Canines in the Capital

Canines in the Capital Helping Dogs Make Good Choices by Coaching their Owners Dog Training
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=715897503876797&id=100063696604138&mibextid=Nif5oz
04/19/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=715897503876797&id=100063696604138&mibextid=Nif5oz

⚠️ 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗬 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗬 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗣𝗦…

💭 I need y’all to do me a solid:

⛔️ Stop expecting 3, 4, 5mo puppies to do extended ‘stays’;

✅ Consider that learning specific skills is far, far less important than developing a strong desire in your pup to work with you - it’s all about desire, motivation, and engagement;

⛔️ Avoid teaching your pup that any and all dogs it encounters are an opportunity for play;

✅ Understand that pups are just like toddlers - they have short attention spans and are all about ‘what’s in it for them’;

⛔️ Know that just because your last dog did or didn’t do something, it has ZERO bearing on how your new pup should behave;

✅ Remember that it’s completely typical for pups to bite, chew, bark, growl and jump on you;

⛔️ Keep it clear in your mind that your old dog may help your pup learn some new routines (for better or worse) but she won’t teach that pup how to ‘behave’;

✅ Invest significant effort in making sure your pup spends plenty of time completely alone;

⛔️ Change your vet if they tell you to keep your dog inside until it’s had all it’s shots, and avoid purchasing from a breeder that suggests the same;

✅ Get your puppy out of the house to experience the wider world without your older dog to develop it’s self reliance and independence;

⛔️ Don’t give your pup all it’s food from a bowl - give it about 1/3 of its food in a bowl for free, and feed the remaining 2/3 as part of your training and development work;

✅ First assume that if your pup isn’t paying attention to you in the way you wish, then he considers you boring AF and/or your expectations are unrealistic.💡 If you guys can remember this stuff you’ll be much less likely to need my help later in life, and your dog has the best chance of developing to it’s full potential.

🙏 Please, and of course thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/100063855078200/posts/597216709083493/?mibextid=Nif5oz
02/01/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100063855078200/posts/597216709083493/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Many people I meet think the crate is just for puppies and stop crating as soon as their dog is house trained or do not want to crate their dog.

There are many benefits to crate training your dog.

📍Safety:
From poisonous foods, cleaning supplies, and suffocating or choking on hazardous items like snack bags.

📍Management:
When you can't pay attention, it's a great babysitter, especially for young puppies who aren't house trained.

📍Reduce Anxiety:
Teach your dog that they have their own safe space to relax in.

🐕 Most dogs will be crated at some point in their life, as adults, such as at a veterinarian, groomer, or kennel.

🐕 I also have found that with many behavior issues, the crate is a necessary part of the training program as a way to manage and prevent them from destroying things and hurting themselves, as well as to teach a calm mindset and advocate for your dog by putting them away in many uncomfortable situations while we continue to teach them how to live in our crazy human world.

It’s all about !!

⏩ Find more helpful advice in my new adopter guide; https://caninecohen.com/newdog

https://www.facebook.com/100063696604138/posts/628257832640765/?mibextid=Nif5oz
01/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100063696604138/posts/628257832640765/?mibextid=Nif5oz

💡 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴. 𝘗𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.

⚠️ Unlike these issues, aggression related issues are something that a dog tends to grow 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗢.

💭 Most often these issues stem from a lack of development, emotional issues that remain unaddressed, and poor choice of training methods. Poor genetics can also make a huge contribution.

🐕‍🦺 If your dog is under 16wks old and is fearful, timid, scared of things in the world, intimidated by strange people or situations - know that the very best time to begin to address this is 𝗡𝗢𝗪.

⏱️ By the time your dog gets towards 12mo old you are now beginning to see the adult dog, and there is typically a 𝗟𝗢𝗧 more work involved to try and effect the dog's (now long held) world view.

💪 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁.

✅ If you accept that you're committed to being responsible for your canine companion for the next decade or so, then you need to be on the front foot in dealing with these issues 𝗔𝗦𝗔𝗣.

⚖️ 𝗔𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲.

https://www.facebook.com/100054838883223/posts/689914822846474/?mibextid=Nif5oz
01/12/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100054838883223/posts/689914822846474/?mibextid=Nif5oz

🛑 Mettons fin au mythe 🛑:
❌ Un chien réactif N'EST PAS un chien réellement confiant! ❌

Parce qu'un chien confiant est un être calme et assuré.
Il vit ni dans le stress, ni dans l'anxiété.
Il n'a pas besoin d'anticiper, il sait qu'il a ce qu'il faut pour gérer!
Et à la grande surprise de plusieurs, ce n'est pas ce type de chien qu'on voit le plus en consultation!

