The Kind Canine

09/10/2024

If your dog takes food anywhere in any circumstance, you might want to consider whether taking food is an appropriate barometer for threshold for your dog.
Trainers will often use the eating behavior to gauge whether a dog is “under threshold” and able to learn. If the dog is eating, they must feel okay, right?

Well, this isn’t always the case.

I’ve always loved that my dog, Nia, loses interest in even the “highest value” of food as soon as she starts to feel uncomfortable. Eating is a fragile behavior for Nia. For her, it is a fairly accurate barometer for whether she is in her “thinking brain” - it is one of our most reliable indicators of whether we will be able to work under this particular set of conditions.

However, for a “typical black lab type” who LOVES food and will take it in any and all circumstances (and let’s say, for the sake of this example, that this dog is also wary of unfamiliar people), he will eat until he is right up next to the person. In most cases, the lab is still very uncomfortable - maybe taking the food hard and then going to lunge at the person, seemingly “out of nowhere”. Sure, this dog was still eating moments ago - but has he been truly comfortable and under threshold? Definitely not. He’s clearly still very concerned about the person and worrying about his own safety.

I often ask my clients to take a “multi-faceted” observational approach to their dog and whether they are in a state for productive and helpful learning.

1️⃣ Do they respond to they’re well-conditioned marker word in this context?

2️⃣ Do they respond to requests for known (and well practiced) behaviors?

3️⃣ Are they taking food in a reasonably calm and relaxed way or are they “sharking it” out of your hand?

4️⃣ Are they offering sustained, easy engagement with you or are they going right back to scanning for triggers after taking food?

5️⃣ Can they engage in social play with you? Do they seek connection and interaction with you?

There are many other ways to assess threshold - these are just a few. But whether or not your dog is eating is almost never the full picture!

09/08/2024

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 wise words from Susan Garrett's DogsThat!

The number one reason dogs get into trouble has to do with our expectations as owners compared to the level of education our dog has.

09/03/2024

Worried about your dog becoming “treat dependent”? Let’s talk about it.

Here’s why you might not need to stress too much about using food rewards, especially when you’re in the first several months of working more “formally” with your dog:

1️⃣ Leveraging the power of biology/domestication: Using food in training with dogs caters to their natural instincts related to the process of domestication. As descendants of wolves, dogs have a strong instinct to search for and consume food. By incorporating food rewards during training, we are leveraging this inherent drive - making the learning process more engaging and enjoyable for dogs. This fosters a positive relationship, mimicking the mutual benefits that may have contributed to their domestication thousands of years ago.

2️⃣ Long term goals: The short term goal of using treats/food rewards is to reinforce and BUILD desired behavior, build positive associations and develop complexity/generalization of skills. The long term goal of training is to gradually fade out treats and use them more intermittently. Once the dog has learned the desired behavior and is fluent under many conditions, you can play with other forms of reinforcement. Thinking about what your dog WANTS (which can also include things like getting space from other people, access to outside, going for a walk, etc.) and using those things strategically can help you move to more natural rewards in order to maintain skills. This is done over a process of teaching individual skills in the LONG term - not over the course of a handful of training sessions!

3️⃣ Food as a bonding tool: How do humans connect with one another? We go out for a meal, share popcorn at a movie, cook for one another - food can be a POWERFUL bonding tool. Additionally, sharing a meal with someone can increase oxytocin levels - enhancing feelings of closeness/trust. Both dogs AND humans both experience oxytocin release when they experience positive feelings or interact with another being in a positive way. Using food more thoughtfully in our training and interactions with our dogs can have a profoundly positive impact on our relationship.

08/27/2024

Chester is currently being treated for pain concerns via PT exercises, laser therapy and pain medication. He has a disc issue in his spine and signs of early arthritis in his front right paw, which had a digit amputated when he was around a year old.

I got him evaluated by a physio/rehab therapist a couple of months ago because I noticed subtle shifts in his behavior like:

🚩 less stamina on off leash outings with dog friends
🚩 investigating environment MUCH less on walks (in favor of walking closely next to me)
🚩 increased sound sensitivity
🚩 less interest in play with other dogs, but especially with Nia
🚩 handling sensitivity, especially around being picked up (which is unusual for him)
🚩 small changes in his gait, especially at a trot - smaller strides with hind legs

If you’re trying to work through some of your dog’s behavior concerns (yes, even when you’re opting for positive reinforcement) and there is suspicion for pain contributing to that overall picture (again, it may look different than you’d expect!), it is our responsibility as their guardian to help provide relief before jumping into any specific training goals.

