Connect The Dogs

12/24/2024

eternally grateful to have spent another year working with dogs and the people who love them ✨ see ya in 2025!

image description: Maeby stares up into a snow-covered tree in a snowy yard. Navy and white banners in the top third read “out of office 12/24-1/5”

12/15/2024

In animal welfare, there exists the concept of the Five Freedoms. They are:

-Freedom from hunger and thirst
-Freedom from discomfort
-Freedom from pain, injury, and disease
-Freedom to express normal behavior
-Freedom from fear and distress

The argument for the use of e-collars in dog training often centers around the goal of more “freedom”. The assertion is that these tools provide freedom to express normal behavior (exploring off leash) to dogs that would be spending their life on a leash or otherwise managed or confined by their environment.

I take significant issue with this assertion. The “freedom” that tools like e-collars provide is a tricky one. Sure, the dog may be physically “free” to move their bodies however and wherever they want to. But for the e-collar to be effective as designed, they are doing so under threat of fear, pain, or discomfort. If the e-collar is not effective, they are “free” to put themselves and those around them at risk.

Freedom in one area at the expense of another is not a purer form of freedom, it’s a trade-off. My dog is free to explore and move as she wishes within range of her 50 foot leash, and she’s free from the threat of a shock on her neck if she tries to go further. She’s free to blow off my recall cue while following a good sniff, and she’s free from the danger of following that sniff directly into oncoming traffic.

These are the trade-offs I’m willing to make in the name of ✨ freedom ✨

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11/26/2024

When I was expanding my training and behavior knowledge beyond just teaching beginner’s obedience classes, I often came across the nebulous concept of “confidence building”.

I saw this vague strategy recommended by other professionals as the remedy for everything from shy puppies to reactive adult dogs. What I *didn’t* see was any consistency in definition nor application of what “confidence building” actually meant.

Over time, I personally started to define “confidence building” as “building a robust history of positive reinforcement for a variety of behaviors under a variety of conditions”. Essentially, I aim to ensure that dogs I’m working with experience desirable outcomes for using their behavior in as many settings as possible. I want them to learn that new and novel stimuli predict good things, and that they can use their behavior to successfully work through challenges.

Critically, building confidence in any learner requires that they have choice and control in their exposure to it. Forcing a dog to confront something they find scary does not build their confidence. Using a leash or food to lure them into interacting with something they’re unsure about is unlikely to teach them that that thing is safe.

To me, a confident dog is one who approaches the world with optimism and curiosity, without fear or worry. And to me, the surest way to achieve that is through the thoughtful application of positive reinforcement based teaching principles.

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10/14/2024

07/11/2024

There are few qualities in a dog that I appreciate more than mischievousness.

Of course traditionally, “mischief” is a completely human construct based in punishment culture with all the flaws that come with it. But as a former mischievous child, I’m on a mission to reclaim the label for our dogs!

Getting into mischief often requires engaging with the environment in ways that aren’t prescribed by an authority, which suggests confidence and curiosity. The naturally occurring consequences of mischief can be unpredictable, and this can build resilience over time. These are all qualities associated with behavioral health and welfare.

And perhaps most of all, mischief is communication. Many behaviors we as humans consider “mischievous” are just our dogs finding ways to meet their own needs using what’s available to them— and that’s information for us that we can be grateful for!

Basically, I love a dog who follows their heart and their nose, even if it results in some mild, non-life-threatening chaos 😈

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06/10/2024

Walks with a dog who has a propensity for street scavenging can be stressful, frustrating, and expensive! For those of us living in cities, a discarded chicken bone or stray THC edible lurking in a seemingly innocent bush feels like an omnipresent threat.

Teaching a “leave it” cue (commonly understood to mean some variation of “ignore The Thing and look at me”) may seem like the most obvious way to keep our dogs safe among the potential hazards, but what else might we consider as we aim to have less stressful walks with our dogs?

To me, it’s about assessing the function of the scavenging behaviors at their core: what is motivating the dog to seek and consume “inappropriate” items, and how might we address that in the most functional way?

Is there an underlying medical issue that’s contributing and causing symptoms like excessive hunger or GI upset? Does the dog have ample opportunities outside of walks to engage in species-typical scavenging and foraging behaviors? Is the dog’s diet varied and diverse, or do they eat the same few foods every day with little variety?

Before we ask and expect our dogs to ignore and dismiss every interesting, unauthorized morsel that comes across their path, let’s endeavor to make that as easy a lift as possible for them ✨

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05/29/2024

As dog behavior professionals committed to working towards a more humane, just, and equitable world, we’re coming together to offer a summer webinar series to support relief efforts in Palestine.

