Eric has been been training and living with dogs for over 20 years. In 2002, Eric made a bold change in his training philosophy by turning away from Traditional, punishment-based training techniques to focus on modern animal training methods based on behavioural science and reward-based training. The results have been nothing short of exhilarating for Eric and his dogs.
He currently shares his life with his wife Petra (also a dog trainer) and his Belgian Shepherds, Tiramisu and Rizzo. Eric dedicates his writing for Life As A Human to his recently deceased Belgian Shepherds Vince, who taught him so much, and Mario who left us far too soon.
Now living in Victoria, British Columbia Canada, Eric continues his work with dogs and their owners providing group and private instruction in positive dog training methods and dog agility. He and his dog, Tiramisu, are active competitors in Dog Agility and his ScallyWaggs group hosts a number of agility trials and activities each year.
Eric's articles are now available in podcasts.
A Broken Dog – Epilogue (Redemption and Validation)
Choosing a different approach to dog training can be difficult and a little scary. Especially if you have never done it that way before. When things seem to break down 7 years into your training it can be soul shaking. That’s when it’s all on the line and you have to trust that you made the right choices.
A Comfortable Dog
Most of us have had that feeling of relief at encountering something familiar when we are in a new situation. We shouldn’t be surprised that our dogs can feel that same sense of relief if we present them with something familiar when they are uncomfortable. Do you know what your dog has good feelings about? Do you know what comforts them? You can use that to help them learn and cope with difficult situations!
Do Scientists Love Their Dogs Too?
Between all of the criteria and learning theory and Operant Conditioning and Clickers and reinforcement rates, do science-based trainers have enough time to actually love their dogs too? The answer is probably more and less complicated that you might think. Science can be far from cold. It has sparked great passions in humans for hundreds of years.
What Is Your Dog Saying About You?
There are people watchers and there are dog watchers. I am decidedly a dog watcher. It doesn't matter where I am or what I'm doing, if a dog should wander into my field of vision, I will always take a few moments to admire what we frequently call … Read more →
What’s Wrong With Intelligent Dog Training?
Whose dog training methodology do you follow? Are you a “Pack Leader”? A “Clicker Trainer”? Or one of a dozen other “tribes” in dog training? Our best source of information about dogs and training is – our dog. Maybe we should learn about them and what they respond to best instead of following the popular trends.
Zen and the Art of Training A Dog
While the religions and philosophies of the Far East do not teach dog training specifically, there may be much wisdom to be found there for dog trainers. Sometimes the simplest things are the most difficult to master. A clear mind and clear intentions can help.
Dog Interrupted
Dogs do things we would prefer they didn’t. That’s just a fact of life. But rather than say “NO!”, we could just interrupt them and show them something else to do. It’s like saying “excuse me”, except for dogs!
All The Dogs You Can Manage
Training our dogs is important. But maybe more important is how we manage them. Sometimes management is needed while we train and other management is a lifelong project. But it’s all to make our dogs, and ourselves, successful.
The Lighter Side of Dogs and Positive Training
While debates rage on whether or not using positive training with your dog is a good idea or not, those of us who use it every day are enjoying what it brings to our lives. Dog training is not all about serious obedience and performance, after all!
The Tyranny of Small Dogs
People think of small dogs as cute and cuddly and adorable. Also badly behaved, yappy, and ill-mannered. Why do we have such contradictory opinions of small dogs? If we look beyond the dog, we may find the answers with the owner!
