Dogue Academy Professional Dog Trainer School

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Horses live in a world of constant stimulation. Every movement, tone, and gesture conveys information, and they respond with sensitivity that reflects their social and cognitive awareness. Building trust with a horse is the first step…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Dog trainers are exceptionally good at observing behaviour. We notice patterns, emotional thresholds, timing, and context. Yet even with this level of skill, many trainers still encounter moments that behavioural explanations alone cannot fully account for…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

There comes a moment in this line of work when usual explanations stop working.

You can no longer say, They just need more clarity, and mean repetition.
You can no longer say, They’re refusing to obay,…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

The future of dog training is being shaped less by canine science and more by digital visibility. In an era where screens dominate both learning and leisure time, algorithms now determine which voices rise to the…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Modern, science-based dog training, like social cognitive learning, recognizes that behaviour emerges from the interaction of three core determinants: social learning (how dogs learn from others), cognition (memory, perception, and attention), and environmental (physical and social…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FL

When we think of horse training, most people imagine a person holding reins and applying pressure on the bit, releasing it when the horse does the right thing. For centuries, this model, based on negative reinforcement…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In dog training, professionals and pet owners often misunderstand learning theory. Social media is full of people who claim they are reinforcing behaviour when, in reality, their actions say otherwise. Trainers claim positive reinforcement (R+) while…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In many traditional training contexts, obedience has long been the benchmark of a well-trained dog. The sit, down, stay, and heel behaviours are essential skills, and they certainly make life with dogs safer and more manageable.…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Within the professional realm of dog training, a critical distinction exists between cues, commands prompted by external signals such as sit or look at me, and voluntary behaviours, actions the dog initiates independently. While cued…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In canine training and behaviour science, the prevalent assumption is that puppy-to-puppy play alone ensures optimal socialization. While peer interactions contribute to motor skills and bite inhibition, they lack the structured guidance that well-socialized adult dogs…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

Positive-reinforcement training (PRT) has transformed zoo and aquarium animal care. But more treats, more often isn’t always better. In exotic species, whose metabolic needs, social systems, and foraging ecologies can be very different from domestic animals…

By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT-FLE

In today’s digital age, online courses are everywhere, promising to teach everything from basic obedience to complex behaviour modification. While virtual learning can introduce theory, it simply cannot match the depth, precision, and emotional engagement of…