With a combination of pain medication, laser therapy and PT, we have seen huge changes in his behavior (with ZERO training outside of his fitness work):

💚 decreased sound sensitivity
💚 more interest in greeting unfamiliar people
💚 daily play with Nia (sometimes multiple times daily!!)
💚 increased stamina on off leash walks
💚 more joy in the things he loves doing
💚 increased confidence and general optimism
💚 greater energy - always ready to go!
💚 more relaxed in the car

Put simply, If you don’t FEEL functional, you likely won’t BE functional.

All training/behavior modification should take a backseat to resolving pain concerns, and we need to get better at noticing and addressing pain before more obvious symptoms end up showing up.

Your dog deserves to feel good and have relief from pain - first and foremost.

08/20/2024

Meet a few of our helper dogs (from top left, moving clockwise): Kaeda, Max, Beau and Chester!

Working with known dogs who have flexible, balanced temperaments can be the missing piece for many dogs who are working through some big feelings about other dogs. Helper dogs can be valuable assistants for things like:

1️⃣ Leash reactivity concerns: The helper dog can be found relaxing on leash with the other handler, being given specific instructions around how, when and where to move when needed - giving a unique opportunity to work through various situations at appropriate distances/intensity levels. This is a safer setup for training than working with unfamiliar dogs in public, particularly when working in closer proximity.

2️⃣ Developing play skills: Helper dogs will invite play in a socially appropriate way - and if the client dog isn’t receptive, they will often invite them to do something less intrusive (like sniff around the environment together). If the client dog is not yet skilled with reading other dogs during play, the helper dog gives smaller signals to diffuse tension rather than correcting harshly. This gives us an opportunity to redirect and teach the client dog how to more effectively read other dogs and respond appropriately, mitigating risk for escalation.

3️⃣ Social facilitation: Underconfident dogs can benefit from having a confidence buddy alongside them in situations in which they may be nervous. The helper dog can help them observe a situation at a distance and determine if something is safe - or might even be potentially fun!

4️⃣ Practicing on-leash greetings with less pressure: Some dogs need their greeting process to be a little more “stretched out” in order to take the pressure off and practice appropriate greetings without escalation/heightened arousal. Helper dogs are very skilled with reading other dogs and can help build some better feelings around meeting other dogs on leash in a safe way. Sometimes, having a safe opportunity to put on-leash greetings into a predictable format like this helps with the larger “leash reactivity” picture!

Thank you to all of our helper dogs and the incredible work they do! ♥️🐾

08/06/2024

Hey everybody! 👋

Our TKC dream team has grown once again - and therefore, we need a new pinned post for all of you to get to know all of us a little better!

Welcome to the team, Beth Dollar! We are so lucky to have you join us! Read more about Beth on her individual team member slide. 🙂

A little bit about all of us here at TKC:

The Kind Canine is a team of dog trainers and behavior professionals in Central Oregon who provide private, in-home training and coaching services with a kind, welfare-centered and reward-based approach.

If you’d like to reach out and work with us, visit our website (link in bio!) to fill out our dog training intake form or get more information on current puppy class offerings.

Group reactivity support class slots are also available up to twice per month for current or past TKC clients working through leash reactivity concerns - reach out via DM or email for more information! 💌

07/16/2024

When training with your dog, it is likely and should be expected that you will be using a LOT of food. 🍪 Having a high rate of reinforcement is important in building value in specific behaviors and helps to develop a foundation for future reliability. Additionally, for dogs who have big, fearful feelings about some stuff (dogs, people, skateboards, etc.), we often use a substantial amount of food in the process of creating more positive associations. So, how do we balance all of this increased food intake with managing weight? Here are 3 tips!

⭐️ Measure out meals: Don’t just measure based off of the food bag recommendations - chat with your vet about your dog’s ideal weight and how many calories they should be taking in each day in order to maintain that weight! Every dog is different in terms of size, age, metabolism, and activity level. The recommended amount on the food bag is often a generalized guideline and may not match your dog’s specific caloric requirements. Once you’ve determined your dog’s amount of food that they should be taking in, measure it out each day - and use a portion of your dog’s food for training.

