Punishment Bad!? What Are My Options? My Rambling Answers
#bensonmaremmastraining, Recently, on a Facebook page that I am an admin on (Maremma Sheepdog Open Forum) several questions were posed to...
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Cindy Benson
- Jan 22
- 7 min
Strategies for Using Food Reinforcement with LGDs
#bensonmaremmastraining, Food is a primary reinforcer for animals, which means that animals don’t need to learn to value it; they value...
420
Cindy Benson
- Jan 10
- 11 min
My Education Continues - Primary Reinforcers
#bensonmaremmastraining, I have been taught that dogs do what is immediately reinforcing, and I have been taught that food is a primary...
610
Cindy Benson
- Dec 1, 2022
- 7 min
That Essential Window of Bonding for Livestock Guardian Pups
#bensonmaremmastraining, Scientific principles govern how dogs learn; not traditional lore, not trendy opinions, and not even if you love...
2120
Cindy Benson
- Nov 10, 2022
- 7 min
The Special Needs Pup - Learning to See Behavior In Pieces
#bensonmaremmastraining, I had the distinct privilege recently of working with the owner of a special needs pup. She came to me after...
1040
Cindy Benson
- Apr 28, 2022
- 5 min
Understanding – and Misunderstanding – Canine Behavior: LGD Early Warning Signs
These dogs gave their owner LOTS of warning signs before they reached this extreme behavior. #bensonmaremmastraining, #lgdtraining, Any...
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Cindy Benson
- Apr 6, 2022
- 2 min
The Shelby Pups - Sequoia in a Fear Period
#bensonmaremmastraining In anticipation of the pups going to their new homes, I decided to begin leash training with the litter. I...
700
Cindy Benson
- Apr 6, 2022
- 1 min
The Shelby Pups - Puppies as Sovereign
#bensonmaremmastraining The Shelby pups are getting ready to go to their new homes at nine-ten weeks of age. As I mentally prepare for...
540
Cindy Benson
- Mar 6, 2022
- 8 min
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, 2022
- 2 min
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, 2022
- 4 min
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...
2243
Cindy Benson
- Jan 27, 2022
- 5 min
Influencing Behavior - Turning Scary Into a Party!
#Maremmaforsale, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds I often feel like training happens when I am making...
580
Cindy Benson
- Dec 28, 2021
- 5 min
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...
1670
Cindy Benson
- Dec 27, 2021
- 5 min
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...
590
Cindy Benson
- Dec 22, 2021
- 3 min
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...
1190
Cindy Benson
- Dec 20, 2021
- 3 min
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...
1270
Cindy Benson
- Jun 20, 2021
- 6 min
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...
2131
Cindy Benson
- May 30, 2021
- 8 min
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
- May 21, 2021
- 7 min
Strategies for Using Food Reinforcement with LGDs
Food is a primary reinforcer for animals, which means that animals don’t need to learn to value it; they value food because it is...
820
Cindy Benson
- Jan 3, 2021
- 5 min
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...
2540
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