Motivating Canine

Motivating Canine AVS and IAABC Accredited Dog Trainer. Fear Free Certified Trainer. Certified Family Dog Mediator

Motivating Canine offers a range of 1 to 1 private Fear Free training services to help your furkid. Apart from general dog training, Motivating Canine specialises in attending to rescued dogs of all ages through motivational techniques. These techniques use rewards and positive reinforcement to mould a dog's behaviour, rather than fear and punishment. Our Trainer Jennifer is IAABC Accredited Dog T

rainer, AVS Accredited Dog Trainer, Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer, Certified Family Dog Mediator. Being a member of IAABC, members are to adhere to the use of LIMA, also known as least intrusive, minimally aversive training methods. This means creating training plans with the most humane and effective training methods that are most likely to succeed in the training or behavior change. LIMA does not justify the use of punishment in lieu of other effective interventions and strategies. In the vast majority of behavior cases, desired behavior change can be affected by focusing on the animal’s environment, physical well-being, and operant and classical interventions such as differential reinforcement of an alternative behavior, desensitization, and counter-conditioning. Motivating Canine understands the possible worries, stresses or frustrations that resulted from the dog's behavioural issues. The goal for Motivating Canine is to help dog owners and their dogs build a healthier long-term relationship with better understanding, trust and bond through motivation, positive association, fear free and reward base training methods.

When walking Gino, the Mini Goldendoodle puppy, his mummy encountered several challenges. Gino often demonstrated a refu...
25/06/2025

When walking Gino, the Mini Goldendoodle puppy, his mummy encountered several challenges. Gino often demonstrated a refusal to move, which made it difficult for his mummy to manage their outings. Additionally, he showed fear of going down the stairs, which limited their explorations. His enthusiasm often turned into pulling and barking whenever he spotted kids, other dogs, and birds, which created a chaotic walking experience for both of them.

To address these issues, we extend Gino's leash, allowing him more freedom to explore his surroundings while still under control. We introduced his mummy to the engage/disengage game, a technique create positive association with Gino’s triggers whenever he looked at them.

Throughout the session, we encouraged Gino to sniff and explore his environment at his own pace. It was impressive to see how he gradually became calmer and more engaged with his mummy, despite the distractions present. He even surprised his mummy by confidently running up and down the stairs, an achievement that demonstrated his growing comfort and confidence.

Overall, Gino made remarkable progress during our outdoor session. His ability to remain focused and engaged with his mummy amidst the excitement was commendable. Well done, Gino!

Mochi’s journey has been fraught with misguided training methods that lacked compassion and a scientific foundation. Pre...
24/06/2025

Mochi’s journey has been fraught with misguided training methods that lacked compassion and a scientific foundation. Previous "trainers" recommended harsh techniques such as throwing a shake can, jabbing him in the ribs, and yanking on his leash. They eventually even suggested using a shock collar to suppress his barking at noises and other dogs to which his pawrents refused.

These approaches not only failed to address the root of Mochi’s behavior—stemming from fear and frustration—but also created a negative atmosphere that further stressed both him and his pawrents. They were led to believe that their "over-pampering" were to blame for Mochi's so-called "disobedience," making them feel guilty for wanting to nurture their dog.

Mochi was also taken for pack walks with a controversial company that gained notoriety after being captured on video roughly handling dogs for the sake of taking attractive photographs. These pack walks, which involve multiple dogs walking together, are inherently unnatural and can induce significant stress for the dogs involved. Dogs are social creatures, but they thrive in smaller, more controlled environments where they can engage with their human companions or familiar canine friends.

Engaging in large group walks exposes them to overwhelming stimuli and potential conflicts, which can heighten anxiety. Any true professional that understands canine science, behavior, and psychology, would know the negative implications of such practices, will never conduct pack walks.

Upon learning about what Mochi went through, we were genuinely shocked and upset. Thankfully, Mochi's pawrents looked for a more compassionate and effective training approach and reached out to us for guidance. We are now committed to working closely with them to foster a positive environment where Mochi feels safe and understood. Our goal is to make walks much less stressful for both Mochi and his pawrents, using scientifically-backed methods that prioritize his emotional well-being while teaching him how to navigate the world with confidence. Together, we are embarking on a journey toward better communication and harmony in their relationship.

We introduced Miso to the concept of Fear Free grooming, focusing on creating a positive experience during her bathing s...
23/06/2025

We introduced Miso to the concept of Fear Free grooming, focusing on creating a positive experience during her bathing session. While her pawrents observed, we guided them through techniques to ensure that Miso remains calm and comfortable throughout the process. We emphasized the importance of gentle handling, using the yoghurt filled lick mat and praises. By teaching her pawrents Fear Free grooming, we aimed to equip them with the techniques necessary to help Miso feel relaxed and happy during future grooming sessions at home, preventing what could be a dreaded experience into a more enjoyable one for everyone involved.

Strike a pose! A huge welcome for Yuki, the Japanese Spitz puppy, who has joined us for her Puppy Foundation Programme t...
23/06/2025

Strike a pose! A huge welcome for Yuki, the Japanese Spitz puppy, who has joined us for her Puppy Foundation Programme together with her family!

