When is a Dog Off-Leash Ready?
On a recent morning photo walk at a local park, I spotted an animal racing up a hillside. Was it a coyote? A bobcat? Nope! It was a blur...
top of page
Search
Nicole Wilde
Jan 18, 20233 min read
When Dogs are Riding a Stress High
I was walking at the park with a friend recently when we ran into a man walking his dog. I had chatted with the man on other occasions,...
4,855 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
Nov 17, 20222 min read
When Hand Signals Come in Handy
Often when I’m working with training clients, they seem impressed that their dog can respond to a hand or arm motion alone without a...
378 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
Oct 31, 20223 min read
When Walking Your Dog is Downright Scary
If you have a dog who is reactive to other dogs, going for a walk can be a scary experience. There you are, wanting to get some exercise...
459 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
Sep 13, 20223 min read
What Constitutes a Deal-Breaker?
I recently had a training call from a woman who was very distraught. Between crying jags, she explained that she was afraid she was going...
1,311 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jul 19, 20222 min read
What are "Red Zone" Dogs, Really?
If you’ve watched television in the last 10 years or kept abreast of dog training culture, you’ve probably encountered the term red zone...
1,588 views27 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jul 11, 20222 min read
Do Older Dogs Care Less?
You might be familiar with the adage about how, as we get older, we care less about what people think about us. I wonder if the same...
585 views6 comments
Nicole Wilde
Mar 3, 20213 min read
What To Do When Your Dog Won't Comply
It’s all too easy to get frustrated when your dog doesn’t comply with a request, or worse, doesn’t even pay attention to you. I mean,...
852 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
Feb 3, 20215 min read
Pandemic Pups Part II: Separation Anxiety
Part I of Pandemic Pups discussed the challenges of socialization during the pandemic and offered tips on how to make it work. In this...
585 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jan 16, 20202 min read
Startle…and Attack?
Dogs have an instinctive startle reflex, just like humans do. Upon hearing a loud noise or being touched when not expecting it, most of...
271 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
May 23, 20192 min read
Frustration Tolerance
Have you ever been in the supermarket and seen a child pointing at something on the shelf, imploring his mom to buy it? The mom says no....
273 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Mar 28, 20193 min read
Should You Expect Total Compliance from Your Dog at All Times?
In a recent conversation with another dog owner, I heard this phrase: “She’s being a little s#*%!” When I asked what the woman meant, she...
57 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Mar 21, 20193 min read
Walk This Way
I remember a conversation I had a while back with a friend whose dog Charley, a 3-year-old Lab, is a big lug of a sweetheart. On walks,...
84 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Feb 21, 20193 min read
When “Come!” Means “Run the Other Way!”
Here’s a conversation I’ve had many times over the years with owners of small dogs: “He won’t come when I call him. He’s so stubborn!” ...
81 views5 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jan 9, 20194 min read
Learned Helplessness
Bob and Molly have a female spaniel mix named Ginger. Ginger is known to have fear issues, specifically, a fear of Bob. This Bob-o-phobia...
113 views9 comments
Nicole Wilde
Dec 18, 20183 min read
Sudden Changes in Behavior
I recently received an email asking for a training referral. The sender had two senior dogs, and the younger of the two was suddenly...
69 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Nov 28, 20183 min read
Is This Dog Truly Aggressive?
A two-year-old dog is adopted from a rescue. The dog has not had any socialization. He does not seem to know how to play with other dogs,...
51 views7 comments
Nicole Wilde
Sep 7, 20183 min read
Of Hanging Dogs and Unheeded Advice
This morning, I saw a man hang his dog. Granted, the dog was wearing a body harness, but it was still disturbing to see the four small,...
32 views9 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jul 26, 20183 min read
Cooperation Versus Coercion
I’d like you to imagine that you are a young, not-yet-verbal child who is entering a foster home. Naturally, you are a nervous about...
50 views8 comments
Nicole Wilde
Jun 5, 20183 min read
The Truth About Consequences
I was sitting across the kitchen table from my dog training client, trying to get a word in edgewise. The woman herself wasn’t the...
40 views6 comments
bottom of page