Bravo Dog Behavioural Health

04/16/2025

04/16/2025

I wrote an article a little while ago addressing why I don’t recommend Board & Train. I still hold firmly to my advice when clients ask and while some may not agree with me that’s ok too. Perhaps some of the points in my article may interest you…

https://www.bravodog.ca/post/board-and-train-for-dogs

Link in stories

04/14/2025

Expressing emotions shouldn’t be punished.

If you want to change the behaviour, we help our dogs with their emotions.

04/06/2025

This guy is amazing! If you can’t foster or adopt please share!!!

03/23/2025

03/11/2025

I hope I can save you some time and heartache with a few pieces of advice.

Can you relate to any of these?

02/27/2025

Never send your dog away for training in fact these days I would not leave your dog with anyone other than friends, family or a trusted and screened sitter

* If this is shared widely someone with authority might act. *

NYC Brooklyn Dog Trainer Caught On Video Kicking, Whipping, Beating, And Using Electric Shock Collars At High Settings On Pups And Dogs; He Is Still Operating.

In the NY post by Nicole Rosenthal on Feb. 24, 2025 it is reported 30 or more horrific animal abuse complaints and dozens of calls to 311 against Corey Harden allege he pummell several pups and are leaving some of them out in the freezing cold.

Complaints started surfacing five years ago, according to city 311 records. Neighbors say he is still unlicensed even though violent videos have been turned over to police showing him whipping and kicking several dogs in the face.

A city Department of Health rep said the agency is investigating Harden at his address where he is living But, the NYPD told The Post there are no open reports of animal abuse for Harden’s apartment, meaning the 30 complaints logged have been closed. Law enforcement sources say animal cruelty cops have shown up several times, but say they found no evidence of animal abuse.

But a Post analysis of 311 calls about Harden found that several were closed by the NYPD within minutes – and in one instance, the NYPD claims reports of neglect don’t fall under the agency’s jurisdiction, despite the department boasting its own Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad. Officers couldn’t gain entry to the premises in four other visits, so left without speaking to Harden.

Multiple attempts by The Post to reach Harden were unsuccessful. Harden does have an online presence, including a website offering his services. “There are videos of him clearly beating dogs outside in his yard area,” one outraged person recently wrote on Harden’s Yelp profile. “God knows what he does behind closed doors.”

Another Yelp user claimed in a scathing 2021 review — the negative comments began in 2019 — that Harden struck her dog so hard, she had to take it to the hospital.

“We had to rush him to a hospital, since he injured his eye very badly,” the review reads. Sharon, who is leading a grassroots effort with other neighbors to bring Harden to justice, said she is now trying to call more attention to the case — by contacting other city agencies, including Parks and Recreation. This comes after she shared videos of the alleged assault on multiple dogs with the NYPD earlier this month – and says nothing has been done.

Yelp has also since hidden disgruntled video watchers’ horrified comments, The Post confirmed, which further hides the allegations from future clients, Sharon said.

“The cops are a thousand percent aware of the situation,” she said. “The only thing we can do right now is just make other people aware.”

* If this is shared widely someone with authority might act.*

Image: NY Post

01/26/2025

Hypervigilance: Why is it a concerning behaviour?

In humans, this is a condition in which the nervous system is inaccurately filtering sensory information and the individual is in an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity. This appears to be linked to a dysregulated nervous system which can often be caused by traumatic events or complex PTSD. Hypervigilance may bring about a state of increased anxiety which can cause exhaustion. Other symptoms include high responsiveness to stimuli and constant scanning of the environment.

Does your dog suffer from this behaviour?

01/21/2025

Diving into the whether prevention & management of behaviours should ever be the only approach with problematic behaviours….

Link in stories and bio to read more! Or head to our website under Articles

12/30/2024

I want my clients to see the best of the best when their dog’s behaviour is extreme or not responding to behaviour modification despite best efforts.

In fact, your dog’s behaviour challenges don’t have to be extreme for you to decide you’d like to consult with a veterinary behaviourist!

My role is to assess whether this would be beneficial for my clients, and many times I work in conjunction with the vet behaviourist or veterinarian.

Veterinary Behaviour is the clinical specialty that addresses the diagnosis and treatment of behavioural disorders of animals. A Veterinary Behaviourist is a board certified veterinarian who specializes in vet behaviour and has undergone three years of veterinary residency training in the field of clinical animal behaviour.

As a consultant, I cannot diagnose behaviour conditions such as anxiety and phobias, I can only determine whether what we are observing is warranting that specialized help and guide my clients towards making the best choice possible for their pets.

Don’t be afraid to consult with a veterinary behaviourist, they work with clients remotely quite frequently! And, it may be covered by your insurance if you veterinarian refers you to one. Just check!

