I am a dog trainer certified through Animal Behavior College and the Certification Council for Profe
Get ready!
⭐️My recreational agility classes will begin in April!⭐️
These classes are small and will fill up 🔥FAST🔥, so don't drag your feet on these!
Special thanks to Dog's Day Out for letting me rent their agility ring
⏬Sign up at the link below!⏬
https://www.canismajorky.com/group-classes-and-events
If you've never owned a fearful dog it's hard to wrap your head around how much it can effect your daily life...
Having guests over requires careful planning, or you may just choose not to have people over at all.
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You can't travel because finding someone to care for your dog is extremely difficult.
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You and your family members are constantly at odds about how to handle your dog.
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You aren't able to do the fun "dog owner" stuff you'd hoped to enjoy.
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The idea that your dog isn't living their best life takes a toll on you mentally.
😰😤😡..it's a lot. And if you do happen to be someone that is living this reality, there is help available!
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If you're ready to reclaim your daily life and help bring your fearful dog out of their shell, schedule a call with me to see if my program is a good fit!
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https://calendly.com/canismajorky/free-discovery-call
I'm looking forward to speaking with you! If you haven't already done so, please visit my site at canismajorky.com to learn more about me and my business.
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When we find ourselves out of our depth and our knowledge base has run out of steam sometimes we are tempted to resort to punishment simply because we don't know what else to do.
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Don't fall into that trap.
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If you're an owner at your limit, reach out to a trainer for help.
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If you're a trainer at your limit, refer the dog out to someone who may be more equipped to help.
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And always use this as an opportunity to build your knowledge base so that you are ready to tackle this in the future.
Milton and I have been training 2-3 times per week for nearly one year!
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It's been a privilege to help raise and mold this lab into what he is today.
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I actually sat down and listed off everything we've done so far, and it's pretty impressive!
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We have worked through 1️⃣2️⃣ different concepts and lifestyle experiences, trained 6️⃣ different automatic behaviors, trained 8️⃣ different object names, and trained 3️⃣4️⃣ different verbal cues!
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Are you interested in an intensive program like Milton's? Let's talk!
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Check out the comments for the full breakdown of Milton's skills.
Interested in taking a tour of The Barkmore??
Well now is your chance!!
Our RIBBON CUTTING and OPEN HOUSE will take place next friday, DECEMBER 10TH at 3pm!! 🎉
We will not be offering daycare this day but will allow boarding drop offs and pick ups. We ask that NO PETS attend for everyone’s safety.
We hope to see new and existing clients there! 🎉😊
Dogs left at home showed low physical and vocal activity, independent from the time being alone. Male dogs in multi-dog households showed a higher vocal activity. Male dogs were more prone to stay at the exit-door. Dogs in multi-dog households showed a significant higher activity (single dog: 15.3 ± 14.3, multi-dog: 27.5 ± 26.1 mean ± SD). The major difference in activity was found in the first hour of being alone and interactions with other pets played only a marginal role even in multi-dog households (0.24 ± 0.6). Whining was not reduced by the presence of familiar conspecifics. Data suggest that familiar conspecifics do not facilitate coping with separation from humans. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159121002501
I get to cuddle this lil thing soon!
Make sure your dog is getting regular exercise, even on those long work days!
If you work with me and dog walking services have been a topic of conversation you've undoubtedly heard of Posh Pet Sitting. Amber's regular walking spots typically stay booked, but two owners have moved away recently, which means she has 2 spots available for 2 lucky dogs. This is a great opportunity to setup a recurring dog walk schedule to ensure your dog gets adequate exercise even when you're away from home!
If interested visit the Posh Pet Sitting page and send Amber a message!
"Local and national news tell us that the dog-training industry is experiencing unprecedented growth right now because of the many dogs and puppies adopted during the last two pandemic years. What the news doesn’t mention is that, since dog training is an unregulated industry, it’s like the Wild West out there as new business models move into territory that traditional trainers once firmly held."
If you wish to avoid trainers that are NOT using the most current and humane training methodologies you must familiarize yourself with "red flag" terminology.
