DogCast Radio
Home Episodes Articles Blog Breed profiles Book reviews Photos Contact

Episode 81 - Free Shaping and Tellington Touch

81_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat January 24, 2009
Length: 0:56:19
Download MP3 (25.8MB)
(To save MP3 file, right click and select 'Save Target As')

Free Shaping

There’s a lot of different ways that you can train each thing, but I love the free-shaping process, and I love to watch them figure things out. '
 - Pam Dennison

Hopefully you know by now that clicker training is a highly effective training method. You should also be aware that the clicker is not to get the dog's attention or give an instruction; rather it's a way of pinpointing to the dog the exact behaviour you want.

There are many ways to use a clicker, and in this show we hear about shaping from expert dog trainer, Pam Dennison. Shaping is a way to break a behaviour down into little steps, and tell the dog that he is doing something right, and gradually moving towards the behaviour you want.

According to Pam, you can think of it a little like the hot and cold game. Pam has all the information you need to get you started on shaping with your dog - and she has a DVD The Magic of Shaping: Explore the Possibilities.

It sounds like a great way to get your dog thinking, and you can find out more about Pam at her website.

Tellington Touch

Tellington Touch can be used on dogs with health or behaviour problems, as well as healthy dogs. It's something you can learn to do with your own dog, whatever his breed or age, and it's something that will benefit you both, and help you bond.

In this interview you can listen to Toni Shelbourne talking about Tellington Touch. Toni has studied under Linda Tellington-Jones as well as other top Tellington Touch instructors, and risen to become one of the highest qualified practitioners in the UK. She can work with a variety of animals, appeared alongside Sarah Fisher in the television series "Talking to Animals", and runs one and two day workshops in the UK.

You can find more details at her website. According to Toni, if you're willing to give it a go, you can learn to do Tellington Touch.

News and articles

In the DogCast Radio News, you can hear why Jennifer Anniston thinks a dog is better than a man, how dogs can tell if things are fair, and how actor Kevin McKidd learned the hard way you shouldn't put off having your dog neutered.

This show's article highlights Bichon Frise Star's eccentricities.

You've been feeding back about the new theme music, and the consensus is that you preferred the old one. Keep letting us know what you think. Also, have you checked out the DogCast Radio Blog yet? If not you're missing out on extra information about DogCast Radio, information about Buddy and Star, dog related news, great website links, and occasionally Julie's musings.

Sharing

281 - dog AITA and am I being unreasonable

In this podcast, host Julie considers a variety of Reddit AITA questions, and Am I Being Unreasonable from Mumsnet. We have stories of a puppy biting a child at a family get together, the pet sitting friend who took the dog to doggy daycare, the rescue dog defender feeling the pressure to meet up for dog walks, the sister who caused trouble when she said her sister's baby name sounded like a dog's name, the devoted owner who ducked out of his brother's wedding to care for his injured dog, an off lead dog causing issues and two alleged service dogs joining at the children's playground. Do you agree with Julie's take on all these canine conundrums?

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.