My number one thing I tell clients is, teach your dog how to “just be” everything else comes easier once you have a dog in the right state of mind. The vast majority of dogs do not know how to just chill, relax. Most people think their dogs “always have to do something and be stimulated”. (In return this creates a lot of chaos, “anxiety” etc… but that post is for another day) If you do not have a dog in a calm headspace, it doesn’t matter the tools, the food, you will never change an emotional response. If you don’t teach your dog how to regulate their emotions, how to regulate adrenaline, you will only add chaos to something you are trying to change. If your dog is reactive, remember, training starts with the mental work first, tackling a headspace that is most likely in overdrive, before adding any other stimulus into the picture. You can feed your reactive dog all day long, but if we are feeding adrenaline, guess what, we are feeding reactions.
When we are on, we are on, and when we are off we are off. This doesn’t come naturally, dogs need to be taught how to turn on and shut off.
We decided to take our two to Starbucks for a lunch break. There were many people, cars, action around, and this is what our dogs are doing, on their own. Other then tying them back so we could go get food, I never once gave them a command, they chose to do this on their own, and trust me when I say, that Malinois is a Malinois when he’s on.
Before I even think about working outside pieces, we always tackle the state of mind first.
That is all 👏👏
Chance is enjoying the finer things in life ☀️😝
Chance enjoying the finner things in life ☀️😝
He is still looking for his forever home ❤️
Brothers
Then there is our two.. they don’t get highlighted often, but here’s Gator and Koda…..turn on the volume to hear the lion roar 🦁 😂
Enrichment
It was a cold 🥶 day, but a beautiful day! The sun was shining and everyone had a blast exploring the trails. We are so happy to be able to offer dogs to be dogs 🐕
Dex building… Shepherd “the pack split up, must keep an eye out for dad” … Malinois “tree must die” 😂😂😂😆😅
Sometimes you just need a manicure 😂🥰 P.S Gator used to hate having his paws/nails touched. Build trust and everything else comes ❤️
Does your dog run away from you when you try to put on any tools? 😳
Chester would run, squirm, grumble, mouth and do everything he could to not get his harness on. How do we change an emotional response? Make it fun, look at how proud he is when he steps into his harness 🥰🥰 Chester is perfect 😍
This little girl, Fiby, is so fun to work with! So much personality 🥰
Introducing a dog who is unsure of new people has many steps.
1. There needs to be a relationship between handler and dog. If the dog doesn’t trust that you can handle the situation, than why should they trust a new person? THIS could take weeks to develop, don’t jump steps until you and your dog are ready.
2. Some form of solid “sequence obedience”. What does that mean? It means that you drilled a feel good, proud, sequence into your dog. Something you can use in the moment. For example: in this video, Chance is performing, “place”, “break”, “sit”. Remember it shouldn’t be complicated. When a dog has reached the point of overwhelm, the ability to retain information is not there, keep it simple. Your dog doesn’t have to watch, spin, touch, back flip, sky dive…. Keep it simple.
3. In order to change an emotional response, good things have to happen. Rinse and repeat that sequence until you notice your dog change the thought of “oh crap threat”, to “meh, Im good”.
4. Put your dog away after you changed his emotional response. Dogs learn in patterns. You can build on to your pattern when your dog is ready.
If your dog is unsure of people/dogs …. NEVER let them make the first decision.
Watch Chance meet a new person, and feel good about it. I sped up the video. It was a total of 6 minutes 😉
Fiby has joined Chance for a board and train. She was the perfect snow princess today 👸👸
Snort Worthy 😂😂
Me : “Chester, stop being mouthy to Quinn”
Banff: “Don’t worry, I’ll help”
Banff : “Stap, stap, STAPPPPPP”
😂🤣
This crew all of completely different personalities, and it’s hilarious to watch 😂🥰
Banff and Chester helping gather wood for fires 😂❤️
Good morning 🌞 some Sunday morning cuteness to start your day ❤️
Quinn (shepherd) is in a board and train program to work on her bravery and reactivity. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with her and reading other dogs. She is a perfect girl with Chester (4 month old Corgi).
Also, is Chester not the cutest thing in the world? 😂🥰
It was a beautiful day for a hangout ❤️
Preparing for a new baby to come into the house with dogs is much more than just doing it. Mentally preparing change and routine is such an important piece. Different objects, noise etc… there are so many pieces to the puzzle. Today we worked on Bernie and Monty respecting the stroller and establishing some boundaries 🥰🥰 these two are perfect! ❤️
Thank you ladies for coming out and helping Rio become a braver boy! I’m so proud of the big guy 🥰
Rio is reactive/aggressive towards people and dogs. He is coming to the end of his board and train, these lovely ladies (plus the one behind the camera 😉) came out with their dogs to help Rio work his magic. ❤️
Rio has learnt to use his teeth when he doesn’t want the muzzle on. So I am working on conditioning the muzzle. Sometimes you just have to show them 😅😂 enjoy the blooper!
(I’ve been videoing the whole process and will post it up when it’s done. For now enjoy the fun 🤩 🤣🤣)
Our recent pack walk!
Everyone did amazing 🥰