Rescue Dog Success

04/13/2024

For those of you who rescued dogs, please let me know what the biggest problems were integrating the rescue dog into your household. Also please let me know how old the dog was at time of rescue. This will help me decide what materials to cover in the educational materials I'm preparing to help people rescue successfully.

01/12/2024

Many rescues don't talk to adopters about the importance of training to help rescue dogs fit in with their adoptive families. The training should cover basic cues/commands like come, stay and leave it as well as not leash pulling. But also very important is to help new owners discover the best games to play, how to avoid resource guarding and what things dogs find frightening or threatening. This basic work of mutual understanding may keep a lot of dogs in their adoptive homes

12/25/2023

12/24/2023

I have come down with something and will be spending Christmas in bed and taking care of the dogs and my dear parrot.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and thank you for spreading much more cheer than we've been seeing in the world lately.
Have a holiday filled with love and hope.

12/16/2023

If a new dog for you or someone else is part of your holiday plans, think seriously about planning the new homecoming in a way that helps this dog feel safe and learn who their new family core unit is, who they can start to trust.
New dogs should not be exposed to groups of extended family, friends and especially not of the kind who will try to tell the dog what to do. Beware of children. Don't allow them to meet the new dog in groups or to rush towards, hug or lean over the dog. This is extremely intimidating and looks like an attack to many dogs. That can trigger fight or flight responses and potentially long lasting distrust of that or any kid. Any meetings with a child, or adult, should allow the dog plenty of space to move away freely.
New dogs are best restricted to getting to know and trust their new home and new family members in harmony. Their new world needs time to make sense to them.

But what if the new dog acts bold and outgoing? Can you take chances with an immediate social life? Not so much. You should still your new dog several weeks of a quiet life.

What about young pups? Don't they need the socialization? Socialization is not the same as throwing them in the deep end of the social pool. It needs to planned, controlled, have a goal and be time limited to very short sessions. House guests and parties are not good exposures because they last too long and you can't control what other people do.

Get in touch if you have questions about specific situations.

Have holidays full of love and giving.

10/14/2023

This looks so good! Like coffee flan.

09/16/2023

I have started a new page for my dog training and behavior consulting business and you are all welcome to follow it for training and behavior tips, ways to work with me personally, news of blogs and videos, etc. Here is a link. I hope to see you there.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550992111471

Winner of Multiple Dog Training Titles and Certified as a Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) & (CCBC-KA)

05/02/2023

. Thanks to all you Doberman rescue folks who have visited the pagethis last couple of days and to Meredith for mentioning it. I feel so strongly that more has to be done regularly to help rescue dogs feel secure in their new role. Love is not enough. They need a process that grows a huge bond. I love Dobes. They are sensitive and funny and can get very confused when they don't have a solid base and clearly communicated guidance. I'll be seeing another rescue Dobe tomorrow who sounds like a fundamentally great dog who has some confusion over what his role is. I can't wait. Please let me know if there are any features on this page that you would like me to create to be of help. And if you need personalized help, please reach out to me.