Local and national news tell us that the dog-training industry is experiencing unprecedented growth right now because of the many dogs and puppies adopted during the last two pandemic years. What the news doesn’t mention is that, since dog training is an unregulated industry, it’s like the Wild ...
***Update: I've turned this into a Blog post that can also be shared off of FB. Here's the link: https://andreabreen.ca/2021/09/20/some-thoughts-on-sexual-violence-and-childrens-relationships-with-dogs/***
I want to share some thoughts about sexual violence and children's relationships with dogs. It's a long one, so you might want to grab a cuppa.
As a critical developmental psychologist, professor, parent educator, and dog behaviour practitioner, I think A LOT about what kids learn through their relationships with dogs. And it has me very worried--for both our dogs and our children.
This week, people across Canada are reeling from horrific accounts of sexual violence during orientation week at one Ontario University. The terrible truth is that sexual violence is pervasive on our campuses. In 2019, The Student Voices on Sexual Violence Survey showed that 23% of Ontario University students experienced a non-consensual sexual act in the past year. These numbers focus on victimization, but they also suggest a disturbing truth about perpetrators--those who commit sexual violence (most often, but not always men) are not rare monsters. We live in r**e culture, and perpetrators are our neighbours sons, brothers, fathers, and partners.
As a society, we are raising children to be violent. We are raising them to believe that they are entitled to others' bodies, entitled to inflicting violence.
In the last couple of years, I've been delving into research about the links between various forms of violence against humans and violence against animals. This research comes from many different fields--Critical Animal Studies, Disability Studies, Indigenous Studies, and others (e.g., see work by Billy-Ray Belcourt, Sunaura Taylor, Nik Taylor & Heather Fraser). There's also some great non-academic work, like this must-watch TED Talk by Kim Brophey: https://www.ted.com/talks/kim_brophey_the_problem_with_treating_a_dog_like_a_pet
Our relationships with dogs is a confusing mix of love, devotion, domination, and violence. As Australian social work scholar Melissa Laing put it in a recent article on interspecies families, family pets "are kin who reside in a liminal space between subject and object". They are family and they are property.
This is a dangerous mix.
And here's how it too often plays out in kids' relationships with family dogs--We buy adorable puppies to satisfy our children's emotional needs (often with zero thought about what this is like for dogs). We teach children that humans are masters who are to be obeyed, that disobeying is to be disciplined, that resistance in the form of growls, barks, and (when those are ignored) bites is to be punished--even with death (dogs who bite children are euthanized far too often). We show kids that it’s ok to drag the beings they love around on collars and lock them up alone in cages.
All of this is practicing the wrong things. We should be teaching our children how to truly see another being for who they are, to recognize when they are uncomfortable, that it is always ok for someone to say "no". Instead of teaching them to be "masters", we should be teaching children to be humble in their relationships, to learn and grow through gentleness and love.
Every child who lives with a non-human animal should be raised to understand that animal's species-specific body language and they should have a deeply ingrained understanding of consent. For this to happen, kids need adults to consistently model and teach ways of being in relationships with dogs that gentle and respectful. It does no good to tell children to be gentle, and then to turn around and force the dog into submission.
Children learn from their family relationships--including their relationships with the family dog. For the sake of both dogs and kids, we need to do much better at teaching the right lessons.
Below is a list of resources and suggestions for families with dogs.
Thank you for reading,
Andrea Breen
Teaching Dog Body Language:
There are lots of great resources available for teaching kids how to interact with dogs. For teaching dog body language, I recommend the Dog Decoder app, the book Doggie Language, and, for younger children, the Dog Detective colouring pages by https://www.familypaws.com/. I also suggest parents check out the resources at thefamilydog.com/stop-the-77/. Turid Rugaas' book, On Talking Terms with Dogs is a must-read for everyone who has a dog.
