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Whether you use punishment or reward, the end result is always a strengthening of the targeted behavior. To very easily understand this concept, lets look at the definition of reinforcement (as given by Google): re·in·force·ment ˌrēinˈfôrsmənt/ noun the action or process of reinforcing or strengthening. synonyms: augmentation, increase, supplementing, boosting, topping up "reinforcement of the bomber force" the process of encouraging or establishing a belief or pattern of behavior, especially by encouragement or reward. And thanks to my highschool English teacher, Mr. Deblois, I can see that the different parts of this word (re-in-force) literally translate to: "put force back...

I recently saw an article stating that the reason a dog acts out is because he is bored and needs more mental stimulation (7 Signs Your Dog Needs More Mental Stimulation). What's more likely to be true is that your dog is already over-stimulated and this is why he's acting out. What our dogs need today is more emotional grounding and less mental stimulation. Think about it, there's no such thing as being over-grounded, because emotional grounding is always good. But there is such a thing as being over-stimulated. We all get over-stimulated when we have too much mental activity and not...

The answer is definitely yes. But here's what you should know:  1. Green tripe looks like brains and smells like poop. It is full of digestive enzymes and friendly bacteria that will benefit your dog's gut. 2. You should never store it in plastic unless you don't mind your Tupperware smelling like a cow's stomach FOREVER. 3. Your roommates will hate you and your dog friends will love you.  4. Try to buy from Greentripe.com like we do. The bleached stuff you find at the grocery store is not what you want. They offer straight tripe, but also have great...

Do you dread trimming your dog's nails? Do you avoid it altogether by relying on your vet or groomer to do this task for you? Most people I know would answer yes to one or both of these questions, but you don't have to! I'm writing this article to help you get a better grip on this grooming task. A really important part of your relationship with your dog, in my humble opinion, is being able to groom him. I almost always start my grooming sessions by massaging the dog. This is an invaluable way to solidify the bond between you...

Many of us humans have had the pleasure of receiving some sort of bodywork like a massage. But did you know that dogs can benefit from bodywork as well? Whether it's called Canine Physical Therapy or Canine Rehabilitation, dogs can get the same benefits from bodywork as we do. It can help them recover from injuries and surgery, decrease pain, increase mobility, and is often used as part of a conditioning program for working dogs or dog athletes. But even if the dog isn't competing in sports or doesn't have a specific "ailment," bodywork can increase their range of movement,...