The Shelby Pups - I'm an LGD! Meet Juniper
#bensonmaremmastraining The Shelby pups, so named because their owner's name is "Shelby," came to me to be evaluated regarding what sort...
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Cindy Benson
Mar 6, 20228 min read
Natural Fit vs Trained Fit - Selecting the Right Homes for Dogs
#Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds In one of the many courses I have taken from Suzanne Clothier, she talks...
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Cindy Benson
Feb 23, 20222 min read
Lupine & Sage & The Elk
#maremmaforsale, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds, Tonight, as I powered through my chores, I saw a sight...
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Cindy Benson
Jan 30, 20224 min read
All It Took Was Seven Seconds
I feel angrier every time I watch this short video clip – and behind that anger is fear, big time. Fear for my dogs. People want to “come...
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Cindy Benson
Jan 27, 20225 min read
Influencing Behavior - Turning Scary Into a Party!
#Maremmaforsale, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds I often feel like training happens when I am making...
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Cindy Benson
Dec 28, 20215 min read
The Language of Animals - New Home, New Sheep - Katie S.
Katie S. owns the dogs in the photo; I have written about her in other blogs, along with Katie W., because they are sharing a somewhat...
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Cindy Benson
Dec 27, 20215 min read
Transitions and Shaping – Let’s Not Test the Edges
This is a graphic that was shared with me about people, specifically – me. At issue was “what does it take to derail me” (my words) at...
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Cindy Benson
Dec 22, 20213 min read
Appeasement Behaviors - Canine Conflict Resolution
This short video shows Blush in portions of my training session with her regarding staying with her own bowl. Unfortunately for both of...
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Cindy Benson
Dec 20, 20213 min read
Living With a Dog Wearing a Dangle Stick - Training With Aversives - No!
Recently, I have seen a resurgence of advocacy for the use of “management tools” such as dangle sticks, yokes, prong collars, etc.; the...
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Cindy Benson
Jun 20, 20216 min read
Our Selection Process for Pups and Owners - And Why We Do It This Way - "See The Dog"
****Dog wanted for lifetime position – must be perfect!*** Most breeders place LGD pups at about this age; the pup in the photo is nine...
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Cindy Benson
May 30, 20218 min read
What a Dog Learns From An E-Collar
He learns he is not safe in his environment. He learns associations with things in his environment. ***He does not learn what he should...
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Cindy Benson
Jan 3, 20215 min read
Training Is About Creating Behavior – Not Stopping It
I recently read that training dogs is like expecting them to learn English as a second language. Thinking of it that way reminds me of...
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Cindy Benson
Dec 21, 20206 min read
Resilience & Coping Skills – What You Can Do To Support Your Dog
For several years now, here on the ranch, I have believed that the extensive and purposeful training we do with our pups allowed us to...
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Cindy Benson
Nov 28, 20208 min read
Genetics and Temperament – How Big Is Your World?
Pups are born who they are. The temperament, the character of the pup, cannot be learned or taught. All the best early socialization and...
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Cindy Benson
Nov 28, 20206 min read
Adolescence – The SECOND Opportunity To Influence A Dog’s Life In A Big Way
Understanding how dogs learn is critical to making informed choices about managing them. When people think of “management,” they often...
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Cindy Benson
Nov 13, 20204 min read
Biddability & LGDs
#Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds Biddability is about a dog’s willingness to be directed, particularly to...
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Cindy Benson
May 6, 20202 min read
Why Clicking and Correction Used Together Doesn’t Work - The Poisoned Cue
#bensonmaremmastraining, Dogs trained using positive reinforcement methods have learned that cues are linked to wonderful rewards. A cue...
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Cindy Benson
Mar 28, 20203 min read
Transitions – Managing Barking
When pups transition into new homes, the first few nights can be challenging for them. This is often when reactive barking is learned...
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Cindy Benson
Mar 28, 20204 min read
Why LGDs Bark & How To Manage This
Barking is the primary way LGDs protect their livestock – and themselves – from predators. Barking lets the predators know, before they...
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Cindy Benson
Mar 27, 20202 min read
Toys & Bones & LGDs
#toysandbonesforLGDs, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #resourceguardingLGDs, Toys, and bones may mean something different to the owner than...
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