Malheureusement, il persiste encore cette fausse croyance populaire qui veut que les chiens qui démontrent de la réactivité sont ''dominants''...
Bon, c'est vrai que plusieurs le sont devenus par obligation... On leur a fait porter ce positionnement hiérarchique au sein de la famille alors qu'il est beaucoup trop lourd à supporter, et c'est d'ailleurs ce qui créer plusieurs de leurs difficultés...
Mais il faut comprendre que pour la plupart, ce n'est pas leur ''fond''...
Les vrais, les naturellement dominants, on en voit vraiment pas souvent!!

De 1️⃣, parce qu'ils sont rares!

Les génétiques sont de plus en plus faibles, autant niveau physique que tempérament.
Et les milieux ''d'élevage'' on en parle même pas! C'est encore pire depuis les dernières années...
Vue la demande qui a explosée, plein de crétins en ont profité pour se faire la piasse et ont fait accoupler des individus déséquilibrés qui n'auraient jamais dû avoir de descendance...
Et c'est bien évident que ce n'est pas eux qui vont débuter le travail de socialisation ainsi que voir à stimuler les chiots adéquatement afin d'assurer leur bon développement en plus de prendre le temps de sélectionner les familles en fonction des différentes personnalités dans la portée...

(Il y a bien sur des éleveurs éthiques et consciencieux qui font un travail extraordinaire en offrant des chiens bien dans leurs pattes et dans leurs poils! Je tiens à préciser que je ne mets vraiment pas tout l'monde dans le même panier parce que je suis témoin que les éleveurs qui ont du cœur font une IMMENSE différence au niveau du bien-être animal et familial!)

Bref, les chiens qui ont un breeding ainsi qu'un breeder solide qui les aide à devenir solides mentalement et qui sont matché en se basant sur la compatibilité ne sont pas ceux qui développent des troubles envahissants.

Et de 2️⃣, parce que dès l'adoption du mignon petit ''bb'', on l'enferme dans une prison dorée en lui évitant tout stress et tout inconfort... La pression dans l'éducation est de plus en plus mise de côté...
Ironiquement, c'est en agissant ainsi on lui fera ultérieurement vivre la pire anxiété puisqu'on ne l'aura pas préparé correctement à la vraie vie qu'il devra un jour ou l'autre affrontée...

On les humanise et de surcroit, on les utilise en bouée de sauvetage émotionnelle.
Conséquemment, on comble nos besoins avant les leurs et on ne les responsabilise pas face à leurs mauvaises actions, tellement qu'on n'ose même plus dire non...
Sauf que quand on le dit, on le répète avec frustration et sans aller au bout de l'intervention, et le mot finit vite par ne plus rien dire... Il devient brûlé au point d'en devenir presque un deuxième prénom!

De ce fait, non seulement on prouve au chien notre instabilité et notre incapacité à le guider et le gérer, mais on lui démontre aussi que quand on dit quelque chose, il y a place à négociation...
Puis on se demande pourquoi il ne nous prend pas au sérieux lorsqu'on lui demande d'arrêter de japper après le passant qui marche de l'autre côté...

À travers tout ce manque de cohésion, on ne favorise ni sa confiance en nous, ni sa confiance en l'environnement, ni sa confiance en lui même...
Comment pouvons nous penser qu'il deviendra calme et assuré alors qu'on lui a présentée la vie et qu'on s'est présenté à lui comme étant synonyme de confusion et d'instabilité?!

En résumé, la réactivité a plusieurs souches... De ce fait, on doit généralement adresser plusieurs couches!
Pour les aider à évoluer, il est important de retenir que la plupart des chiens réactifs NE SONT PAS des chiens confiants!

Parce que c'est seulement en le comprenant qu'on comprend qu'un chien réactif a encore plus besoin de la présence d'une figure de référence en qui il peut avoir pleine confiance.

Un chien réactif a besoin d'un leader qui effectuera un travail de fond, autant sur comment il effectue la gestion des ressources et de la maison, que sur la gestion de ses propres émotions, que sur la régulation de sa gestuelle voir même sa respiration, que sur sa confiance en lui. (En espérant que vous aviez suivie que je parle ici du travail qui est à faire sur le manieur!!! ;) ).

Il va de soi que ce dernier devra également faire une introspection sur le lien d'attachement qu'il entretient avec son animal... Il doit déterminer quel rôle son chien joue pour lui afin de pouvoir subséquemment modifier le rôle qu'il joue aux yeux de chien...

