Top Tip

Enthusiastic Communication is important.

"Are you ready! Get set. Heel!"
"That was so great, Rover!  You came to me SO quickly.  Yay!"

Let them hear the pleasure and love in your voice; it will inspire your dog's focus.

Be cautious about the repetitive "good boy, good boy, good boy" (especially when the dog's response hasn't been that good!); that kind of bland feedback can lose its value over time.

Podcast anyone?

• Hannah Branigan’s Drinking from the Toilet  Tagline: "A Dog Training Podcast for Serious Behavior Nerds"
• Ryan Cartlidge’s Animal Training Academy 
• Absolute dog’s Sexier Than a Squirrel   Tagline: "Dog Training That Gets Real Life Results"
• Sarah Stremming’s Cog-Dog Radio 
• Fenzi Dog Sports Podcast 
• Alexandra Kurland’s and Dominique Day’s podcast on the horse-human bondEquiosity 
• Michael Shikashio's The Bitey End of the Dog A podcast dedicated to helping dogs with aggression issues.
• Susan Garrett's Shaped by Dog 
• Kay Laurence - Learning about Dogs 
• Nick Benger's Dog Talk 

Have you ever thought much about dog breeds?

• Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, and Poodles rate highly in Trainability
• Basset Hounds and Beagles seem to be genetically programmed to be less trainable.
• German Shepherds and Chow Chows are genetically disposed toward high levels of aggression towards strangers, while Greyhounds and Labrador Retrievers inherit a more placid temperament.
• The Cocker Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are extremely affectionate, while Great Pyrenees and Akitas inherit a much more aloof and antisocial propensity.
• Siberian Huskies and Airedales have the highest likelihood to show chasing behaviours while Newfoundlands and Chihuahuas are the least likely to.

Roughly speaking, genetics contribute roughly 50% of behavorial tendencies with the other 50% shaped by a dog's environment, treatment and care (including the treatment and care of a dog's mother), and training.