Angie Johnston. Angie is the director of the Canine Cognition Center and Social Learning Laboratory, where she compares human and dog learning, studies the ways dogs learn from humans, and so much more. Find more here: sites.bc.edu/doglabSign up for courses and joi…

Working with stranger-directed aggression cases can be dangerous because, as the professional on the case, you are also the dog’s trigger (and potential target). Join Sarah in conversation with Lisa Mullinax CDBC of Serenity Canine–an expert in stranger-directed aggression in dogs–to learn about the steps professionals can take to help everyone sta…

The old ways of “free” shaping behaviors are out and the much-improved process of shaping via component parts is in. Join Sarah in conversation with Tromplo founder Agnieszka Janarek for a discussion that goes into frustration, resilience, and core skills as a way of life. Find Agnieszka at Tromplo: www.tromplo.com And on instagram @tromplo Sign up…

Do dogs need to be trained to relax, or will they relax when their needs are met? Should they be asked to relax if their needs haven’t been met? Where can we draw the line between taught relaxation and exercise? All this and then some. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https:/…

We all want to help our dogs experience less stress at the vet, and there is actually some scientific data to support two ideas that some might already be doing naturally: avoiding lobbies and staying with dogs through procedures. Break down the research, and also get into some of the culture of vet med with geneticist and veterinarian Dr Jessica H…

Amy Cook, PhD is a dog behavior consultant extraordinaire and she sat down to chat with Sarah about the importance of planned, trained, and rehearsed management strategies for navigating the world with reactive dogs. http://playwaydogs.com/https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/courses/7467Sign up for courses and join the membership here: …

Sarah welcomes Erin Marion aka Down to Earth Dog Lady to the podcast to talk about working with dogs who are deaf, blind or both. The conversation takes several rich and unexpected turns, so you won’t want to miss it. As Sarah recently learned, you might not think you need any special skills pertaining to deaf or blind dogs, until you do! Find Erin…

You will do best to train your dog for the real life scenarios they will face, rather than complain about how hard those scenarios are. In the world, at the vet, or in sports, we must train our dogs how to cope with or respond to the very real things that will happen to them. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom…

After 20 years in the field of dog training and behavior, Sarah has learned a few things about the inner workings of a dog business. One thing that she sees her colleagues struggle with is managing criticism and complaints, so she has her tips on this for you today. Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.…

Happy New Year! Let’s talk about all the trophies you won’t receive, but that you do actually deserve. Plus, a special patreon question! Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradioMusic by AlexGrohl from Pixabay…

The way agility classes are run directly affects the success dog and handler teams experience in the trial environment, and the safety of those environments. Join Sarah and FX Agility’s Megan Foster as they discuss how agility class instructors can best support their students to improve trials for everyone involved. Find Megan at https://fxagility.…