*****

When I refer clients to a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviourist or a behaviour-savvy veterinarian:

Suspected generalized anxiety

Noise phobias that are not responsive to intervention

Repetitive, compulsive “OCD” like behaviours

Possible cognitive impairment/senior dogs

Bites that result in “damage”

Trauma, abuse & neglect that is not improving despite training/behaviour intervention

Dogs that live in environments in which they are almost never able to live in a relaxed state

Severe resource guarding

Separation anxiety

ANYTHING in which behaviour modification is extremely difficult or prolonged (& no, using positive reinforcement isn’t the problem)

12/24/2024

Wishing you a wonderful holiday no matter where you are or what you celebrate.

Hoping for a new year full of peace, kindness and appreciating the little things.

Grateful for you if you’ve trusted me to work with you and your dog or if any of my content has helped you in your journey.

- Renée & Penelope

(Photo by )

12/23/2024

I addressed this last year regarding “bear bells” which are essentially useless.

Persistent tag noise may hijack a dog's sense of hearing. The constant jingling can interfere with their listening to the world in the purest "dog-relevant" ways possible.

12/18/2024

There are so many reasons to avoid using punishment, intimidation and pain in animal training. Interesting study that was conducted here in B.C.

“Characteristics of dog training companies and their services in British Columbia, Canada”

Highlights
•
Identified 281 dog training businesses in British Columbia, Canada.
•
72.24% of businesses said they used reward-based training methods.
•
Websites of reward-based businesses were more likely to include trainer credentials.
•
Women outnumbered men as lead trainers.
•
Women were more likely to use reward-based methods and hold credentials.

12/10/2024

So often, social media and popular culture try to draw you in on an emotional level to internalize your dog’s behaviour.

Why?

Because you hold the credit card.

Now, I’m not saying that our behaviour and interactions don’t impact our dog’s, because they do. What I am saying is that the more you believe that your dog’s behaviour is your fault and there is something wrong with YOU, the more ideas, products and services can be sold to you because you are emotionally vulnerable.

The moral compass of right and wrong when it comes to behaviour is not helpful.
Shift the perspective to “is this healthy?”

Emotions run high when it comes to our dogs. They are family. This is understandable.

When you can start to look at behaviour as a function you will have a clearer understanding of how to help your dog.

11/28/2024

Often times reactive behaviours are misunderstood and we get frustrated and angry with our dog when they have outbursts.

This is where your empathy and compassion need to guide YOUR reactions.

Your dog is having a difficult time in these moments, and counting on you to make the right choice.

Avoid getting angry.
Remain as calm as you can and remove your dog from the situation when it is safe to do so.
Don’t poor gasoline on the fire by using “corrections”.

I will post an article I wrote about why using “corrections” will set you and your dog up to fail in the stories.

11/19/2024

Sometimes we have to choose between doing what is best for our dog vs what is convenient for us.

What do I mean by that?

Too many “dog trainers” will sell you an idea that you can change anything you want about your dog.
Not only is that BS, it’s VERY unfair to your dog.
Imagine if your partner, family member or friend viewed you through that lens!

When we bring animals into our homes we have to KNOW that there are going to be trade-offs and there are going to be things we may not like, and they may be inconvenient or difficult.

No, it may not be convenient but we owe it to our dogs to view their behaviour not as something we remove from their being, but by asking these questions:

- Is their behaviour healthy?
- How does their behaviour impact their quality of life (and mine)
- Is it realistic to change their behaviour without negatively impacting their quality of life?
can we make improvements ethically?
-At what cost am I willing to go to to change their behaviour? Will there be side effects that no one is warning me about?

🌜So, with that said I urge you to reach out to me if you are struggling. I always tell my clients, “I will never lie to you about what is possible and what isn’t.”

Renée

11/13/2024

“I just want my dog to stop barking all the time!”

You may be facing a behaviour challenge with your dog that seems so simple. It’s barking, just stop it!

Well, it’s never that simple.

Behaviour never functions in isolation and there are many considerations that an ethical behaviour consultant will investigate when helping you and your dog.

I encourage you to think on a deeper and more curious level when it comes to your dog’s behaviour.

As always, get in touch so I can help 😊

11/09/2024

We can all feel hopeless sometimes.

Whether you’re struggling with personal relationships, your dog’s behaviour or current political developments…

It’s all valid and it’s normal to feel like things won’t ever change.

Your dog doesn’t know why you’re feeling these ways, they just pick up on the general energy and your behaviour.

In these times I recommend you do a few things:
- Block out the noise. Avoid online groups, YouTube, chats and advice forums
- Read more books that bring you joy
- Music. Listen to music and not the tv
- Get outdoors as much as you can. Find spaces that are safe for you and your dog that don’t cause stress

I hope you prioritize seeking peace for you and your dog(s) no matter what you’re facing.