Take the Lead Dog Training

07/12/2024

Preach! 🙌 Not me on this one.

Focus on changing the emotions and you’ll see a change in behaviour.

Singed me
A cookie pusher. 😉

BEHAVIOURAL NEUTRALITY DOES NOT MEAN EMOTIONAL NEUTRALITY - BUT DO WE CARE?

Dogs who react to triggers through vocalising, lunging, pulling on the lead, growling etc etc etc are behaving that way because they feel distressed. Whether that distress be over excitement, frustration, fear, anxiety, conflict or a mix of a few, it's emotional distress.

If our goal is on stopping the behaviour then we need to look at alleviating the emotion behind the behaviour. Just stopping the behaviour and gaining behavioural neutrality means NOTHING if underneath the dog is still in distress.

Forcing a dog into "not reacting" by punishing them for expressing their emotions is not helping them. It may be helping the owners, as absolutely nobody WANTS a dog that over reacts to normal everyday things. But it's the dog in the deepest distress. It's the dog who is having a complete neurochemical reaction that overtakes their mind and body. It's the dog who deserves to feel better.

And a dog that is behaving "better", out of fear of pain or mistreatment, isn't a dog that is feeling better. In fact, they could very well be feeling worse.

And I really wish we'd start to prioritise a dog's emotional experience over their behavioural one.

It isn't impressive to me to see dogs being forced into behavioural neutrality when their body language is one of learned helplessness. In fact it just angers me because if the dog could write the review, I wonder what they'd say?

Look into the dogs eyes and you'll see a world of emotion. You can either be on their side, facing the emotion together as a team, or you can abandon their right to be an emotional being and just focus on getting them to behave the way you want them to.

I am reminded again of one of my clients who said "I'd rather be a fool for being kind...". It isn't wrong to want an answer to a problem but it's not just about the end result. How you get there and what damage is done along the way matters.

04/12/2024

This is a reminder to all of you that are working through difficult issues with your dogs.

Change takes time. Be consistent, empathetic, reward with high value food, keep sessions short and appreciate every single success....oh and keep expectations in check!

You're doing great! Your dog isn't loving the way they feel when they lash out or snap etc. They're doing the best they can until you teach them another option.

Whether you have a reactive dog or a dog with specific fears, desensitising a dog is an essential dog training technique that involves gradually exposing the...

03/12/2024

Slow mo catch. Let’s see them if you’ve got one!

01/12/2024

Management vs training

Sometimes it’s easier to manage a situation to prevent the unwanted behaviour from occurring than it is to train the dog out of a behaviour. Take this example with Louie and the bath mat.
1. Louie grabs bath mat
2. Me getting up to interact with Louie
✅ Consequence of his actions achieved: I engage with him.

Now, one might say with distain that he’s attention seeking, that he’s being a ‘brat’, manipulative. Those words are a human construct and don’t say much about his motivation. And we always have to look at motivation if we’re going to learn about our dogs and what we can do to get most, if not all, their needs met. Food and a warm place to sleep isn’t enough!

Getting back to the bath mat…this is on ➡️ me ⬅️.
1. I left the door open
2. I left the mat on the floor

To prevent this familiar behaviour from occurring I need to manage the environment better.
✅ pick up the bath mat OR ✅ close the door to the bathroom.

These are simple measures to take to prevent Louie taking the bath mat.

If your dog is performing a behaviour you don’t want to see then take steps to prevent it from occurring ( management) or get training or as in this case, I need to notice when Louie wants to engage and do something and engage with him.

25/11/2024

January classes are open for registration.
Jump to the website for more information on the training goals for each class.

Small groups
West Kelowna
Weekly training reminders through email
Positive reinforcement all the way!

www.taketheleaddogtraining.ca
250-808-4122

24/11/2024

Search to find the full article.

20/11/2024

"With every interaction you're building trust or eroding it".
No matter how small the interaction, one or the other is happening.

I ask my clients to keep this in mind when they're working with their dogs or when they're spending time with their dogs. Are you willing to erode trust to get what you want or can you see how trust over compliance is best in the long run for you and your dog?