Donate $25 (or more, if that’s doable for you!) to access all five webinars live, with recordings available through August 31st. Our presenters are: Ali Sutch of Up To S***f; Amanda Perera of Classical Canine; Andrea Viveiros of Connect the Dogs; Lyz Knight of Rover Rehab; and Ran Courant-Morgan of The Dog Behavior Institute (and of course a ton of background support from Stephanie Keesey-Phelan of The Dog Behavior Institute!) These webinars are on topics that each of us are passionate about and excited to share, and they will be 30-45 minutes long, followed by time for questions.

To register, make a donation of at least $25 to a Palestine relief fund - let us know if you need suggestions - and then email your receipt to [email protected]. We will confirm receipt and send access info when the webinars are approaching. Thank you so much for joining us!

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05/16/2024

“Loose-leash walking” (or LLW) is often used as a catch-all term to generally mean that our dog is walking with us on a leash in such a way that our shoulder isn’t being wrenched out of its socket. But how do we break that down into something clear and teachable?

I always start by taking an inventory of all the various pieces that may play a role in our dog’s on-leash behavior. For me, this includes (but isn’t limited to!):

-Are underlying needs being met?

Does the dog have outlets for species-typical behavior like sniffing? Do they have opportunities to move their body freely outside of walks? Are they getting enough rest? Are they in pain?

-How are equipment, the environment, and learning history affecting current behavior?

Is their walking gear comfortable and does it allow freedom of movement? Are they struggling to cope with triggers? What behaviors on walks have been previously reinforced or punished?

-What skills are necessary and beneficial for the context, and what skills does the dog already have?

Are we on a busy street where a tight heel is needed for safety? Are we in the woods on a long line with plenty of slack? Do we need them to check in with us frequently or change directions easily? Are they able to do these things under a variety of conditions?

-How can I set up the environment to make loose-leash walking more likely?

Can I limit distractions? Can I ensure physical exercise and mental stimulation are provided before a walk? Can I make a gear swap to lessen tension on the leash?

-What reinforcement strategies will be most effective?

Should I deliver treats directly to mouth, or would tossing them be more reinforcing? Is food a valuable reinforcer, or would forward movement or sniffing be more functional? Does the dog understand how to access reinforcement in these conditions?

It can feel daunting to puzzle all this out amidst the daily need to get our dogs out on a walk, especially in a city environment where alternatives aren’t always available. If walks with your dog have become something you dread, schedule a Discovery Call with me to chat about how I can help make them fun again!

05/13/2024

Maeby has lived with us for almost three and a half years, and we’ve never given her a bath.

She’s swam in rivers, rolled in dead stuff, covered her legs in mud, and done plenty of other gross things dogs love to do and yet— she’s never been bathed in a tub with shampoo and spraying water.

However! We’ve found other ways to keep her clean and fresh-smelling without forcing her to endure something that she finds extremely stressful and unpleasant. We’re also fortunate that her Southern Special breed mix gave her a coat that’s easy to clean and doesn’t hold on to dirt 🤠

If your dog also hates baths, but maybe doesn’t mind being wet or being toweled off, here are a few strategies that might help you reduce the amount of bathing you do:

-Grooming wipes: Basically baby wipes for dogs. These are great for both spot cleaning and full body wipe downs, and are easy to keep on hand at home and in the car. I personally stick with unscented ones to avoid any scent aversion for my dog!

-Waterless foam: Typically marketed for cats, grooming foam is pumped from a can into your hand then rubbed directly into your dog’s coat. You can use a textured grooming glove if your dog is into that, and then finish with a towel to remove debris and loose fur. Again, I stick with unscented to be safe!

-Towel soaks: If your dog gets into something really gross, try soaking an entire hand towel (or small bath towel) in warm water and draping it over the afflicted area so the water transfers into the fur and loosens the grime. This is especially good for cleaning muddy paws— standing on a soaking wet towel for a minute or two can release a lot of dirt!

-Rainy days: Some dogs who hate baths weirdly enjoy being out in the rain. If yours happens to be one of them, you can use nature’s shower as an opportunity to do some light shampooing, and let the rain wash the suds away!

If you’re working on helping your dirty dog feel more comfortable with baths, don’t underestimate the positive impact taking a break from bathing altogether can have. And if your dog is also rarely bathed, I’d love to hear about any other tips you have for keeping them clean and stress-free!

05/07/2024

For all dogs, food has intrinsic value and can be used to shape their behavior, but many variables play a role in how and why their behavior is affected.

Using food thoughtfully with our dogs means considering these variables and taking them into account when doing everything from designing training plans to introducing enrichment toys to getting them to take their meds.