⭐️ Choose nutritionally complete treats: Subbing out a portion of our dog’s meals for “treats” like ZIWI Pets air dried food or Vital Essentials mini nibs can give us more bang for our buck. They tend to be higher value than kibble, but also have the benefit of being easily breakable (great for smaller dogs who need less calories each day, but still need lots of good reps!). They’re also cheaper by volume than treats since they are intended to be an actual food!

⭐️ Balance appropriate exercise: Take into account their general energy level, preferred activities, behavior concerns/risk management, physical limitations, etc. With my dogs, I do some assortment of: finding remote places for off leash or long leash outings once or twice per week in addition to shorter daily walks, toy play sessions (flirt pole, tug, fetch etc.), biking, hiking, paddleboarding/swimming, fitness work, running on the treadmill or on quiet park pathways, etc. Every dog’s preferred form of exercise will be different, and it’s worth exploring what your dog enjoys!

06/26/2024

💔 If you’ve got some pet food and supplies to spare for the families displaced by the nearby Darlene Fire, Bend Pet Express is taking donations!

🔥 Urgent Call to Action 🔥

The Darlene fire in La Pine fire has displaced many families and their beloved pets. We are teaming up with the Pet Evacuation Team -Pet to gather much-needed supplies for those affected. You can drop off donations at our Eastside location, or purchase items in-store to donate - every little bit helps!

🐾 420 NE Windy Knolls Dr in Bend

06/26/2024

Last week, Street Dog Hero took in a large group of dogs after the closing of a shelter in Madras. Some of the dogs are with foster families, and some of them are in the kennels at their facility - but they are ALL looking for homes! 🏠

I had the pleasure of meeting some of them today and taking them for a stroll. ♥️ And oh my gosh, let me tell you - these dogs are SWEET.

“Mallory is a gorgeous and super fun-loving pit-hound mix, just under a year old. She enjoys being outside and going on walks and adventures. She came to SDH with her brother Malone. She’s an active girl with lots of energy for those outdoor adventures, and she’s happiest when she’s out with people and she just can’t wait to join you on your upcoming adventures and to experience what life outside of a kennel can truly bring!”

“Oreo is an 80lb female pit mix around 2 1/2 years old. She’s a shy girl who would really love a home of her own to start decompressing in - and we can’t wait for this lovely girl to start coming out of her shell! She’s not super high energy, but she would love a good balance of walks, play and cuddle time, and some good R&R in the sun!”

Visit Street Dog Hero’s website (linked below) to learn more about these pups and see if they might be a good fit for your family! ♥️🐾

https://www.streetdoghero.org/rescue-dogs-for-adoption/

06/21/2024

This is a great (and concise!) article on why “dominance” in dogs is so widely misunderstood - and is ALSO a good synopsis on “how we got here”.

Why do credentialed and qualified trainers, veterinarians and behavior consultants no longer tell you to “be the pack leader and show your dog who’s boss”? Well, there are lots of reasons! Read on to learn more. 👀

The idea of a constant and fixed hierarchy, where one dog is always “alpha” or “top dog” is highly flawed and often misunderstood.

06/18/2024

What is “confidence building”? 🤔

Building confidence in yourself involves developing a belief in one’s abilities, qualities and judgment. It includes things like:

⭐️ Skill development: improving your abilities through practice and learning

⭐️ Setting achievable goals: finding success incrementally to reach short and long term goals

⭐️ Overcoming challenges: facing appropriately scaled difficulties and learning from setbacks - developing resilience along the way

⭐️ Choice and agency: feeling as though you can act independently, make your own choices and impact your environment

Here are some things that we might do that DON’T help to build confidence in our dogs:

❌ Luring them into situations they are already nervous about - this is inherently coercive and removes agency, even if you’re offering pieces of hot dogs

❌ Using leash pressure to guide/force them onto shelves, pallets or other unstable surfaces

❌ Ignoring clear signs of stress, continuing to push

❌ Repeated exposure to situations which elicit high/toxic levels of stress in hopes that they “get used to it”

Here are some things we CAN do to help build confidence in our dogs:

✅ Engaging in pre-taught and predictable pattern games when taking in the world

✅ Gradual and systematic exposure to potential stressors

✅ Thoughtfully building, scaffolding and generalizing skills/behaviors

✅ Intentionally providing your dog more opportunities to make their own choices (and finding more safe opportunities to do so)

Want to work with us and help to build your dog’s confidence? Send us a DM! 💌

06/13/2024

As I was sitting with Chester in his last group fitness class yesterday, I could feel my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. He went into the arena with enthusiasm, put his two front feet on the platform in his working area and said very clearly and confidently - “okay mom, let’s do this!”