Teaching Consent
Understanding dog body language is essential for understanding consent, so the above resources are a good start. The following excerpt is an example of what consent can look like when greeting an unfamiliar dog (taken from one of my articles in Today's Parent magazine https://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-life/is-your-new-dog-nipping-hu***ng-or-playing-rough-with-your-kids/)
The big thing to teach kids is that dogs should always get to choose whether or not they’re touched. Most kids are taught to ask the dog’s owner if they can pet the dog, but it’s important to also ask the dog! Dog’s Trust in the UK has some great handouts to help parents teach their kids dog safety and I like to use their approach. Here are the steps:
Approach calmly to the dog’s side and stop at least an arm’s length away. Humans like to greet face to face, but head on greetings can make dogs nervous.
Ask the dog’s owner if you can pet the dog. If the owner says yes, you can say “hello.” But here’s the trick: Don’t stick the hand out. The “sniff test” that most of us were taught is actually an unsafe way to greet a dog. Dogs’ noses are so powerful they can detect cancer—we don’t need to help them smell us by putting a hand in their face.
Wait for the dog to approach. If she does, great! Dogs prefer to be pet gently on their side or shoulder. For most dogs, being pet on the top of the head is scary. If the dog doesn’t approach, then she’s saying “no thank you” and it’s time to move away calmly.
Be sure the dog can choose to move away at any time. If she does, then let her go on her way.
Your children will need you to support and give them reminders about their interactions with dogs, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll help keep them safe around dogs and might even be giving them tools—like a strong understanding of the importance of seeking consent before touching—that can help them be safer in their future relationships with other humans.
Very nice cooperative care!
Displacement behavior 💜 it's kinda like "well this is awkward, I'll just act casual"
Charlotte and I will be competing in another agility trial at the WKU expo center on Aug 13th and 14th. Some owners I've trained with before will also be participating! The trial should begin around 8:30 am each day and should go on past 2 pm. Spectators can attend for free!
One of our runs (Intro to jumpers)
Our first NADAC agility trial today. Four runs, four qualifying scores, and four first place ribbons. Thank you Ruff Agility KY for hosting!
Another freebie!
FREE webinar today (Sat June 12) at 2:00 pm ET with veterinary behavior resident Dr. Meghan Connolly, Atlantic Veterinary Behavior! From Hyper Aroused or Anxious Hound to Happy Hound - Learn how to help dogs who are hyper-aroused, hyper-active, hyper-reactive, and hyper-anxious learn to be calmer canines.
Link in comments to register!
Recall at Kolmården Wildlife Park, Sweden.
It's free!
FREE WEBINAR ALERT!!
We know you have questions about dog play. What’s normal, what’s “aggressive,” why is my dog always hu***ng?
On June 16th, Dog Guru Robin Bennett will be talking to us about Dogs at Play- at dog parks, day care, or your own neighborhood.
Sign up at everydogaustin.org/workshops
The webinar will cover things like:
👉videos of dogs at play demonstrating both polite and rude greetings
👉breed specific play styles
👉body language
👉choosing the best day care
👉knowing when it’s time to leave the park!
The webinar will be recorded, so sign up even if you can’t make it live.
Everydogaustin.org/workshops
The Dog Gurus
Bowling Green, KY
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One of our runs (Intro to jumpers)
Ellie taking a stroll on the farm today. This was our first venture out without the use of food rewards. Instead, we used verbal praise, petting, and access to sniff spots!
Margot's continuing to improve her "boss chair" skill. She can easily remain in place for long periods even around distractions! This behavior will be very practical for her owner to use when guests come and go at their small business.
We are working on a change in occupation from security guard to office assistant for Margot. Together, her owner and I have developed a training plan that was feasible for her and Margot to achieve. In this video Margot is practicing remaining in her "boss chair" for long durations while I move out of sight periodically. We are using an intermittent reinforcement schedule at her current level.
Merlin is working on his ability to settle on cue. We begin teaching this by reinforcing the physical behaviors which coincide with relaxation. As we build duration onto the behavior and switch to an intermittent reinforcement schedule we will likely see the dog's body AND mind relax.
Just want to brag on some of my clients! This is Cannon. She can experience a lot of fear with noises, which had made the typical grooming experience very stressful for her. With some guidance from me on the process for desensitization and counter conditioning her owners have been able to make huge strides in helping Cannon feel more comfortable with clippers. Way to go!
Stay on long line with Margot!
For the Love of Luna Pet Rescue
Bowling Green
