You Silly Dog, LLC

12/05/2024

Recommendations for a dog sitter or dog boarding in Anne Arundel county?

12/05/2024

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ShopCanineAesthete.com

12/05/2024

I often hear frequent complaints about dogs not wanting to come when called. It’s not so much that people don’t know how to train a dog to come, it’s that they have unintentionally paired the word with things their dog doesn’t like. If your dog doesn’t come when called, consider the following:

- Avoid calling your dog to do things he doesn’t like such as clipping his nails, giving him a bath or putting him in the crate. If you need to groom your dog, just go get him. If you want him to go in the crate, say “go to the crate” or choose another cue other than “come”.

- Don’t just call your dog when it’s time to go in from outside or when it’s time to leave the dog park. Your dog will protest and play keep away.

- Practice calling your dog in the yard. Always praise him, sometimes give him treats, other times toss a toy for him as reward, sometimes give him belly rubs or other types of rewards that he likes. When it really is time to come inside, reward your dog lavishly and don’t immediately rush him into the crate. You don’t want him to think he’s being punished for listening.

- Practice calling your dog at the dog park. You’ll need to start when there aren’t too many dogs there initially. Since you shouldn’t use food in this environment, make sure your dog first has a good understanding of coming before you work in the dog park. Use other types of rewards such as praise, belly rubs and butt scratches, fetch, tug and most importantly allowing the dog to go back and play.

- Try not to water down your verbal cue “come” by saying it too much especially when it’s unnecessary. If you have a habit of saying “come”, “come on”, “come here” when you’re walking your dog on leash, try using “let’s go” instead. Save “come” for when it really counts.

- Coming when called should be exciting and fun! The more fun and games you can incorporate into your training, the better your results will be.

12/04/2024

Excitement is not a behavior problem!Pulling, jumping, barking or eating inappropriate items… Those are things that are problematic and can be addressed gently and effectively. 

12/03/2024

Clients often ask me if their anxious, fearful, or aggressive dog needs prescription medication to cope. Sometimes, they ask about things like CBD, too. (Although I have an open mind for future research, I have yet to see CBD work well when we track data and have control groups to avoid placebo effects.)

Other times, clients have no idea their dog is experiencing atypical stress levels, or they know, but don’t understand how this contributes to behavior challenges.

Stress can be expressed with body language that might suggest readiness for "fight or flight" as well as "freeze" or “fawn,” and even "fidget." (Fidget is hu***ng, jumping, zooming, arousal biting, and "wild" behavior.)

As an ethical trainer, I cannot suggest specific medication, but I can suggest a discussion with a vet, ideally a vet behaviorist, and I can provide data points to help them make decisions:

* I might list body language and behaviors I see in response to identified triggers.

* I might note how persistent and proportionate the response is to the provocation (see Suzanne Clothier's excellent article below about the 3 Ps in the link.)

* I might take some videos to help the vet see what we see at home, too.

* I might note that avoiding triggers is impossible (e.g. separation anxiety where people work outside the home, or reactions to loud sounds or strangers or other dogs while people live in a city)

* I might highlight certain behaviors or body language that may be linked to discomfort or pain related to GI issues, joint issues, or allergies, like excessive licking.

Sometimes, the vet will suggest a long-term, daily prescription.

Sometimes, they will suggest a short-acting medication that may be sedating.

Sometimes, they use them in combination. It's not something that a trainer can decide for you, ethically or professionally.

Visit the link below to see excellent resources you can use as you consider what's right for your dog. You can also find the page on that site to set up a consultation if you want my help with your dog or if you're a trainer or other dog pro, help with a challenging case.

https://tinyurl.com/meds4dogs

12/03/2024

What animal related charity are you donating to this Giving Tuesday?

12/03/2024

Why punishment “works” Thanks https://www.facebook.com/rplusdogsbehaviour/

12/02/2024

Client dog Bella is all ears during our training lesson. She heard there might be a pop quiz later. 😄

12/01/2024

Share your dog’s photo in the comments! 😄

THEY DO!

Unleash the savings! Get 25% OFF Dog Sport Tees and Decals at ShopCanineAesthete.com this Black Friday!

12/01/2024

As you start to decorate for the holidays, recognize that to your dog an ornament looks like a shiny new toy. Decorate high or wrap a pen around your tree and gifts to keep your dog away! (Results may vary!)

11/30/2024

✨ Today is Small Business Saturday and I’d Love Your Support! ✨

If you’ve enjoyed training with me, I’d be so grateful if you could share your experience by leaving a review! Your feedback helps me grow and continue doing what I love. ❤

Please take a moment to leave a review on my Google page—just click the link below! 👇

https://g.page/r/Ca7H4qAhNR1PEBM/review

Thank you so much for your support! ☺

11/29/2024

Cerenia makes this possible for us. 😊

11/29/2024

How’d your dog do on Thanksgiving? Brags or Nags?

11/29/2024

11/28/2024

I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many people committed to positive reinforcement, force-free training. Thank you for believing that there is a kinder, gentler method for teaching dogs. I greatly appreciate your trust and confidence in me and I feel very blessed to have met so many wonderful people and dogs.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11/27/2024

✨ This Small Business Saturday, I’d Love Your Support! ✨

If you’ve enjoyed training with me, I’d be so grateful if you could share your experience by leaving a review! Your feedback helps me grow and continue doing what I love. ❤

Please take a moment to leave a review on my Google page—just click the link below! 👇

https://g.page/r/Ca7H4qAhNR1PEBM/review

Thank you so much for your support! ☺

11/26/2024

Stuff those Kongs with safe, holiday yummies!