The Academy for Dog Trainers

05/27/2026

"But dogs aren’t people. They don’t have the complementary software to learn the right and wrong we feel compelled to teach. They can, however, learn safe and dangerous, and so we fool ourselves that this is proof that we’ve morally improved them when we eschew treats and instead intimidate, and they then do less of what bugs us. Because, make no mistake, righteousness or your approval isn’t driving him."

Another classic by the Academy's director, Jean Donaldson, from our archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/an-open-letter-to-owners-who-think-treats-are-bribery/

05/20/2026

"This fear manifests in a couple of ways. One is the stark contrast between the extremely modest numbers of people killed by dogs in a given society and the intensity of “something must be done” outcry when an instance makes the news. And the other is the curious prevalence of what we affectionately call FOD (Fear Of Dogs) among people, including, interestingly, dog professionals, who get disproportionately excited by injuries that, were they gotten via a cheese grater in the kitchen, would warrant an eyeroll and a bandaid."

The first "let's conversate" blog between Jean and Kristi, from the archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/how-dangerous-are-dogs/

05/18/2026

In honor of National Rescue Dog Day on May 20th, The Academy is offering $100 off (nearly half off!) our Shelter and Rescue course. Valid this week only. Enter NationalRescueDogDay at checkout! Read about the course here:

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/shelter-rescue-course/

05/13/2026

"Guilt is a crap motivator, but a persistent emotion that affects quality of life. And we are charged with improving everybody's quality of life."

From the archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/management-in-dog-training/

05/12/2026

It's a better-than-ever world for dogs suffering from separation anxiety and their families now that there are trained specialists for this disorder. So what do these specialists do exactly? Academy graduate Malena De Martini walks us through. Link to Academy graduate trainer referral list in the comments, where you can search separation anxiety specialists!

The real question is not How to Leave a Dog with Separation Anxiety Alone, but why you should actually do the opposite and suspend your absences!

05/06/2026

“If you’ve followed me on this merry dance so far, you may be asking how this affects dogs…this is a dog training school and a dog training blog, after all. Who cares if we all love both prestige and negativity?”

From the archives, by Kristi Benson.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/negativity-bias-and-dog-training-culture/

04/29/2026

"So the bottom line is to shift your approach from an obedience focus to building a rich foundation for your relationship with your puppy and showing him that the world is safe."

From the archives, by Vanessa Charbonneau of Sit Pretty Behavior & Training.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/puppy-priorities/

04/28/2026

Your attention please! Today we celebrate Zoe Rosen, who graduated from The Academy!

Zoe's heart is with sheltering and she's worked with shelter dogs in Denver, and will be continuing to work to keep dogs from being relinquished. She now does so with a CTC!

Please join me in wishing her congratulations!

04/22/2026

"Imagine if you could be killed at the whim of the state (your “family”). Imagine eating the same thing every meal for the rest of your life. Imagine that the state finds watching movies, playing video games, sleeping on the most comfortable surfaces, engaging in social discourse or walking in the direction you’d like to walk on the street – just one time – an affront, a problem and something to be cracked down on."

From the archives.

https://academyfordogtrainers.com/if-they-could-march/

04/21/2026

May we please have your attention! There's a new Academy Graduate to celebrate!

Lara Mueller got the training bug while working at a dog hotel and while helping her Chihuahua, Temus, with a few post-adoption issues. She completed The Academy in her second language - no small feat - and she'll be going on to help dogs and their guardians in Germany.

Please help us wish her congratulations on her CTC!