Congratulations to Charcoal and his family for completing the Project ADORE Programme!
19/06/2025

Congratulations to Charcoal and his family for completing the Project ADORE Programme!

When a dog barks in response to sounds outside their home, it often reflects a deeply rooted instinct inherited from the...
18/06/2025

When a dog barks in response to sounds outside their home, it often reflects a deeply rooted instinct inherited from their ancestral wolves. This behaviour, characterised as distance-increasing barking, typically stems from feelings of fear, wariness, or a natural instinct to alert on potential threats. Throughout history, dogs have been valued for their ability to guard their homes and provide security. However, in the modern day settings, this instinctual behavior has been deemed "undesirable".

In Mocha's case, his previous training included the use of a shake can—a device filled with coins that makes a loud noise—to startle him when he barked at exterior sounds. Punishing or scaring the dog does not help the dog create positive association with the trigger. You can't help someone overcome fear by adding more fear!

Unfortunately, this approach has inadvertently exacerbated his fears. Instead of helping him feel secure, the startling noise prompted Mocha to associate sounds from outside with fear and anxiety. As a result, he will run into the bedroom and hide whenever he heard noises from the outside. This pattern of behaviour has led to an unfortunate consequence: Mocha now experiences significant anxiety about leaving his home and has developed a strong aversion to going for walks.

Fortunately, Mocha's pawrents are empathetic to his struggles and are eager to learn effective strategies to help him manage his fears. In our recent session, we demonstrated an engaging exercise known as the “two plates game.” This activity is designed to gradually boost Mocha's confidence getting him comfortable to venture just outside the threshold of his home. Additionally, we suggested a variety of canine enrichment activities to reduce his fears, anxieties, and stress levels.

Mocha's pawrents will work at his pace with the recommended homework, and we look forward to receiving positive updates from his pawrents. Once we see these improvements with his confidence, we can move forward with outdoor sessions that further promote his comfort and confidence in new surroundings.

Otto, the Lagotto Romagnolo, is fortunate to be surrounded by an incredibly loving family, which also includes their ded...
17/06/2025

Otto, the Lagotto Romagnolo, is fortunate to be surrounded by an incredibly loving family, which also includes their dedicated family helper. Despite facing some behavioural challenges, the entire family is committed to learning how to best support Otto and improve his well-being.

Our sessions with Otto and his family will focus on implementing effective behavior modification strategies to address specific incidents of biting that are associated with sleep aggression, startle response, and resource guarding. We'll work closely with them to understand the underlying causes of these behaviors and develop tailored techniques to manage and mitigate them.

Additionally, we'll be addressing Otto's issues when he's outdoor, particularly focusing on his triggers, which can lead to reactive behaviours. The goal is not only to reduce these incidents but also to enhance Otto's overall quality of life and strengthen the bond he shares with his family. Through patience, education, and consistency, we aim to create a harmonious environment for everyone involved.

A warm welcome to Gino the Mini Goldendoodle puppy for joining us for his Puppy Foundation Programme with his mummy!
16/06/2025

A warm welcome to Gino the Mini Goldendoodle puppy for joining us for his Puppy Foundation Programme with his mummy!

12/06/2025

Udon's pawrents practicing the protocol to prepare for the day when they will bring a new baby home. Most dogs would be overly excited when mummy returns home since they would have been missing them for days while mummy is in the hospital recovering from child birth. This is why we have Daddy to return home later with the baby instead of Mummy.

To ensure a calm introduction, it's crucial for Mummy to first return home to settle Udon before Daddy enters with the newborn. This step will help Udon remain relaxed and engaged in a calm manner. By continuously practicing this routine leading up to the big day, the hope is that Udon will be well practiced to remain calm when Daddy walks through the door carrying the baby.

During this time, her pawrents will be using executing the DSCC (Desensitization, Counter-Conditioning) protocol with the clicker as the marker system since they had been using the clicker with Udon previously. By clicking and treating Udon whenever she looks at the baby, this creates positive associations with the sight of the new family member.

On a lighter note, this practice not only benefits Udon but also serves as a valuable opportunity for her pawrents to learn the proper techniques for safely carrying and transferring a baby. It’s an exciting time of preparation filled with learning and anticipation as they get ready to welcome their newest family member.

Engaging young children in dog training sessions can significantly enhance the bond between the child and the family dog...
12/06/2025

Engaging young children in dog training sessions can significantly enhance the bond between the child and the family dog. These engaging experiences not only promote a deeper understanding of canine behavior and communication but also foster a sense of responsibility in the child. Here is Patti and her young human sharing joyful moments as they work together. This hands-on involvement allows the child to observe how the dog responds to cues, building empathy and respect for the dog. Ultimately, such training sessions create a nurturing environment where both the dog and the child can grow closer, cultivating a lifelong relationship.

11/06/2025

Toffee's pawrents practicing the "leave it" and "take it" cues with Toffee.

Outdoor socialisation with Miso and her pawrents.
11/06/2025

Outdoor socialisation with Miso and her pawrents.

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Tai Seng

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