No Pain, No Force, No Fear
Why I’m Seeking Credentialing from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)
By Don Hanson< Updated 27MAR22 > < A short link for this page – https://bit.ly/DJH-PPAB > I currently hold two dog training and behavior credentials. Unfortunately, the two organizations that issued those credentials believe that using a shock collar is acceptable. Their position is contrary to the science that indicates that aversives, such as shock, choke, and … Continued
Read moreHelping Your Dog Thrive – Brambell’s Five Freedoms
By Don Hanson< A version of this article was first published in 2018 as a five-part series in the January, February, March, April and May 2018 issues of Downeast Dog News > < Updated 1FEB20 > < A short link to this page – https://bit.ly/Brambells-1-5 > < Click to download or print a PDF file containing all … Continued
Read moreWhat’s Shocking about Shock – What Science Tells Us About the Use of Shock in Dog Training
By Don Hanson< A short link to this post – https://bit.ly/ShockBARK-JUL2019 > < UPDATED – 27JUL19 > < A short link to a podcast on this topic – https://bit.ly/WfMw-WhatShock-27JUL19 > < The original version of this article was published in the July 2019 issue of Barks from the Guild, a publication of the Pet Professional Guild. >You may … Continued
Read moreCelebrating the 1st Year of the Shock-Free Coalition – +R Rocks
By Don Hanson< A version of this article was published in the November 2018 issue of Downeast Dog News> It was a year ago that I first wrote about the formation of the Shock-Free Coalition, an international initiative that “…believes that pets have an intrinsic right to be treated humanely, to have each of their individual needs … Continued
Read moreIs Your Dog Your Best Friend or a Family Member?
By Don HansonIf Yes, Then Please Join Me and Take the Pledge < A version of this article was published in the October 2017 issue of Downeast Dog News> Dogs were first referred to as “Man’s best friend” in 1789 by Frederick, King of Prussia. Today it is not uncommon for a person to say that they … Continued
Read morePodcast – The Woof Meow Show: The Pet Professional Guild and the Shock-Free Coalition with Niki Tudge
By Don Hanson< Click to Listen to Podcast > In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from September 30th, 2017, Don talks with Niki Tudge, the founder of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). We discuss the mission of the PPG, its Guiding Principles, and its members which include pet parents as well as pet care professionals … Continued
Read morePRESS RELEASE – Green Acres Kennel Shop Joins the Shock-Free Coalition
By Don HansonFor Immediate Release Monday, September 25, 2017 Contact: Don Hanson Green Acres Kennel Shop 945-6841 [Bangor] – Green Acres Kennel Shop is honored to be part of the Shock-Free Coalition, a global initiative launched today, by the Pet Professional Guild (PPG). The PPS is an international membership association for animal behavior and training professionals. The … Continued
Read moreShared Blog Post – (Declawing Cats) Still Common in the US, yet Banned in Several Countries – Why Is This Happening?
By Don HansonIn this blog post from August 15th, 2017, veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker notes: “Declawing of cats is still legal in the U.S., and sadly, it’s still somewhat common, It’s important to understand that declawing is not nail removal, it’s the permanent amputation of bones in each of your cat’s toes, A recent study concluded that … Continued
Read moreDog Training – Reward Based Training versus Aversives
By Don Hanson< Updated 5FEB19 > < A short link to this page – https://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive > Dog training has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. While the use of aversive techniques such as choke and prong collar corrections, shock collars, alpha wolf rollovers, dominance downs, and other methods based on positive punishment and negative reinforcement … Continued
Read moreThe PPG and AAHA – Making A Kinder World for Dogs
By Don Hanson< A version of this article was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Maine DOG Magazine> The first use of the phrase “Man’s Best Friend” originated in 1789 when Frederick, King of Prussia, used it in reference to his Italian Greyhound. Unfortunately, to this day there are still far too many dog owners, … Continued
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