I continue to work with countless distraught clients who are desperate to stop their dog’s reactive behavior on a leash. I get it! When I adopted my 9-year-old Scottish Terrier in 2009, I felt the same isolation, stress and frustration. For two years, we trained diligently and, eventually, reached a point where we could walk […]
Causes of Canine Reactivity Read More »
A solid understanding of the distinction between exposure and socialization is essential for preventing reactivity in dogs. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they play very different roles in shaping a dog’s behavior. Let’s dive into what each one means and why it matters. Exposure (Ideal for dogs with slow resilience) Exposure refers to
Exposure vs Socialization Read More »
For Ollie, a highly reactive dog, desensitization has been a game-changer; allowing him to navigate my home environment with a greater sense of calm self-confidence. By engaging Ollie in familiar, enjoyable tricks—like “spin,” “paw,” and “high five”—while he hears but cannot see people or dogs nearby, I gradually helped him get used to these sounds.
Tips for Overwhelmed reactive dog Owners Read More »
Imagine being able to identify the unique traits of a puppy before selecting one and bringing it home for the first time. Is the puppy independent, full of energy, strongly opinionated about resources like food, or isn’t afraid to push back when handled? Wouldn’t that be valuable information to have before you selected and picked
GETTING THE RIGHT PUPPY Read More »
My Goal for 2024 is to improve the social well-being of dogs like Greta, an adolescent German Wirehaired Pointer I had the pleasure of working with on New Year’s Eve. Greta was rescued by her humans 10 months ago. They had met with three other trainers to understand why she barked at dogs. They were
Not all barking dogs are afraid Read More »
The detail is in the Sociability + Arousal + Social Confidence Many puppies and adolescent dogs steal items which they find interesting. Some for consumption, attention, play, and some try to teach their human how to play tug! Some for the pleasure of chewing on a particular fabric, and some to full-fill an individual need
Is my puppy playing or guarding? Read More »
This process is for the shy or insecure dog. If your dog becomes activated and goes at the stimuli with strong barking and snapping or has bitten visitors, schedule a Bite Risk Assessment with Judy:https://caninebehaviorcounseling.com/bite-risk-assessment/ What does your dog enjoy? 1. Toys – If your dog is excited about toys, I suggest you integrate toys into
3 Strategies For Introducing Your insecure Dog To Friends. Read More »
Help! My puppy has a rude play style! A client recently reached out with concerns about her five month old pups “over the top” play style. Petunia rushes up to dogs, uninvited, making fast physical contact while standing on her hind legs biting at their faces. Petunia becomes quite activated and persistent in her play
How can we help Petunia? Read More »
Understanding your dog’s needs When your dog is on a leash, you may see a change in your dog’s body shape or hear vocalization when approached by an unfamiliar person. The changes in your dog’s body shape tells you how she is feeling. These changes may be dramatic and occur quickly, showing a large change
Understanding your dog’s Sociability Read More »
Jade shows a relaxed, confident expression in this photo. This is Jade moments after she recovered from an emotional barky greeting with a scary dress! As Jade and I were sitting on this bench, I noticed Jade close her mouth, narrow her eyes somewhat, and track a women across the road. The young woman had
Purposeful Socialization Read More »