I'm fortunate to work with lovely people who align with my ethics and attitude towards dogs. Sometimes they come to me already feeling empathy and compassion towards their dog and looking for a trainer that aligns with their beliefs. Sometimes I work with people and show them their gut feeling is correct, that they can be kind and still teach their dog. Often I give them permission to have an 'imperfect' dog and to find more humour and thus build confidence in their choice to have empathy and compassion instead of a 'perfect' dog. They can stop listening to the neighbors, tv trainers, etc. giving them information that goes against what is in their gut.

🫵 You're not a bad guardian for having empathy and compassion for your dog! Your not a bad person for adapting your behaviour to your dog if that is what is best (for the time being or for the life of the dog).

Its my believe and practice that we DO NOT gain behaviour at the expense of the dog. If trust and feeling safe will be eroded, I don't do it. However, if something needs to be done (vet visits or or something that keeps the dog physically safe in that moment) then it has to happen BUT I'll be working on that issue in the future.

That means, if the dog doesn't feel safe, we don't move forward but we do look closely at why the dog doesn't feel safe and start there.

Sometimes training isn't about learning physical skills but the ability to allow the dog to feel safe with their guardian, and their environment. It's only then that we can start to ask the dog to take in information, learn new skills and develop curiosity and optimism.

15/11/2024

Working in the hallway is convenient. But this is a first!

Cats in the hallway out for a stroll.

Yes, I was actually herding the friendly cats away from the dog. 😆

11/11/2024

Newly adopted Annie is having issues when the leash and harness come out.

So in lesson 1 we started ‘stationing’ to a towel. Her guardian plans to have Annie on the couch on her Mat so she can get ready for walks… which she enjoys.

Annie was quick to get the mat concept in the floor so we then ‘transfered’ the cue (towel) to the couch. No problem for Annie. Next is the continuation of desensitizing the leash and createing a good association to it. We start with a new skill like stationing and progress from there.
Super cute for Saturday work.

08/11/2024

05/11/2024

Truth?! Well I may be biased. 😆

04/11/2024

A beautiful Sunday morning with Goose.
His guardians have stopped taking him out a while back because the outbursts were so aversive for them and not good for Goose. He’s friendly and enthusiastic…too enthusiastic 🤩

This is lesson #4 and the first lesson off property. Up to this day, we introduced new coping skills (pattern games), mat work and cleaned up the leash walking and with some self regulation skills learned and practiced in the house and yard, we headed out to an ‘easy’ location. I’d say this was a 'High school’ location. If you've worked with me you’ll know what I mean. 😉

We’re exposing Goose to dogs and kids. Watch for:
Loose body to still body.
Wagging tail to still tail
Panting to closed mouth resulting in shallow breathing not breathing
Fixation or sticky observation
Shaking leg
Raised head to sniff (information gathering)
Some of the signals/communication he is offering to tell us about his emotions in that moment. All are signs of a dog focusing too hard on something that may upset them.

I'm not saying dogs can’t look BUT we want them to look and have a loose body, continue panting if they were and/or tail wagging if they were tail wagging. These are all signs of a relaxed dog and signals that communicate the dog is OK with the stimulus.

In this scenario, for this dog, stillness means brain is in gear a little too long with something that may create emotional upheaval. Therefore, you can see that Goose isn't taking in information we offer because his focus is elsewhere; think 'tunnel vision'.

Sooo…his guardian creates distance to help Goose manage his emotions and to remain in a state of learning (intake of information). No tugging, but verbal encouraging, loose leash and reinforcement when he does the wanted behaviour: looking up or away from the stimulus or looking and displaying a relaxed body.

Helping dogs with emotions requires them to be calm when we expose them to the trigger. NOT avoidance but exposure where they can 'listen' to what their gaurdian is telling them 🤔. Learn how to read the dog and you're able to make quick choices that benefit them and prevent 'incidents'.

22/10/2024

Pattern game: UP DOWN

Louie gets excited in scent class. It’s hard to watch others play in the scent ring, hard to not meet all the beautiful people there or greet the dogs walking past him that are just a few feet away. And ladies!

So to help work through those emotions and process them (to stop the focus therefore whining) I play the Up Down (Leslie McDevitt) pattern game. It helps him redirect and do something more productive for his brain and helps him process the impatience he may be feeling.

And while I love the wagging tail, it’s better for him and his needs, not mine... As always.

