By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In the vast spectrum of human-dog relationships, there exists a myriad of dynamics ranging from harmonious companionship to troubling dysfunctionality. While dogs have long been regarded as man's best friend, the reality is that not all…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In the enchanting realm of pet ownership, training care behaviours stands as an indispensable cornerstone. Beyond the basics of sit, stay, and fetch, instilling care behaviours in our canine companions cultivates a bond that transcends mere…

Par Ann-Marie Bourassa, Consultante en Comportement Canin

Comme plusieurs personnes qui font une certification pour ensuite se lancer à leur compte, je croyais que finalement j’allais travailler avec les animaux et je n’aurai plus à faire face aux humains. À…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Last November, I released the book Animal-Assisted Therapy: Superstars Change Teen Lives. The content includes laws, how to socialize and train pet partners, and case files from the teens we worked with over the years…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As the year ends, dog trainers and other animal-related professionals look back on the year to try to predict the year to come. Some of my observations project a change in human behaviour. COVID-19 dogs will…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dog training apps seem like a blessing for dog owners, so I decided to review a few of them and report back. I selected Puppr, Dogo, and GoodPup. The apps are available in…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia isn’t a favourable way to solve problems, but I’m not here to discuss the war. Today, I want to discuss the articles I see on social media relating to the…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT 

I don't talk about my job in public or other social gatherings. I won't mention what I do unless asked because my profession quickly becomes the centre of the conversation with questions ranging from What do…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Nearly two years have passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and people are still in a rush to get a dog. Unfortunately, the current situation reveals a much darker side to the pandemic. Almost…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

What is FAST dog training, and why should you care?! I spend a lot of time coaching people on how to change undesirable behaviour, namely aggression, into more desirable behaviours. The best way to accomplish this…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

I haven't written in a while because the Dogue Shop and Dogue Academy have been super busy this year. But, with a drastic increase in dogs worldwide and behaviour issues skyrocketing, I decided it was time…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

If you are a Dogue Academy subscriber, then you have read our Newsletter and know about COVID dog syndrome. Yes, I chose that title because it reflects the 2020 dog population. For the next ten…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Captive domestic and exotic animals, including dogs and cats, live a very different life regarding environmental stimuli. Humans directly or indirectly control every single aspect of an animal’s environment. People allow animals to roam and interact…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

There is an old saying that too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. You are probably thinking, how does this apply to our profession, and with cause? If you have read…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

I get many e-mails from people proposing their dog as an animal-assisted therapy partner in our programs. I also receive multiple messages each month from people who ask me to train their new puppy for emotional…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

I have not written in a while because I am very busy with the Dogue Shop, university classes, promoting the book, and raising a Broholmer puppy. All that said, there is a topic on my mind…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Many dog trainers use lures to train dogs. Lures are most often food, but they can be toys or even safety. There are multiple reasons to use lures, but the most common motive is to teach…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The question I am most often asked is how do we teach a dog to stay. It does not matter which behaviour you teach the dog because stay will be trained the same way. It…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As more and more people discover social cognitive learning theory (SCT), I’m reminded just how slow the dog training and behaviour industry evolve. I practice and teach social learning on a regular basis. Actually, I’ve…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

As the busy season comes to an end, I’m happy to blog again and hear what you have to say. This week, I want to talk about delinquent clients, and by delinquent, I’m referring to clients…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Someone asked me a pertinent question the other day: “Why do some trainers feel they need to dominate, punish, control, choke, or even electrocute* dogs?” The following is my summarised answer. As is the…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT/FLE

There’s never a dull moment at the Dogue Shop, and this week is certainly no exception. On Monday I was on Breakfast Television to talk about dog safety. After the show, it dawned on me people…

If we want to make things happen, we have to stand up and make our voice be hear. I’m officially standing up, but I’ll need your voice to be heard. I want to present to you…

The study of dog behaviour and training is evolving at the speed of light. Learning theories are presently studied, and with a new understanding of our canine companion comes a new training approach. In a few…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT

The No Reward Marker (NRM) makes our list of the top ten taboo topics in animal training. I honestly don’t know why though, so today I decided to explore the subject matter with you. I know…