I was so unbelievably proud of him. 🥹

We initially did this fitness class to learn more about building strength and foundational skills for fitness exercises. The class focused on things like basic canine anatomy, noticing and strategically rewarding subtle weight shifts, posture and balance, teaching targeting in various ways, position changes, precision skills, how to get a dog THINKING about how they’re using their body… so many things!

This class WASN’T about “troubleshooting behavior challenges”, “obedience” or “reactivity”. Focusing on what your dog is doing wrong and “how you can fix them” (yes, even when you use positive reinforcement!) is inherently full of high stakes and pressure, whether we like it or not. It makes everything feel so… urgent.

Don’t get me wrong, I love supporting dogs and their guardians through the complicated journey that is navigating the underlying “big feelings” of behavioral challenges. I love helping everybody develop skills to make their life together easier and find room for creative compromise when needed.

But! Taking this class with Chester helped me to rediscover what I love about training dogs. I love learning HOW they learn - helping them to connect the dots in fun and different ways. There really is something magical about working with them and doing activities that we can enjoy together, and not just focusing on their challenges and the situations in which they struggle.

Learning something new - something with LOWER stakes for all parties - better refines all of my training skills AND reminds my dog how much fun training can be!

Consider this your sign to do more things with your dog that bring you both joy. Remind yourself that your dog is more than the challenges they sometimes have - and soak up their strengths and passions. Your connection will be better for it, and your training skills will come along for the ride!

06/09/2024

Come visit us at the Dog Dayz of Summer event at the Bend Westside Cheba Hut! 👋🏻

We’ve got a bunch of free enrichment resources, a raffle for you to enter - AND a big floofy friend (Kit!) for you to say hi to! ☺️

06/07/2024

What makes us and our approach different?

Read through the slides to find out! 👀

05/31/2024

Always relevant.
A message I always need.

Therapy is so wonderful. 🩵

My therapist said these words to me yesterday and they have really stuck with me. Let’s unpack this a bit, with regards to the human aspect of training a dog (“training the human”, as some would call it). 🤓

I wake up every day ready to spread the message of positive reinforcement and force free training strategies with dogs. I practically live, eat and breathe dog training from an empathetic and compassionate perspective using modern approaches and current canine behavioral science. But not everyone is like this. 😅

Wait, Erica. What do you mean - “not everyone is like this”? You mean to tell me there are people out there who aren’t obsessed with their dogs and how to teach them in an evidence-informed and ethical way? 😂 Absurd!

All jokes aside, I will occasionally have clients who aren’t “ready to receive the gifts I have to offer”. And my therapist is right, I can’t control how or if they receive them. 🤷‍♀️

They might be so caught up in the idea of teaching their dog what NOT to do (and/or aren’t willing to put in the time and effort it takes to teach them what TO do) that we can’t actually make much forward progress with their dog in our work together. And every time, without fail, I end up taking that out on myself. 😣

Thankfully, I have an amazing therapist who helps me to take better care of myself, be more aware when I’m having these thoughts and develop healthier inner dialogue in these moments.

All I can do is continue to wake up every day ready to give my gifts and take care of myself along the way. People have the choice to do whatever they would like with the information I give. I have to focus on what I can control - and that is providing a dog training perspective that is in alignment with my own ethics and rooted in behavioral science.

I know this isn’t my typical dog training content, but it’s something that I’ve been thinking about a lot. I hope this resonates with you, too! It’s more than just not beating yourself up - it’s realizing that you have something beautiful to contribute to the world and there are SO many people out there who are ready to receive it. ❤️ So get out there, spread your wings and spread your message!

