Denise Fenzi

The Happy Emotions - A Party for Two

There is a school of thought that suggests dog training is a purely scientific endeavor that relies 100% on a trainer's mechanical skills - a good trainer should be able...
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Lyra 4.75 months: my good dog is back - today anyway

Today I took Lyra for training with a few other trainers, and she was brilliant. She wasn't afraid of anything.  She wasn't hyper attracted to the other people and dogs...
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Lyra 4.75 months

Lyra is the wierdest puppy I've ever raised.  Certainly she is helping me understand what is meant by a "fear period," because her ups and downs are much more pronounced...
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The Twelve Days of Christmas - (puppy home and garden version)

On the First day of Christmas my puppy gave to me: A Poopee in the Laundry On the Second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me: Two Traumatized sheep...
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Lyra 4.5 months - I Want My Good Puppy Back

Right now, Lyra has about one great session for every three mediocre ones.  There seem to be several things going on. For starters, she's teething.  I think that makes her...
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Lyra 4.5 months - a bit of precision work and introduction to the stick

Today I removed two of Lyra's teeth playing tug.  That second tooth forced me to admit that I need to put the toy away.  Regretfully.  What can I say; besides...
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What is Possible?

Recently I heard an interview with a very well known competitor/trainer.  He said "positive training works with dolphins.....it is not possible to train a dog without physical contact; it's a...
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Lyra - Working Through Fear

Today’s blog post was supposed to be a video illustration on teaching a dog to “out” (let go) of a toy. Lyra had other ideas.  She decided that my video...
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