Good Dogs! ™: Recent Episodes
Tracie Hotchner
Dog Training is People Training
All dogs are GOOD DOGS! We believe it is people who have to be educated to understand dogs on their terms, to "bring out the good" in each dog so we can live together harmoniously. This show explores all aspects of communication between people and dogs --- whether they are K-9 partners in military work, purpose-bred and trained service dogs, competitors in dog sports, or pets --- from a newly-adopted senior dog or young puppy.
Tracie is joined by co-host Carol Borden, a veteran of 60 years training people to train dogs. She is the founder of Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs, which has trained dogs through her college accredited/VA approved curriculum to work inside the Pentagon and other Department of Defense facilities alongside disabled staff members. Carol has also personally competed in the demanding sport of Schutzhund and has trained ex-military and police K-9 handlers to work at Guardian Angel training service dogs.
NOTE: The first 77 GOOD DOGS! shows in the library were co-hosted by Tracie with three veteran trainers --- Gayle Watkins, Lise Pratt and Marcy Burke --- who bred agility performance Golden Retrievers.
6032-REV: Marcy Burke discusses what real aggression is — and what the solution might be for the owners of an aggressive French Bulldog in New Jersey who has bitten several people.
6029-REV: Breeders and trainers often look at an individual dog’s personality as inborn and categorize dogs into different canine personality traits like bold, soft and exuberant. If you didn’t get your dog as a puppy, then it’s hard to know how much her natural tendencies have been shaped by her environment — was it nature, nurture or a combination of the two? (Like all of us!)
6025-REV: There are three categories of scent work for dogs: tracking (you can join a club to learn how to teach your dog to track humans), nose work (which mimics the identification of drug, bomb and other contraband) and fun games at home (like Easter egg hunt types of hide and seek.)
6021-REV: How to decide which will be better for you and your dog — to learn in a class or by yourselves? There are pros and cons to both, but maybe a combination of the two might work best, if you can afford it.
6019-REV: Lise explains her term about training and the “light bulb moment” people have when understanding their dog — which she calls a BFO — Blinding Flash of the Obvious. She also explains how puppies learn bite control and what to do if yours never learned it — the way Tracie's pooch Maisie had never done when she first adopted her at 9 months.
6073-REV: Trainer Marcy Burke says people don’t really understand what an “alpha dog” really means since an ”alpha dog” is never aggressive — because they don’t need to be! Marcie discusses what makes an “alpha dog” tick.
6068-REV: Trainer and Golden breeder Lise Pratt speaks about letting your dog’s individual personality quirks flourish. What less-than-perfect behavior can you allow? How to manage behavior that could make other people uncomfortable? Dogs only understand black and white --- not gray --- so you have to be consistent in what, when and where you allow behaviors.
6072-REV: Dogs will not forget a bad first meeting with another dog — so we have to make sure it never happens! Gayle Watkins talks about the importance of introductions between dogs — and how we can cause dog aggression between dogs because we are nervous and communicating tension down the leash with how we set up the meeting. Best advice for a successful first meeting is to have both dogs on leash and go for a walk. Keep moving, keep the dogs on the outside and the people next to each other. The dogs should not touch, but walk side by side at a distance from each other and very quickly they will have their noses down and will ignore each other.
6026-REV: What’s the truth about dog parks? Are they fun or dangerous? Maybe a little of both! Gayle Watkins warns about the serious dangers in a dog park, offers potentially life-saving advice and cautions to never take a puppy before 9 months of age because puppies are not socially wise until then.
