New podcasts coming very soon - we promise!

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Deven discusses strategies and resources for overcoming the unique challenges of living with more than two dogs, including throwing out outdated notions of pack hierarchy and the book
"FEELING OUTNUMBERED? HOW TO MANAGE & ENJOY A MULTI-DOG HOUSEHOLD" by Karen London & Patricia McConnell.

Deven discusses how using life rewards (i.e. rewards that aren't food treats!) can help integrate positive reinforcement training in to every interaction with your dog. We discuss how to identify life rewards, the importance of moving from continuous to intermittent reinforcement schedules, and how these methods can enrich your training relationship.

Click here to download the Life Rewards worksheet.

Also, our podcast host Wizzard Media would like to know a little bit about our audience. Please do us a favor and support the Canine Campus podcast by taking their short survey here:
http://wizzard.tv/survey/caninecampus
Thanks!

What are the tough questions you need to ask yourself when considering asking a dog into your life? Deven and Stace review Purdue's "Pet Selection Survey" (download)  and discuss the process of adding a dog to your family. Review of the survey questions includes some analysis of breed characteristics and common problems that arise from incompatible lifestyles, along with tips on how to find just the right match.

photo via

If you can't see the video, click here.

Norwegian dog trainer Turid Rugaas is a noted expert on canine body language, notably "calming signals" which are signals dogs give other dogs and humans that denote stress, and even a cursory study of Rugaas' work provides invaluable tools for any serious dog trainer. In this episode, Deven discusses what "calming signals" are, why the research is important and how you can use these tools to facilitate better training and communication with your four-legged friends.

Links:

Canis.no – the Turid Rugaas website

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals (Book)

Calming Signals: What Your Dog Tells You (DVD)

Happy Holidays from Canine Campus!

We hope you enjoy the attached card and wish you and your entire pack a safe, fun, and restful holiday season.

To keep the stress level low during this time of "high distraction", remember to:

1. Set your dogs and your guests up for success by providing clear
communication, handy treats, and a management plan.

2. Have plenty of loaded food toys, regular toys, and quiet areas
ready to provide easy distraction or comfortable time-outs.

3. Remember that the vet's office may be closed when you are at your busiest; call now to get the emergency vet phone number and post it in a handy place - surely, nothing will go wrong over the holidays, but better safe than sorry!

We have plenty of podcasts lined up for the new year, and look forward to getting back in touch with you in 2008!

Happy Holidays,

Canine Campus


Photo by Zach Klein via Flickr @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachklein/
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