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    Tips for viewing our blog posts

    • All Posts
    • New To LGDs - How Does It Work?
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    Search
    Understanding – and Misunderstanding – Canine Behavior: LGD Early Warning Signs
    Cindy Benson
    • Apr 28
    • 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...
    970
    The Shelby Pups - Sequoia in a Fear Period
    Cindy Benson
    • Apr 7
    • 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...
    360
    The Shelby Pups - I'm an LGD! Meet Juniper
    Cindy Benson
    • Mar 31
    • 3 min

    The Shelby Pups - I'm an LGD! Meet Juniper

    #bensonmaremmastraining As you may know, the Shelby pups came to me to be evaluated regarding what sort of home would be appropriate for...
    990
    How We Place Our Pups - Natural Fit vs Trained Fit
    Cindy Benson
    • Mar 6
    • 8 min

    How We Place Our Pups - Natural Fit vs Trained Fit

    #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds In one of the many courses I have taken from Suzanne Clothier she talks...
    781
    Lupine & Sage & The Elk
    Cindy Benson
    • Feb 23
    • 2 min

    Lupine & Sage & The Elk

    #maremmaforsale, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds, Tonight, as I powered through my chores, I saw a sight...
    480
    Going From "No" and "Wrong" to "Change" and "Create" as a Trainer
    Cindy Benson
    • Feb 13
    • 5 min

    Going From "No" and "Wrong" to "Change" and "Create" as a Trainer

    #shaping, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds When I was a child I heard "no" a lot and I learned to avoid...
    890
    All It Took Was Seven Seconds
    Cindy Benson
    • Jan 31
    • 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...
    1953
    Influencing Behavior - Turning Scary Into a Party!
    Cindy Benson
    • Jan 28
    • 5 min

    Influencing Behavior - Turning Scary Into a Party!

    #Maremmaforsale, #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds ***This is one of our pups that is currently...
    470
    The Language of Animals - New Home, New Sheep - Katie S.
    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...
    1210
    Transitions and Shaping – Let’s Not Test the Edges
    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...
    370
    Appeasement Behaviors - Canine Conflict Resolution
    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...
    480
    Living With a Dog Wearing a Dangle Stick - Training With Aversives - No!
    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...
    660
    What a Dog Learns From An E-Collar
    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 to things in his environment. ***He does not learn what he should...
    2100
    Strategies for Using Food Reinforcement with LGDs
    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...
    520
    Resilience & Coping Skills – What You Can Do To Support Your Dog
    Cindy Benson
    • Dec 21, 2020
    • 6 min

    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...
    871
    Using An Older LGD To Train The New Puppy – My Thoughts On This
    Cindy Benson
    • Nov 28, 2020
    • 8 min

    Using An Older LGD To Train The New Puppy – My Thoughts On This

    I think as often as I get inquiries about my pups from people who have never owned an LGD I get inquiries from people who have one,...
    3050
    Genetics and Temperament – How Big Is Your World?
    Cindy Benson
    • Nov 28, 2020
    • 10 min

    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...
    1080
    Biddability & LGDs
    Cindy Benson
    • Nov 14, 2020
    • 4 min

    Biddability & LGDs

    #Maremmasheepdogtraining, #positivereinforcementtrainingforlgds Biddability is about a dog’s willingness to be directed, particularly to...
    1970
    The Training Triangle - This Time Training 6 Month Old Pups With Chickens
    Cindy Benson
    • May 29, 2020
    • 3 min

    The Training Triangle - This Time Training 6 Month Old Pups With Chickens

    Many new owners of Maremmas are unsure of what actual training really looks like. Recently, we had occasion to evaluate several 6 month...
    1030
    Why Clicking and Correction Used Together Doesn’t Work
    Cindy Benson
    • May 6, 2020
    • 3 min

    Why Clicking and Correction Used Together Doesn’t Work

    I am writing this post, in part, because of how this behavioral science truth can impact my pups in their new homes. But this principle...
    1040
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