Some factors to consider in our dog’s experiences with food include:

🌭Delivery method— Are we handing it to them? Tossing it on the ground? Putting it in a puzzle? How does each influence their eating behavior depending on their motivations? Is it reinforcing or punishing?

🌭Value level + motivations— Are we offering their regular kibble? Freeze-dried treats? Novel canned food? Are we inadvertently creating conflict by using food that’s too high-value? Is food motivating enough to be valuable in the environment or are other reinforcers more likely to be effective?

🌭Learning history— What prior associations may have been made with the food being offered or the delivery method? Does it predict something unpleasant after, like a hidden pill or a stomach ache? Do they have a history of eating in that environment?

I often feel like a boring broken record when I say this but it always bears repeating: behavior is complex and multifaceted. Even something that seems straightforward, like a dog eating food, can be pulled apart into so many different threads!

Asking questions and getting curious is the first step to a more fulfilling and harmonious life with our dogs. Every blob of peanut butter or loaded snuffle mat is an opportunity for us to consider what our dog is learning and how they’re experiencing all these tasty little morsels we’re so lucky to share with them ✨

04/19/2024

Using the science of behavior analysis to change the behavior of another living thing requires a thorough understanding of how each of the four quadrants work, along with the ability to objectively evaluate which of the four quadrants is impacting the target behavior.

Behavior doesn’t lie. If a consequence causes a future decrease in a behavior, it is functioning as punishment. If a consequence causes a future increase in a behavior, it is functioning as reinforcement.

It’s the moral and ethical responsibility of behavior professionals to be honest about how they are changing the behavior of their clients. If a trainer can’t describe why and how something is working to change a dog’s behavior, they have no business taking anyone’s money. This should not be a controversial statement.

04/17/2024

Barking is one of those behaviors that can really test the limits of our patience and understanding with our dogs. It’s loud, it’s stressful, it sometimes feels like it’s drilling into the depths of our psyche and wreaking havoc on our ability to function.

But like any other behavior, our dogs are always barking for a reason. And when we address the underlying function instead of focusing on punishing or eliminating the behavior, we’re likely to see an overall reduction in the frequency and/or intensity of the barking.

If you’re struggling to puzzle out your dog’s barking, getting professional help to sort through the details can be a game-changer. It’s hard to see the forest *or* the trees when your dog is yelling at you! Click the link in my bio to schedule a free Discovery Call and chat about how I can help you and your dog find some peace and quiet 💆🏻‍♀️

04/04/2024

“Why does my dog bark at other dogs on leash, but plays well with them at the park?”
It depends.

“How do I teach my dog to alert me when they need to go out?”
It depends.

“What other reinforcers can I use for my dog besides food?”
It depends.

“When will my dog be able to safely be off leash while hiking?”
It depends.

One of the most common answers you’ll hear when asking specific questions of ethical behavior professionals is some variation of “It depends”. Every question from a client prompts several follow up questions back to them, and then usually an answer with some ***qualifications***.

And that’s because behavior doesn’t exist in a vacuum: it’s shaped by environment, learning history, genetics, physical ability (and more!) and is unique to each individual and circumstance.

The best plan for one learner may not be well suited for another, and the only way to know which route to take is to gather information and evaluate the picture in a holistic way.

For professionals as well as guardians, this process takes time, patience, curiosity, and humility. To ask questions is to know that we don’t have all the answers, and to open ourselves up to what we might learn.

03/01/2024

When I meet a dog who cowers, runs away, or otherwise makes it clear they’d prefer to be nakey when their harness comes out, I usually start by asking three main questions which are really just a jumping off point for a million more questions:

1: How is the harness put on?

i.e. Does it go over their head, requiring you to reach and lean? Does their fur get stuck in the buckles or clips? Are their legs held and bent through the openings? Are they picked up and dressed with their feet off the floor?

2: What does the harness predict?

i.e. Is the dog reactive and walks have become stressful? Is the harness only used for car trips? Has there been a history of playing “chase me” when it comes out?

3: Is the harness comfortable to wear?

i.e. Is it properly fitted and allowing for full range of motion? Are the buckles sitting too close to the armpits? Is the material chafing or causing matting? Is the material too thick or too thin? Is it sliding around during use?

The answers to these questions give us valuable insight into the function of your dog’s harness-related behavior. Sometimes the plan is as simple as swapping out an over-the-head model for one that clips around the neck, and other times we need to thoughtfully countercondition and desensitize each aspect of harnessing, but as with any other behavior challenge with our dogs, the first step is always to get curious 💭

12/23/2023

Best wishes, warmest regards this holiday season ✨ See you next year!

[image description: Maeby stands at the end of a long leash in a snowy cemetery on a sunny day. Text in banners reads “out of office 12/23 - 1/1”]