Do you learn from people you are in contact with? Recently I encounter a challenge to work with a client who is legally blind. I needed to find new ways of teaching but most importantly I had to listen. It’s through communication that we found the best ways to move forward. In the end, we not only succeeded with training the dog so both she and the owner are happy but I also learned and grew as a person. It made me a better trainer and more compassionate human being.

Learning, Communication, Dog trainingAnna BartosikMarch 4, 2021people, dog training, dog training clients, positive dog training, positive reinforcement, communication, disability, blind, inspiring peopleComment

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

Why isn’t my dog coming when I call him?

How many of you wonder “why isn’t my dog coming when I call him?” Have you noticed what are your first thoughts and reactions about it? Did you ever thought “he just wants to make me angry”? Read more on the blog to find out how changing the way you interpret his “misbehaviour” can be the first great step to long lasting change and deepening loving bond between you.

Dog trainingAnna BartosikFebruary 18, 2021dog training, dog trainer, come when called, positive dog training, positive reinforcement trainer, least intrusive most positiveComment

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

Training animals as an art form

I believe that the more we see animal training as an art form, as a process that never has an end line and as mutual exchange - learning with and from the animal, the bigger the chance we will be constantly improving. There is always more to learn, even for the most experienced trainers. Enjoy the ride!

Animal training, Dog trainingAnna BartosikFebruary 7, 2021dog training, cat training, animal training, behavior, behaviour, art form, creativity Comment

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

Even fish can be positively trained (video)!

There are no animals that cannot be trained or make significant progress with training. Seeing progress they make is the best feeling and reward for all the time originally put in training. It makes it all worth it!

See the video of fish doing tricks. I hope it will inspire you to start/continue with training!

Animal trainingAnna BartosikJanuary 14, 2021fish, fish training, behavior, behaviour, animal training, positive reinforcement, dog trainingComment

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

How to set your new puppy up for success part 2

The second part of the blog with 5 more tips on what to do to avoid mistakes and set your new puppy up for success.

Puppy trainingAnna BartosikDecember 31, 2020puppy training, puppy, puppy behavior, puppy behaviour, socialisation, tips, learning, behaviour, behaviour analysis, dog training, positive reinforcement, positive dog trainingComment

How to set your new puppy up for success part 1

Pups need a lot of attention and the more time you put into developing good habits in them, helping them get confidence in navigating in the world, the more likely they will be to grow into nicely behaved adults. In part 1 read first 5 tips on what to do to avoid mistakes and set your new puppy up for success.

Dog training, Puppy trainingAnna BartosikDecember 24, 2020puppy, puppies, puppy training, puppy behaviour, puppy behavior, socialisationComment

Reinforcing unwanted behaviour and micro-shaping

I'm not afraid of allowing the dog to briefly do things I might later want to change. I know how shaping works and how small a start of a behaviour can be. And when I have a starting point I will continue to micro-shape it until I see the behaviour that is acceptable for everyone (including the dog).

Dog training, Animal trainingAnna BartosikDecember 17, 2020dog training, positive reinforcement, reinforcement, shaping, micro-shaping, unwanted behaviour, behavior, behaviour, behavior analysis, constructional affection, constructional approach, CAT, petting, affectionComment

Jun 24, 2021

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.

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.