I try not to sound like a broken record, but I do continually hit home the fact that the environment is training your dog. Specifically, the environment is shaping your dogs behavior in small successes each day, each minute. Why is this important? If your puppy barks frequently to get your older dog to interact […]
Behavior is Shaped by the Environment Read More »
Simply wanting your dog to respond differently to sights and sounds is not enough. In the last Blog, I talked about having a plan, going slow and being in a good emotional place yourself. Please keep in mind, when your dog becomes afraid or anxious his emotional state is responding to one or more triggers
Changing Your Dogs Emotional Response Read More »
When changing your dogs behavior or habits it is best to go slow and keep it simple. Changing habits takes time and while the process may seem overwhelming at times, remember small successes are a big deal! Steps to changing your dogs behavior: 1. Make a plan, put it in writing, including specific detailed goals
Canine aggression will always be an interesting topic discussed among dog lovers. We know conflicts are normal and it is our job as humans to teach young children how to cope or resolve conflicts with other children and adults. We humans are taught to resolve conflict by using our words at a young age, often
Aggression in Dogs Read More »
Control Unleashed Class was designed by Leslie McDevitt as a way of helping her own dog cope with the intense distractions at agility events. Not an easy task for a dog who was worried about strange dogs near and also afraid of noises. The concept of CU is to create a focused and more confident
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I hope this article finds you enjoying the beginning of this new year! January brings so many beginnings, not just a new year, but New Year’s resolutions as well. Some personal, some professional and then some just for fun! Lately, I have been thinking about the fun resolutions — what it is I would enjoy,
New Year – Old Dog Read More »
Many people are conditioned to put dog food in a bowl, ask for a sit and put the bowl down, end of story. But we know that dogs learn through repetition just like humans do, so why not use feeding to teach an automatic behavior? I believe we can truly prevent many unwanted behaviors by
How Best to Feed Your New Pup Read More »
Have you ever been told “YOUR DOG JUST BIT ME”? In all honesty, I believe the owner of the dog that bites feels much worse than the person who has been bitten and is yelling. I am not talking about a bite that requires stitches, but a level one bruise with the front teeth. I
My little black foster scottie is making great progress in my home. While he was a door dasher when he arrived, he has learned to wait and ask permission to go outside. He has also learned to sit for affection, food or a treat. I find it hard to believe when I work with an
Rescuing a Worried Dog Read More »
While many of us this week have been hugging and holding our children and grand children tighter as a result of the horrible shootings in Newtown CT., many of us have also sought to hold and love our pets. Our desire to keep all those we love feeling safer has increased dramatically in light of
