There are many who, if they passed us on that day, would have thought, because this dog did not bark or lunge at the person or car he saw at a distance…that he was FINE. He may have looked like he was enjoying being on leash in the community. What do you think? Actually, while he may look fine, this is a fearful dog with anxiety. The story of his dog behavior is below. [Read more…] about While He May Look Fine, This Is A Fearful Dog With Anxiety
Dog Aggression
Should A Child Lay On A Sleeping Dog?
It is so easy to find photos and videos of kids and dogs like this online. A young child showing affection to her dog by laying on top of her family dog while he is sleeping. In this image, it even looks like it may have been posed. In other words, someone (perhaps a parent or another trusted adult role model) asked the little girl to do this for the sake of an image. Let’s delve into this topic – should a child lay on a sleeping dog? [Read more…] about Should A Child Lay On A Sleeping Dog?
Reframing Thoughts About A Social Dog
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard from dog owners that they would like to have a more social dog with other dogs. They are frustrated and even embarrassed taking their dog for a walk because their dog barks at certain neighborhood dogs. Usually, the topic comes up when they tell me about their reactive dog on leash, making a generality about their dog’s leash behavior. Let’s reframe our thoughts about having a social dog who is friends with all other dogs. [Read more…] about Reframing Thoughts About A Social Dog
If We Can’t Manage It, We Can’t Change It
“If we can’t manage it, we can’t change it.” ~ Michael Shikashio, CDBC with Aggressive Dog. This is a conversation I have with all of my behavior case dog training clients…for these very reasons. Aggressive dog behavior is like any other behavior that is strengthened by reinforcement. If it works to get a consequence of value to the animal, it will continue and even strengthen over time. [Read more…] about If We Can’t Manage It, We Can’t Change It
Understanding Flooding And Learned Helplessness In Training
I had been looking forward to that night for several months, since the day I first heard about the upcoming performance one of my favorite local bands. My friends and I got there over two hours early to reserve our spot, before heading across the street to get dinner. By the time we got back to our seats, the concert area was filled. There was not even space for two more chairs. I could hardly wait for the music to start. Then, in the empty seats in front of us, a man joined his party with his leashed dog. Let’s just say, my long-anticipated evening suddenly got off to an unexpected, unwelcome turn. And that is how I will begin this post that will talk about flooding and learned helplessness as it pertains to dog training. [Read more…] about Understanding Flooding And Learned Helplessness In Training
How To Walk your Leash Reactive Dog
When I ask a new client about their dog’s exercise, more often than not, the answer has to do with, ‘walking my dog in my neighborhood.’ Walking their dog on a leash – or walking their off-leash dog as I have been seeing in my neighborhood (but do not advocate for) – is just what people do with their pets. The activity can be a wonderful enriching, bonding experience…but it can also be a very stressful practice of unwanted emotions and behaviors for the reactive dog or puppy. And with practice comes a greater likelihood of reoccurrence. Continuing to expose pets to stimulus that cause big feelings and behaviors puts these dogs in a chronic cycle of stress. What is the owner of a leash reactive dog to do? Should you walk your dog? And if so, how do you walk your dog safely so that it can be a positive outing? I’ll delve more into this in this post. [Read more…] about How To Walk your Leash Reactive Dog