#ashevilledogtraining #reactivedogtraining #ashevillenc #hurricane #hurricanehelene #weavervillenc
There was a (terribly faulty) study put out recently to compare the effectiveness of ecollars and treats for off leash recall training... but what if both of those tools weren't necessary to get a rock solid recall?
No amount of tastey snacks or painful zaps trumps a solid relationship with your dog. It can be done!
*I guess this recall is kind of cheating as she does know her property boundaries and she hit her property line... but that wasn't trained with treats or ecollars either 😁
#ashevilledogtrainer #ashevillenc #reactivedogsupport #reactivedogs #reactivedogtraining #offleashrecall
Watch Maverick stay calm during his nail grinding session! 🐾 We're making progress by respecting his signals and keeping him comfortable every step of the way!
We've been gradually building Maverick's comfort with nail grinding. In this lesson, we were focusing on extending the time he's relaxed with the dremmel.
He's learned to lie flat on his side to signal he's ready and we will always listen if he lifts his head to signal he needs a break. In this video he's not totally flat- sweetly deciding my leg makes a perfect pillow instead. It's all about making the process as calm and positive as possible.
#ashevilledogtraining #ashevilledogs #ashevillenc #reactivedogs #reactivedogtraining #dogtraining #cooperativecare #fearfreepets
Hey dog parents, let's get real for a second. When you go to research or ask training advice online, you are sure to be met with a bunch of different answers with equally as many comments about why that method is wrong and will ruin your dog. How do you feel when you see dog trainers arguing in the comments on social media? 😤 Does it make you question their advice or just add to the confusion and stress of training your dog? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and let's chat about it! 🐶💬
#dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogtrainers #dogmomlife #ashevilledogtraining
Yesterday I shared our care plan for 4th of July. How did it go you may wonder?
Well...I'd say it peaked at a 7 out of 10 (if 10 was max anxiety). But overall for the whole night, a 5-6 out of 10.
In the beginning when the booms were more sporadic, Harley was able to play her movement pattern game (this video) Though more sloppily than on a normal day, she still gave it a go. The idea here is to reward for a complete pass through the obsticals, but in this case, I rewarded any movement towards the "right answer". I was proud of her for her efforts.
When the booms were more consistent, she chose the closet to hide in. I folded and put away my laundry to keep myself behaving normally while she was at her peak of fear.
It was an activity we could do "together" that didn't require her to think or come out of hiding.
At one point she did request her crate to be set up. It was folded up and stored away but she went over to it and pawed at it. So of course I set it up and covered it with blankets. She sat in there for 5 min and then went back to the closet.
We ended up eating a late dinner so she came out of hiding to cook with us. She observed the activities while lying on her kitchen bed. This was her bravest moments as the fireworks were still going on. She didn't want any snacks but I'm pretty sure she was a Michelin star chef in a past life and needs to supervise her sous chef Jesse.
We all climbed into bed for dinner and a movie, where she spent the rest of the evening curled up in a ball between me and Jesse.
When the booms stopped, she took her marrow bone to her own bed and chewed until she fell asleep.
We survived but we're doing our rain dance to summon the storms in hopes that any firework events are cancled this weekend.
How did your night go?
Going to the vet or groomers can be REALLY stressful on many dogs (and their parents). This often leads to avoiding routine care or downright refusal of service due to dangerous behavior.
But what if it didn't have to be this way?
What if your spicy dog didn't try to eat your vet or groomer and instead became a willing participant in their care?
I've got news for you...this dream is can be your reality with Cooperative Care training!
If you want an end to the wrestling matches, or worse, being fired from your care providers...send me a message. Together we can transform those visits from stress to success!
#ashevillenc #ashevilledogtraining #ashevilledogs
#cooperativecare #reactivedogsupport #reactivedogparent #reactivedogtraining
🌟💡 Did You Know? The Secret to a Calmer, Happier Dog Could Be...You! 💡🌟
Fellow dog parents, have you ever noticed how your mood can directly affect your dog's behavior? It's not just a coincidence; it's a fascinating interplay called emotional co-regulation. This concept explains how our emotions and those of our dogs influence each other, for better or worse.
🐾 Emotional co-regulation reveals that our feelings can act like an emotional thermostat for our dogs. When we're calm and confident, our dogs are more likely to mirror that calmness. This is incredibly beneficial for dogs undergoing reactivity training. It helps them approach the world with less fear and anxiety, making training sessions more productive and their interactions with the world more positive.
🚫 However, it's a double-edged sword. Just as our calmness can soothe them, our stress or agitation can do the opposite. Dogs are incredibly attuned to our emotional states, picking up on cues we might not even be aware we're giving. So, if we approach a training session feeling frustrated or anxious, our dogs might pick up on these emotions, making them more likely to react negatively to their triggers.
👣 So, what can we do? The key lies in becoming more mindful of our own emotional states. Before stepping into a training session or a potentially stressful situation with your dog, take a moment to check in with yourself. A few deep breaths, a moment of mindfulness, or even giving yourself permission to avoid the situation until you are ready to show up for your dog as your calmest self. Not only will this help you approach the situation more calmly, but it will also set a positive example for your dog.
🌈 By working on our own emotional regulation, we don't just improve our well-being; we also provide a more supportive environment for our dogs. This doesn't mean we have to be zen masters 24/7. It's about making a conscious effort to manage our reactions and emotions, especia
Jax practicing his muzzle training in yesterday's lesson!
Jax is not a fan of wearing a muzzle at the vet's (or in general) so we are teaching him to put his muzzle on himself.
Last week we introduced holding the muzzle while he pokes his nose in for a treat. This week we added a little duration. Our criteria for earning a treat is to hold his nose in the muzzle for 2 seconds, and then gradually add 1 second longer as he is able to be successful.
Piper had an amazing lesson today!
We tackled the park that caused her and her mom the mental breakdown that prompted them to call me!
In this video, we are being approached by a dog and a person on roller skates.
We make an arch around them, which is far more polite in dog language than continuing to walk straight towards each other.
Piper stops to sniff to signal to the other dog that she means no threat. We also place her dad between her and the oncoming dog to "split" which is another form of supportive communication to Piper.
As the dog passes, she looks back at them to gather more information and then she happily checks in with her mom for a good girl snack.
No more crying back at the car in the parking lot! Piper and her parents are navigating crowded parks with ease and confidence!
#reactivedog #reactivedogtraining #reactivedogsaregooddogstoo #asheville #ashevilledogs #fearfreetraining
Socialization for a reactive dog is not about greeting every person and dog you see, it's about exposing your to triggers at a distance they can cope with.
Reactivity training doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's just sitting at the park watching the world go by.
