The Academy for Dog Trainers

08/26/2026

"On the other hand, if someone is pressing a button on a shock collar until a dog recalls, I AM going to worry about the welfare of that dog. And that is a common application of Negative Reinforcement."

From the archives, by Tim Steele of Behavior Matters Academy.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/why-we-need-to-modify-the-humane-hierarchy/

08/21/2026

Academy staffer Kristi Benson and Academy grad and author Dr. Zazie Tood share a listen-able, on-the-money conversation about why force-based training should not be normalized. Listen here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2183505/episodes/19661849?fbclid=IwY2xjawT1bBZwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUdhOEVodVpTTnRJWUM1bnZzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEejUWGm0o4IbO3xclDmL4NaafBgwCj3r5-hmMZCdPD-t6uUxQSdMOf51R-eBQ_aem_cA70ln20OsJwu1EP6Msp1Q

Zazie and Kristi chat about what we can do to better advocate for reward-based dog training methods, and some common things that people get wrong.We talk about:The podcast Kristi heard by Rachel Gilmore and why it made her want to talk about this ...

08/19/2026

"Now, I love ‘shiny and new’ as much as the next person, so I admit I find it hard to pass by the gorgeous and evocative marketing materials and the promises of quick results or ‘whole new dog’ that slide by in my social media feeds. But I do resist, and I resist because I care about someone else’s money: my clients."

From the archives, by Kristi Benson.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/new-shiny-objects-can-be-marketing-ploys/

08/12/2026

"While everybody applauds the impulse to reduce fear, anxiety and stress in dogs; excitement of the kids on Christmas morning variety, of the crazed laughing with friends variety, of the dogs racing around or unpacking a puzzle toy variety, is not bad. It’s good."

From the archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/intensity-isn-t-bad/

08/05/2026

"As a dog training professional, you might be saying 'hold on a second here. I’m not scared of dogs. I love dogs. I’ve dedicated my life to dogs!' And yes, all of that is true, too. One doesn’t replace the other. Or more, you may be saying 'um, actually, I’m so un-scared of dogs that I have worrisome level of fearlessness.' But that’s not true, either."

From the archives, by Kristi Benson.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/fear-self-knowledge-and-puffs-of-air/

07/29/2026

"Much of the time, trainers see inappropriate, scrappy puppies trend to become socially normal. This allows these reformed scrappers to continue to play as puppies, which in turn allows them to refine their ABI. (And this is completely aside from the potentially enormous benefits of the puppy being able to engage in dog play with the playmates of their own choosing, an activity that is so pleasurable, enriching, and basic to a social species that it is sometimes used as a shorthand welfare indicator.)"

From the archives, by Kristi Benson.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/acquired-bite-inhibition-and-puppies/

07/28/2026

Tuesday’s lineup at the Doodle Pro Summit features Academicians Kristi Benson on demand barking, Kate LaSala on leash reactivity, Malena DeMartini on separation anxiety myths, and Dr. Zazie Todd on fearful and reactive dogs. Then later this week, Dominika Knossalla-Pado will talk about dogs and children growing up together. Aimed at Doodle parents but relevant to all in applied dog behavior! And note: it’s free to attend live and very affordable to access recordings afterwards.

Save your spot for the Doodle Pro® Summit, Parent Edition. July 27-29, 2026. Three days of complimentary expert training to raise a calmer, happier, healthier Doodle. Join the waitlist now.

07/22/2026

"Je comprends. Vous préférez ne pas utiliser de gâteries pour entraîner votre chien, parce qu’il devrait apprendre les bonnes manières sans recevoir quelque chose en retour. Vous pensez que si vous lui donnez des friandises, vous atténuerez la valeur des récompenses bien plus importantes, comme votre approbation. Vous vous dites qu’il ne saura jamais discerner le bien du mal et que jamais il ne vous respectera. Vous pensez aussi qu’il deviendra dépendant des gâteries et que sans elles, il ne fera plus ce qu’il a appris.

Je comprends. Vraiment."

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/vous-preferez-ne-pas-utiliser-de-gateries/

07/15/2026

"In cases where a management-only solution impacts a dog’s quality of life, and where well-vetted, humane, and aversives-free behaviour modification options exist, we have a double duty as dog trainers. First, we must disclose to our clients that a training option exists, and that the training option will protect or even increase their dog’s quality of life. Second, if our clients then wish to train, we must be proficient at the techniques needed and offer them, or refer on to practitioners who are."

From the archives, by Kristi Benson.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/when-to-train-rather-than-manage-dog-behavior/

07/08/2026

"And we can take heart that reward-based methods are better for animal welfare in two ways: they avoid the risks of stress, fear, and aggression that are associated with aversive methods; and they give the dog positive experiences that contribute to good welfare."

A great post by Academy graduate Dr. Zazie Todd of Companion Animal Psychology, from the archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/the-double-advantage-of-reward-based-training/