20/10/2024

Mat training for the WIN again! We’re at scent class and Louie is a little excited when we enter this environment. He wants to meet people, the dogs and he wants to search. 👀 I love it but I have to help him settle until its his turn and teach him he can't meet everyone all the time. Suuuper Hard for Louie! 🥰

The floor is all black so there are no visual boundaries for him. I use the yoga mat to help him focus on one location and to make the choice of staying in place, easier. This helps him process his emotions and places him next to me so I can reassure him with a light touch of my had or allow him to lean into me. It also makes my decision as to where I want him, easier.

Don’t dismiss mat work or stationing or place or whatever you want to call it. It’s highly valuable in many scenarios and can help with your dogs self regulation. It tells them what to do and where to do it thus removing unnecessary thinking of where to be so they can focus on you, games and remaining a little calmer.

19/10/2024

17/10/2024

Dogs are so much more than sit, down and shake a paw. FYI: Dogs know how to sit and they know how to down. What you are teaching them is to do it when they hear a sound (cue).

People are focusing allot on the wrong thing when it comes to their dog. They focus on behavior they want and stopping what they don't like.

Do you look deeper at your dog and beyond behaviour that doesn't work for you? If we keep dumbing dogs down to what needs fixing (and the belief that all will be well), we'll minimize all that a dog has to offer and that may serve you but frustrate the dog.

There is so much pressure on us to have perfect dogs. Some would have you believe an uncontrolled dog is a dead one and that extremist preaching only serves to shame you and me for not having 'well' behaved dogs. And that begs...What is a well behaved dog???

Each of us gets to decide what bothers us but remember this: you've brought a live animal into your home. One that is capable of learning so much and adapting to its environment we have asked them to live in. And over time, they succeed. Amazing isn't it!

But sometimes it's not enough! They have to learn specific, non-dog behaviours because you think it's important They can't express their excitement in ways that work for them and occur naturally, and they can't express their dislike because we don't like the way they express it. As a species, it seems like a losing situation for them.

Want an easier life with your dog? Embrace the 'imperfections' that you think your dog exhibits. *They're perfect btw. Watch your dog. Sit with your dog without handling your dog. Spend time with your dog without an agenda and an expectation.

I write this to get you off the hook for having a dog who's behaviour irritates/upsets/embarasses you. He will. She will. Its ok! Relax.
Laugh more with your dog.
Play with your dog when they invite you to.
Get curious and try to understand why they do what they do. You may not understand their behaviour at times but being curious can stop us from reacting in ways that will erode trust and dumb down a dogs life. Eating a cup of shredded cheese isn't the end of the world. I'm more concerned he'll get constipated from eating it. 😄. I learned to watch my dog when I turn my back and there's shredded cheese around!

Through my dogs, I've learned to relax, to let go and pick my battles and that is what I'm asking you to do. Work on the issues that are a real problem for you but ask yourself, why is this a problem for me?
I say it often: dogs are mirrors that reflect who we are in our response to their behaviour.
Dogs are magical in this skill! You can look and observe your response, learn from it and change or don't. But we can do better when we look a little deeper and get curious about ourselves. Being better for ourselves can only result in benefits for the dogs.

16/10/2024

Lizzy is 5 mos and in her final home living the good life ON THE COUCH! We're going to work on mental enrichment, self regulation and keeping her sharp mind, satiated.

So, let's keep something in mind: dogs are captive animals. No matter how long they've been domesticated, no matter what options they have in your home or outside of your home, they are still captive. You control everything!

'Dominance' is fluid: Fluid when it comes to resources (food/water), toys, location, and for breeding purposes. It can be a matter of life and death. Dogs are not inherently trying to run our world; Manipulate or Coerce us.

Think of it as consequences instead! Like US, they do what works, meaning: what gets the result they desire including growling or biting to stop you or jumping up to reach you or to cope with big emotions, or pull on the leash to explore their environment thoroughly or nudging your arm/hand for your touch.

Do confident dogs exists? Do dogs act in a dominant fashion, at times? Yes and Yes. But all too often the term 'dominant is thrown around to justify someone's 'hierarchy' method of thinking/training and subsequent actions to 'fix' the problem.

TIP: Look at what happened before the unwanted behaviour occurred then look at what outcome the dog may of wanted.
Ask questions.
Be curious.
Stop assuming dogs want to be dominant.

⬇️ Another keen puppy to work with. 🥰