05/22/2024

Mental health matters. YOU matter. 🫶

It can be emotionally turbulent to be the one in charge of caring for other complex beings with their own unique experiences of the world - whether it be children, dogs, cats or others - and inevitably, we struggle sometimes.

I hope these small reminders are helpful for you, and that they reach the people who need them today.

If you need a listening ear, just know that we are here.

05/19/2024

People usually reach out for training services when they are feeling overwhelmed by their dog’s behavior. Because of this, it’s often easy for them to be convinced that they need to “take charge”, “be the pack leader” or “show them who’s boss”. And because they are desperate for change, they dutifully listen.

From that moment forward, that person enters into a power struggle with their dog. When every behavioral concern is approached with the framing of your dog trying to “run the house”, you center yourself above all of your dog’s needs - rather than considering where they are, whether their needs are being met or whether they (or you!) have actually been taught tangible skills for how to handle the situation they find themselves in. It is a single, one-way street of communication.

And unfortunately, this system of thinking has been normalized over the years.

But even still, this is NEVER the relationship I want with my dog.

We are partners. We work with each other, not against each other. We listen to each other’s needs - and each other’s concerns. And as a result, they have a healthy, secure attachment with me. I prioritize this two-way dialogue above ALL training concerns. And beyond that - it makes our training more effective, because it is centered on trust.

THIS is what should be normalized. Respecting your dog, giving them necessary accommodations - and COLLABORATING.

You don’t need to “be the alpha” and get into an unnecessary power struggle. You CAN work with your dog in a compassionate and kind way - one that respects who they are as an individual and recognizes that BOTH of you matter in this partnership. ❤️

05/04/2024

I first heard this term used by Grisha Stewart at this year’s ClickerExpo, and it gave some language to a concept that has always been challenging for me to explain due to the intuitive place that it lives within my own body.

“Tracking” your dog is essentially the practice of mindful attunement with your dog. This can include awareness around things like:

✨ Your dog’s communication & body language: how is this situation affecting them right now?
✨ Where is the dog’s focus and attention (and where is your own focus and attention)?
✨ Does the dog need something from you in this moment?
✨ Is the dog feeling safe?
✨ Where is your body relative to your dog?
✨ Is the dog’s agency restricted in some way?
✨ How are you moving your body and using your voice - and how is your dog responding to that movement?

It may seem like a lot to track, and I know it can feel overwhelming at first - but knowing how to tune into your dog this way and remain connected with them is the first and most important step in your journey together, no matter where your training concerns lie.

How can you develop these skills for yourself? Here are a few tips to get you started:

1️⃣ Put your phone away. Be present with your dog.

2️⃣ Learn about canine body language and calming signals - and understand the nuances that your own dog brings to the table.

3️⃣ Don’t just take your dog for a walk - walk WITH your dog. What things do they like in the environment? What things do they find a little overwhelming? Are you reading them and responding with empathy or just blindly moving forward on the path?

4️⃣ Emphasize facilitating a feeling of safety for your dog (and yourself!), and offer support in tough situations rather than “holding them accountable”.

5️⃣ Video your dog and watch it back to learn more about your dog, yourself and the relationship between you. Sometimes, in the moment, we miss things - because we get distracted, too!

6️⃣ Track YOURSELF. Do you feel that pit of anxiety in your stomach? Are YOU feeling safe? Do you have some coping skills to fall back on to help yourself remain present when you feel a little overwhelmed?

Connect with your dog today. Be with them. Be present. 🐾

04/16/2024

Kora is an incredibly sweet soul. We can attest to her joyful spirit! ❤️ Reach out to The Rawley Project if you’d like to meet her!

04/16/2024

We are so thrilled to finally have this process up and recorded for all to see!

We’ve been working this process (of course with modifications from case to case) with a ton of dogs and are happy to share it now with all of you!

Working with dogs who are struggling with feelings of fear and anxiety takes a specific approach - forcing these things often makes things worse! We push and push and the dog degrades over time as they learn that the stress they are carrying is unavoidable and people coming over just means a bad time.

But when we give dogs agency and choice, within a reasonable framework, they can come to meet new people with neutrality and even confidence!

When we make the choices we want our dogs to make easy and obvious to pursue (and reinforce those choices!), our dog chooses them! And of course, we make sure that we start out with “bumpers up” - with a lot of thoughtfulness given to setup and environment.