Mallory Galatzer-Levy (The Right Paw in Auburn, MA) discusses evaluating puppy personalities in Shikari Vizsla litters to determine best fit for potential owners
Housecall veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sarah Cutler on handling "aggression issues" with dogs, avoid demonizing dogs, who are usually reacting from fear
Carol Borden offers tips on how to stop a dog's frequent barking by changing dog's focus, offering treats, practicing frequently in low key situations
Stephanie Rousseau on shortcomings of flat collars with a leash, slip collars, prong collars and "anti-pull" harnesses, and why she prefers ergonomically perfect Haqihana harness
Carol Borden on what can lead to a service dog "washing out" of her training program, and treating reactive issues to feared objects with "bridging" technique
Stephanie Rousseau ("How to Raise a Puppy: Dog-Centric Approach") on inviting new puppy into your bed, how co-sleeping is normal and healthy for all mammals, how dogs are "social sleepers"
Ethologist Kim Brophey confirms certain dog breeds are genetically inclined toward certain behaviors
Carol Borden explains why the winter holidays are the worst time to bring a puppy into a household, too much social activity when a puppy needs predictable routine, close attention
Carol Borden and Tracie discuss how children can be threatening or distressing for a dog, and how to eliminate risk of dog bites
Carol Borden on acclimating your dog to the vet clinic by getting dog used to being handled, give treats, have positive attitude, and advocate for your dog with staff
Carol Borden on how to handle a dog who is fearful, mitigate his discomfort with whatever frightens him, patiently introducing one piece at a time
Dog trainer Kim Brophey (“The Dog’s Truth”) on improving human-canine bond, expectation of each dog
Carol Borden on life-long dream of having their own vet hospital for all their service dogs, which has come true, The Borden Veterinary Hospital at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
Good Dogs! (08-24-2022) #6112 Carol Borden and Tracie discuss what is physically possible --- and what is humane --- in managing a young puppy\'s potty needs. They agree that a puppy needs to be taken out every few hours when young and always before and after any activity. They stress the urgency of a puppy\'s need to get outside to tinkle immediately upon awakening, eating or playing --- and how taking him to the same spot every time and praising him will set him up for a lifetime of success.
How to teach your dog to conduct himself in a polite way when approaching people and/or dogs
Should we allow our dogs more freedom to make choices about what they want to do with or without us?
Carol Borden on clicker training and why it's not a good tool for human-dog communication
Carol Borden and Tracie discuss misconception that dogs be taught to express themselves by pressing speech buttons
Carol Borden (Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs) on winning the Vetty Award, and dedication to preventing suicide in veterans
Good Dogs! (05-04-2022) #6105: Trainer Julie Forbes (of the video training series \"Puppyhood with Julie Forbes\") discusses what it requires to be called a dog trainer (not much) and how owners can find a kind yet firm trainer for them and their dogs.
Puppy Series #9: Dog trainer Julie Forbes on how each dog makes an association --- positive or negative --- about places & things based on his personality
Good Dogs! (03-02-2022) #6103: Carol Borden and Tracie talk about how to have your puppy be a good, safe, happy passenger in the car. Without getting car sick!
Julie Forbes (Puppyhood with Julie Forbes) on housetraining puppies, why you should not reward them for "going potty"
Julie Forbes (Puppyhood with Julie Forbes) on managing a puppy's chewing, making chews available everywhere in house puppy goes
Julie Forbes (Puppyhood with Julie Forbes) on figuring out a puppy's individuality, which influences how to interact and teach them effectively
Tracie and Carol Borden talk about the ways people disregard common sense and safety when traveling with dogs in their cars
The moral quandary of wanting "good dogs" yet disregarding their essential dogness in molding responsive, obedient companions
Good Dogs! (12-01-2021) #6097: Tracie talks to Elaine Berg, the founder of Golden Rule Dog Training, who specializes in aggressive dog behavior. Elaine discusses the what/why/how of dogs who show aggression toward people --- what it is, why it happens, how to handle it. She and Tracie also discuss dog aggression towards wildlife and how to avoid and manage those situations.
Carol Borden and Tracie discuss why puppies nip or bite and how to steer them away from this unwanted behavior, and how to raise well-adjusted enjoyable puppy
Carol Borden on teaching your puppy command to either let go of something he has put in his mouth or not pick it up in the first place
Carol Borden on how to manage a puppy's (or any age dog's) enthusiasm when the doorbell rings or people visit to prevent jumping
Good Dogs! (10-06-2021) #6093: Guest co-host Elaine Berg of Golden Rule Dog Training in Evergreen, Colorado, specializes in working with aggressive dogs. She returns to talk about what to do if an aggressive dog comes at you and your dog. She recommends having a small portable umbrella (Totes or any brand) along with your poop bags and leash and describes how to use it to protect yourself and your pooch.
