Posts in behaviour

How to use trial and success learning to our own behaviour?

Many times we don’t even bother trying to learn a new skill. We convince ourselves that it’s not for us. When what we could do is to find the first successive approximation and start learning through a fun and successful process.

Learning, Habits, behaviourAnna BartosikJune 24, 2021human behavior, habit, habits, habit formation, creating habits, Learning, learning, behavior, behaviour, behavior analysisComment

Low self-confidence battles that you cannot see

Do you ever feel self-doubt and low-self confidence?

I have to admit I fought many low self-confidence battles throughout the years! It's not an easy journey but it's a process that I will continue for the rest of my life.

About me, behaviourAnna BartosikJune 3, 2021About me, self-reflection, negative self-talk, self-confidence, confident, confidence, battle, self-doubt, process, human learning, Learning, journey, human behavior, habit, habitsComment

Controversial advice - Reinforce unwanted behaviour

Many of the problem behaviours are a product of unintentional reinforcement that comes at the wrong time. It's better to reinforce quickly to keep the behaviour short and put more intention into all of the interactions with your dog. Remember, it's not just during a training session that your dog learns!

Dog training, behaviourAnna BartosikMay 14, 2021dog training, dog trainer, dog behavior, dog behaviour, behaviour analysis, behavior, behavior analysis, reinforcement, positive reinforcement, teachingComment

Are you applying what you have learned?

Creating habits is known to many people. When you hear about it, it sounds so obvious! You might even be able to teach others about it as you have great advice that works. The question is, are you using this advice?

Habits, Learning, behaviourAnna BartosikApril 29, 2021habit, habits, habit formation, creating habits, learning, behavior, behaviour, behavior analysis, behaviour analysis, readingComment

Dogs meeting children. How to do it safely?

It’s better to introduce your dog to a child slowly and safely. If your dog is avoiding the interaction be his voice and take him out of the situation. When your dog has choices and is asking for interaction, it can be the start of a great relationship. In any case, you always need to supervise and keep everyone safe. Not only the child but also your dog.

Dog, behaviourAnna BartosikApril 8, 2021dog training, dog behaviour, dog behavior, children, child, kid, kids, dogs and kids, dogs and children, dog and child, giving choiceComment

Challenge - Train yourself to look for the behaviours you like

Are you willing to take on the challenge of looking for the behaviours you like? Whether it's in your dogs' behaviour or in your own behaviour! Change can start from this simple (yet not easy!) exercise of noticing the behaviours you like instead of the ones you want to change.

behaviour, Dog training, LearningAnna BartosikFebruary 25, 2021habit, changing habits, changing behaviors, change, behaviour analysis, animal behaviour, dog behaviour, dog training, positive reinforcement, positive dog training, focus on what you want, challenge, habit formation, changing your own behaviourComment

How to use positive reinforcement with people?

This blog is about applying positive reinforcement to human learners. I talk from a perspective of animal trainer teaching human clients how to train their animals. It might not be applicable to you but I would encourage you to read anyway and see if there is anything you can apply to your life and your situation. Behavioural science principles are universal, can you recognise that?

Learning, behaviourAnna BartosikFebruary 12, 2021positive reinforcement, positive dog training, positive reinforcement trainer, dog trainer, dog training, human behavior, human training, human learning, teaching humans, teachingComment

One of the least known signs of fear in dogs

I've been there too! I saw a dog who is coming to me, being all cute and affectionate and I believed he is happy to see me. As long as it can be the case, there are times when dogs affection can mean "I'm not a threat to you, I won't harm you, I love you, please don't hurt me!". Watch out for the little signs and help your dog get more confidence around people with positive training.

Dog training, Dog, behaviourAnna BartosikJanuary 28, 2021fear, fear in dogs, fear in dog, body language, dogs body language, behaviour analysis, behavior, behaviour, dog training, positive dog training, force free dog trainingComment

Fear in dogs - how it looks like and what to do with it?

Fear in dogs is not always easy to recognise and many people misinterpret it. Dogs don’t come with the manual and it’s normal we don’t know everything. Learning to recognise the signs, sometimes very subtle can help you understand your dog better and give him a happier life. To see a change from a fearful dog to a confident companion, to me, is the most beautiful thing to observe.

Dog training, behaviourAnna BartosikJanuary 22, 2021dog training, dog, dogs body language, fear, fear in dog, fear in dogs, behavior, behaviour, dog behaviour, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcementComment

Taking a new dog or puppy home

Contemplating taking a new dog or puppy home? Let’s talk about adopting from a shelter, fostering or finding a good breeder - all worth considering.

Dog, Puppy, behaviourAnna BartosikJanuary 7, 2021don't shop adopt, beware of puppy mills, puppy, dog, taking home, dog behaviour, puppy behavior, new dog homeComment

Behaviour works across the species

Behaviour is behaviour and you can find the consequences that drive it for every species you encounter.

behaviourAnna BartosikDecember 11, 2020behaviour, behaviour analysis, dog behaviour, horse, animal, dog training, human behavior, human training, human, Learning, animal trainingComment

The truth about stress-free life and teaching

Is stress-free life about creating a life for dogs or people that will keep them in a bubble without any stress? Or is it about building skills ahead of time so when the stressful situation happens, they are equipped to cope with it?

behaviour, Learning, Dog trainingAnna BartosikDecember 5, 2020stress-free, learning, behavior, human, human training, human behavior, human behaviour, dog, dog training, dog behaviour, least intrusive most positive, shapingComment

Jun 24, 2021

May 21, 2021

Tips on loose leash walking (video)

Loose leash walking has a lot of complexity to it. In reality, there are many behaviours that need to be taught but even more importantly every change in the environment can affect it! Here are a few tips and tricks that you can try while training your dog.

Nov 26, 2020

Dog training in animal shelter - dealing with mistakes (video)

We can have a training plan in mind but it's the dog who will tell us if the plan is good or not. Don’t be afraid to move back a few steps in your training plan and ask for less at any point. Work with whatever you have in front of you. Looking back at the video you've made, you might realise whose mistake that really was.

Jul 23, 2020

Are you walking your dog for yourself or your dog?

Walking your dog can be a frustrating experience. It comes from misunderstanding each other. The dog doesn’t get to read all of the news (or check his Facebook) through sniffing and you feel like he doesn’t listen to you or is disobedient. Changing the way you see the walks and lowering your expectations can be an easier and faster way to enjoy your walks again.