Check out the video on our YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/hQxfOIM73lk?si=gzIoT7AqOjDM4ZuF

04/09/2024

Who knew that Jake the dog, a character from the cartoon “Adventure Time”, could be the source of some pretty profound wisdom. 🧠

You may not be an expert when first starting this process of working with your dog - in fact, you probably won’t be. You and your dog are both learning together, and it’s natural to encounter difficulties along the way, especially in the beginning. However, with patience, ongoing curiosity and a willingness to keep learning, you’ll gradually improve and grow more proficient in your ability to understand and work with one another.

With this kind of “growth mindset”, you cultivate resilience - viewing setbacks not as failures, but as stepping stones toward progress. Embrace the process of learning together, celebrating every small victory along the way. Whether it’s working on a specific skill, breaking down and mastering a fun trick, overcoming a behavioral challenge or simply sharing a moment of connection - cherish these milestones as testaments to your beautiful ongoing journey with your dog.

So, as you embark on this adventure, embrace the process, celebrate the progress - and savor every moment of your shared journey towards becoming the best team you can be. ❤️

04/03/2024

💙Senior Dog Activity! 💙

There is nothing like having to leave your hiking partner at home and we are here to help make sure that doesn't happen!

Central Oregon is a Mecca for dog activities and if you have a middle aged to senior aged dog it's important to ease back into those long hikes we have all been waiting for.

If your dog has had more restricted activity over the winter it's important to gradually increase activity so that injury or pain doesn't prevent your dog from joining you on future adventures!

A good rule of thumb for middle aged and senior dogs is to either increase duration OR intensity but not both at the same time. Ideally this increase is about 10-15% per week.

It is important to remember that senior dogs "age" faster starting between the ages of 8 and 10, so what they were able to do 6 months prior will not be the same as what they will be able to do 6 months into the future.

Take a functional inventory!

✅Posture - have you noticed a change in your dog's sitting or standing posture? Are they reluctant to sit right away even if you have a treat?
✅Navigating slick floors - Have you noticed your dog struggling a bit more on slippery floors? Are their feet sliding out more often?
✅Jumping into or out of a vehicle - Is your dog hesitating to make that jump?
✅Is your dog stiff or sore after a walk? Is it taking them longer than 24 hours to recover? Are pain medications necessary?

If you have answered yes to any of these questions give us a call to schedule full musculoskeletal evaluation. We can get a baseline and help you develop a fitness program so that you can safely enjoy the activities you love doing with your dog.

Photo of a Stride client and patient. Malakai, at 13 years, is still enjoying getting out to enjoy his walks and snow adventures.

03/29/2024

💡 Let’s talk about the psychological concept of “overshadowing”.

It refers to a phenomenon where one stimulus in a pair of stimuli (think perception of trigger = food) used in conditioning gains more attention than the other, thereby affecting the learning/conditioning process. As a result, the dog may fail to form a strong association between the trigger and the desired response or emotional state.

High-value food is inherently attention-grabbing for many dogs - especially ones that have BIG feelings about food. If the food used during training is significantly more salient than the trigger being paired with it, the dog may focus more on the food than on the trigger. This is why I actually DON’T recommend using higher value food when working with some dogs with SPECIFIC reactivity concerns, especially when working with one who has “life or death” feelings about food (or toys, or any other reinforcers that we would like to use).

We should be thoughtful about the rewards we use and when we are using them - it’s not enough that the dog “likes them”! What kind of state does cheese come with for my dog? What about the ball? Are they thinking - or are they completely lost in anticipation? Can I spend some time teaching them some skills around the delivery of these reinforcers before tying them to situations that they are uncertain about or ones in which they struggle with some big feelings?

In short, always using higher value food as a blanket strategy with some of these dogs can actually “mask” how they are feeling about their triggers - and can hinder progress. In these cases, just because a dog is EATING, does not actually mean that they are under threshold and in their “thinking brain”. I’ve had plenty of dogs who continue to take food despite their body language showing that they are still WILDLY uncomfortable. These dogs are often taking food extremely hard, and then pursuing the trigger immediately after taking the food.

With these kinds of dogs, I’m more likely to create MORE space from their triggers, use LESS food, encourage environmental exploration and use LOWER VALUE food while working in order to get an accurate read on their emotional state. 🧘‍♀️