Elaine Berg (Golden Rule Dog Training) on how we misunderstand aggression in managing a dog's behavior
Carol Borden on teaching puppies how to walk properly with and without a leash or harness
Carol and Tracie bemoan the problem of people showing little regard for the origin of their puppy when they decide to get one, enabling irresponsible breeders and "dog farming."
Good Dogs! (07-21-2021) #6089: Carol Borden\'s Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs received an enormous honor in being chosen from among numerous nonprofit organziations serving veterans (and not just animal-related services) for their succesful work in suicide prevention. Tracie and Carol talk about how dogs are trained to interrupt a mental/emotional down spiral in their person. They also talk about the definition of a true service dog, and the problem with general misunderstandings of how highly trained these dogs are in their work with their disabled person.
Carol discusses the importance of genetics on any dog's behavior and personality, and how she breeds German Shepherds to be service animals
Carol explains the laws and ethics of what constitutes a true service dog, compared to emotional support animals and therapy dogs
Carol and Tracie discuss "proper play" with a dog, how it's not okay to bat a dog around the head, the right way to play tug of war, and physically unsafe games
Continuing conversation about South Carolina cop who manhandled his K-9 partner when he thought no one was looking, and paying attention to abuse wherever it occurs
Part 1 of 2: Aimee Sadler discusses with Tracie the shocking "training event" in which a police K-9 officer assaults his own K-9 partner
Carol Borden discuss the terrible decision-making that happened after the Biden's younger German Shepherd, Major, bit a Secret Service agent.
Carol and Tracie discuss consistency as key to good communication with your dog and successful training, the problems that arise from giving a dog mixed messages
Discussing the various ways the President and his wife, Jill, seemed not to have considered the stress on their dogs of moving into the Whtie House
Carol Borden on training German Shepherd dogs to become invaluable companions to people with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, diabetes, seizure disorder, and mobility challenges.
Understanding dog friendships. What makes dogs good friends? How to judge compatibility.
How to let your dog’s individual personality quirks flourish while managing behavior that could make other people uncomfortable
Gayle Watkins from Avidog on how to teach a dog to be calm in a vehicle and how you want him to behave
Marcy's (Avidog International) tips for finding a reputable breeder if you’re looking for a purebred puppy
Gayle from Avidog International explains a dog’s “prey drive” and how to prevent aggression between dogs by "interrupting the hunt."
Good Dogs! (01-09-2017) #6063: Lise from Avidog International discusses adolescence in dogs. At 18 months the “true dog” emerges and s/he is now becoming the dog s/he is meant to be. Tracie laments the change in her own 18 month old, Wanda and her prey drive towards other dogs. Lise explains that going after something smaller creates a chemical reaction in the brain that is so exciting that the dog can become deaf and dumb to your attempts to your attempts to stop her. The trick is to interrupt it before it is triggered.
Kristen Collins (ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center) discusses rehabilitating dogs suffering from severe fear due to puppy mills, hoarding, and other cruelty
Health benefits of delayed spaying of a female dog and the challenges of dealing with a bitch in heat
Can separation anxiety affect a dog later in life? How changing your exiting behavior may help your dog cope.
Dog trainer focuses on recognizing the individual personality, discusses "rewarding nothing"
Marcy discusses re-homing issues and how it affects resident pets, being prepared for the worst.
Dog Hugging Debate: Naturalist and professor Marc Bekoff discusses his pro-hugging article from psychologytoday.com
Do face-to-face encounters, close holding and direct eye contact mean the same thing to a dog as they do to a person?
Tracie gets info on recognizing/managing young Wanda's first heat; health & protective benefits of delayed spaying
Rewards: A dog needs to wonder when the reward is coming and anticipation is what drives the behavior
Perspective on “Sit Stay” and how most of us don't recognize “stay” should be implied in every “sit” until you release the dog
How you can verify dog breeder records and claims, re: OFA clearances and previous AKC champions
Discussion of Cesar Millan’s provocation of a dog bite (no-win situation for dog); old school temperament/personality testing
Best ways to introduce a new dog to your family; can you overcome lack of socialization; trusting your gut for a "good fit"
Misconception about connection between feeding human food to a dog and begging at table; dog’s need for omega-3 essential fatty acids
Good Dogs! (03-09-2015) #6038: On-leash and off-leash bad behavior towards other dogs, reading dog body language