Après, quand le maître aura prouvé à son compagnon qu'il est digne de confiance et respect, on pourra commencer à s'attarder à la réactivité du chien!
Chien qui à son tour aura besoin de guidance et de succès dans son entrainement, mais qui parallèlement a un besoin criant d'un solide pilier sur qui s'appuyer!
(En fait, c'est vrai pour pas mal tous les troubles du comportement ;) )



Elisabeth Morel,
Éducatrice d'humains pour chiens et propriétaire d'Instinct Canin

https://www.facebook.com/100063624729627/posts/603590051771814/?mibextid=Nif5oz
12/16/2022

https://www.facebook.com/100063624729627/posts/603590051771814/?mibextid=Nif5oz

10 steps to help crate train your puppy.

1. Introduce the crate to your puppy by placing it in a room where your puppy spends a lot of time. Leave the door open and encourage your puppy to explore the crate by tossing treats inside.

2. Gradually start feeding your puppy inside the crate, with the door closed. This will help your puppy associate the crate with positive experiences.

3. Gradually increase the amount of time your puppy spends in the crate. Start by leaving them in the crate for a few minutes at a time, and gradually increase the duration.

4. If your puppy starts to whine or bark in the crate, ignore them. This will teach your puppy that barking or whining will not get them out of the crate.

5. If your puppy eliminates inside the crate, immediately clean it up and do not leave them in the crate for as long next time.

6. Once your puppy is comfortable spending time in the crate, start using it for short periods when you are away from home. Gradually increase the duration of time your puppy is in the crate when you are away.

7. Use the crate for naps and overnight sleeping. This will help your puppy learn to settle and relax in the crate.

8. Use positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to reward your puppy for good behavior in the crate.

9. Gradually phase out the use of treats as a reward, and focus on praising your puppy for good behavior in the crate.

10. Continue to use the crate for short periods when you are away from home, and for overnight sleeping. This will help your puppy learn to be comfortable and relaxed in the crate.

https://www.facebook.com/100064659460777/posts/532167842281860/?mibextid=Nif5oz
12/16/2022

https://www.facebook.com/100064659460777/posts/532167842281860/?mibextid=Nif5oz

I have absolutely no doubt, that dog owners that "try" to follow these training ideologies, are doing so to help their dogs, because they believe, from what they were falsely informed, is a kinder method. However, when a methodology is based purely on subjective emotions, and not logic, critical reasoning, and is not based on full behavioural science, then those same emotions can boil over into the opposite extreme... frustration, and eventually build up to anger when things don't go as planned! Where does the dogs owner go then?

Eventually, many dog owners out of frustration, due to a lack of knowledge, unfortunately end up punishing their dog inappropriately when those methods they were told to trust fail them. All because they weren't taught appropriate positive punishment and appropriate negative reinforcement in the first instance. Whether they needed to be applied or not.

Am I suggesting that ALL those that don't follow these ideologies and do understand all 4 quadrants are never abusive? Of course not. There will always be abusive people, no matter their methodology/ideology, whether that be due to a lack of knowledge, or due to out of control ego, or lack of emotional self-control.

However, there would be, in my opinion, a lot less unintentional abusive training of dogs, if dog owners were taught the full spectrum of operant conditioning, and not told to ignore half the quadrants because it makes their trainer feel emotionally uncomfortable.

It's time we moved away form emotive based ideologies, that actually have no scientific basis in behavioural science, and focus on doing whats best for the dog and owner, in helping them achieve the desired results.

Anybody that informs you that the appropriate application of an aversive, or that appropriately applied positive punishment or negative reinforcement is abusive and will do harm to your dog, and therefore your relationship with your dog, have limited to no understanding of the 2 quadrants they refuse to teach you. After-all, they too were taught by someone that had little to no understanding of the other 2 "evil" quadrants, because of their emotion based biases. What you are not taught and refuse to learn and acknowledge, you can not understand!

Ignorance is no excuse. But to them, ignorance is bliss. If your trainer refuses to help you understand total learning theory, all 4 quadrants and their appropriate application, then please, find another trainer. Your dog will thank you.

12/05/2022
https://www.facebook.com/1834624606808272/posts/3823525271251519/?mibextid=Nif5oz
12/03/2022

https://www.facebook.com/1834624606808272/posts/3823525271251519/?mibextid=Nif5oz

It’s a shame that calm, well-mannered dogs are seen as sad or down in the dumps. Maybe it’s because most dogs struggle to get into such a headspace (thinking emoji)

Let’s not confuse energetic, tail-wagging, spunky dogs with being innocently happy, while relaxed, still, and neutral dogs get all the pity. Energy is just energy, whether that’s excitement, arousal, reactivity, etc. It comes out in many ways.

Every dog has that “spark” in them, it’s just a matter of how well they’re able to control it (enter effective training) because calmness should be considered a “happy” trait, too.

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