A woman was telling me the other day about how she couldn’t understand why her dog ‘out of the blue’ barked and lunged at someone he sees and solicits pets from all the time. Someone else was telling me about how his dog, that is very friendly, ‘out of the blue’ growled at a child who walked up to him as they were leaving the groomers. If your dog has ever reacted in an unusual (for your pet) outburst of behavior in a situation. it could be because of trigger stacking. I’ll explain.
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Dangers Of Chaining Your Dog
While I haven’t seen as much of it lately, I do still see dogs chained in yards. It is a worrisome sight. Even a dog that will wag its tail, approach people with loose body muscles, and lower its head for head scratches in other situations can…and more than likely will become reactive to stimulus in its environment when constrained on a tether, alone outside. For a reactive dog that already barks, growls, or lunges at stimulus in other circumstances, it is likely to exhibit those behavior at even heightened levels. Here are some of the dangers of chaining your dog. [Read more…] about Dangers Of Chaining Your Dog
Instead Of A Bad Dog, Your Dog May Be Distressed
I encourage you to give this some thought. Thinking you have a bad dog can cause you to use punishment to change. Instead consider that your dog’s barking and growling may be caused by distress. [Read more…] about Instead Of A Bad Dog, Your Dog May Be Distressed
Holding A Successful Dog Play Date
Playing is such a great for form of enrichment, exercise and practice of social skills. That is…so long as it is good, healthy play. If it isn’t a positive experience for both dogs or puppies, it could be teaching and strengthening behaviors you don’t want to see. And, be aware that, just like with human kids, things can change quickly and unpredictably. In this post, I will talk about holding a successful dog play date including sharing tips for recognizing dog body language, good play as well as tips for how you can help to make it as safe and fun as possible. [Read more…] about Holding A Successful Dog Play Date
Dog Self-Handicapping In Play
I smile every time I see this video of Auggie, an aussiedoodle client of mine, and the little puppy. When a larger dog – who rumbles and tumbles and chases with the best of the other large dogs – flops over on her belly with loose muscles to play differently with a puppy or small dog, that larger dog is self-handicapping. You have more than likely seen dogs do it. People actually practice it also. I thought I’d write more about self-handicapping in dog play and what you can do to encourage it. [Read more…] about Dog Self-Handicapping In Play
Nonprofit Focus: United Pet Fund
I remember that day in 2015. I was standing amongst a crowd of people in an inconspicuous warehouse that sits in an office/industrial area of Blue Ash.
It was a proud day for veterinarian Dr. Zeke Zekoff and his small army of volunteers. They saw a need. They set out to find a way to fulfill it. They made it happen. [Read more…] about Nonprofit Focus: United Pet Fund