Now and Zen Dog Training

10/20/2024

We have been promoting this safety program for many years…..here are the basics.

09/11/2024

In Home Behavioral Consults

Everyone is required to start with the in home behavioral consult and training session. Private in home training is far superior to board and train as it places minimum stress on the dog. They are able to learn more effectively and the work transfers immediately to improved behaviors in the home. These consults are 2 hours and length and the fee for the session is $300. This does not include fees for travel outside the Brevard area.

During the in home consult I do a thorough assessment of the dog(s) and their needs, management options, current training practices and the equipment being used. I then formulate a plan, explain it to you and start the work with you and the dog(s). All of our training methods are based on current scientific methods. I also include a set of training reference papers that I have written for your reference. Also included in the fee is a 15 minute follow up phone conversation.

Additional follow up one hour sessions are available for $135 per hour, at the location of our choice.

07/09/2024

Don’t Dogs Lives Matter Too?

I’m so confused. As a society we seemed to have had a huge paradigm shift toward being kind, thoughtful and compassionate to others. Honoring the needs of others is our mantra, except in dog training. I see a consistent shift towards more support of aversive based trainers. Shock collars, choke chains and other punitive methods are being considered the perfect solution to fix dogs by people who profess that lives matter without a second thought? Dogs are sentient beings with emotions deserving of the same compassion other living beings are given. It’s time for a change in our attitudes, we can do better.

From a client today willing to listen to the value of science-based training:

We can’t thank you enough for your help today, I am excited to try things totally different than what we were doing as per the Hilton Head trainer!

I feel like we have a totally different thought process and I love that, we have a precious new member of the family and I want us to be able to enjoy each other more and more everyday !!

Thank you so much! K, C, W and especially B!

(The dog I went to work with)

Wholistic dog training and consults. We consider the whole dog and develop relationship based, Forc

06/18/2024

Free! Family Paws Parent Education. We offer dog bite safety programs free to our local children. Contact us at 828-507-3020 for more information.

Have you signed up?? If you sign up for free you can still get 24 hour access! It’s happening now!

06/18/2024

Let’s talk about behavioral modification methods.

The Use Of Consequences As An Effective Teaching Method For Dogs (Negative Punishment)

How to effectively utilize consequences involves letting the learner, figure out how to get what he wants, when we set consistent criteria.
If your dog is behaving in an unacceptable way it is permissible to use a time out (consequence) to help them learn that they need to change their behavior. Containment, by crate or exercise pen, or the the use of tethering are some options. Some people think using the crate as a time out their dogs will not go in the crate, I have not found that to be true. Think of it as being sent to your room, as a child, to think about it. You are going to be firm and fair with the rules that will earn him the ability to be free.

Say your puppy is really being mouthy, and will not stop jumping and grabbing at you after you’ve tried to distract him with a toy. You can first try to interrupt this behavior by asking him for an incompatible behavior, such as a sit. If he isn't complying with your request the next step is to implement the use of a consequence. In this case we are going to use containment to keep him from practicing further mouthy and jumping behaviors. We put him in the crate, saying “in crate” and walk away, leaving him in for one minute. Do not look at him or engage with him during this time. If he is quiet, and only then, will we return to crate and ask for a “sit”. If he complies we will open the door and invite him back out. If he continues the behavior he was previously practicing (or any unacceptable behavior), he will immediately be returned to the “crate”. The next time out will be 2 minutes in length. Same rules as before: Do not look at him or engage with him during this time. If he is quiet, and complies with a sit, we will open the door and invite him back out. If he has changed his behavior he will not be returned. If not, he will receive a 3 minute time out with the same protocol on earning his way out of the crate. After 3 tries, it’s like baseball, you are out, and he will remain in the crate for 30 minutes to think about things and give his people a break. Once this consequence has been practiced enough, you will be able to offer him the option of “do you want to go in your crate?”, to challenge him to change his unacceptable behavior, before having to implement the full consequence.

The containment consequence can be used for many things. At times it might involve being made to come back "in the house" for too much barking out side. If he's quiet a minute, he gets invited to go back out. Having him on a leash at this time is helpful as you can quickly catch him up to bring him back "in the house", if he continues his unacceptable behavior. Using again the sequence of consequences of 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, 3rd time you are out for 30 minutes.

You can also use a consequence of removal of the good things. Regarding your dog jumping up and grabbing things from you, waiting until he offers a sit to get the item is an effective plan. If he doesn’t sit, and continues to jump for the item, the item goes away (consequence). In a minute try again, if he sits, reward him with the item by either tossing, and saying "go get it!", or using the word “take” to teach him he may put it in his mouth. This same plan works for dogs jumping to get petted. Jumping gets nothing, (consequence) only 4 paws on the floor does.

Our dogs are smart and the consequence method is extremely effective if used properly and consistently. No monkey business is allowed, and we are clear, consistent and fair about our use of consequences implementing them immediately.

Using consequences helps him learn to make better choices and view us as a benevolent and effective leader.

06/13/2024

Let’s talk about aversives, also known as positive punishment. Current science-based training does not support the use of aversive methods. Aversives are methods that use something unpleasant to the dog that is used to suppress or diminish an unwanted behavior. They do not modify behaviors they just suppress behaviors, they come with too great a risk for the dog. The emotion is still there for the dog, but has been shut down. It will (and has to) be expressed somehow. That is the danger for your dog. It could come out in a multitude of ways, none of which would be positive for the dog or it’s owner.

Examples of aversive equipment are shock collar (aka e-collar, electric collar, vibrating collar) prong collar, boppers (used to hit the crate or the dog), choke collars, shaker cans, spray bottles, citronella collars.
Examples of aversive methods are physical corrections such as leash popping (even on a flat collar), hitting, alpha rolls and dominance downs, yelling, confrontational staring or acting in a threatening manner with body language, holding a dog’s mouth closed, among other methods.

It is extremely important to educate yourself on these before choosing a trainer and thoroughly interview any prospective trainers on their methods.

Please contact us at 828-507-3020 if you have any further questions. We practice ethical science-based training and do not use aversives.

06/04/2024

We are here to help you and your dog. Using behavior modification and helping you understand WHY these things are happening is a win-win for dogs and their people! Call us at 828-507-3020 to set up a free phone consult. We are certified and veterinarian approved.

06/02/2024

Why we do not use punishment on dogs to modify behaviors…….Call us at 828-507-3020 to learn more about our science-based training methods.

05/13/2024

Dogs are Sentient Beings with Emotions

We need to be the guardian of our dogs’ by watching over, and protecting, not punishing and forcing. Depending on genetics and their past history, they can struggle with things in their life. We can make our dogs do things, in a way that suits us, or we can give them agency and honor their needs by giving them the proper coping skills to deal with situations they are uncomfortable with. We can also add in the use management to help them gain better skills to live in our world.

There is no longer a place for punishment in their world. This has been scientifically proven and I have practiced both methods (punishment and positive) over my many (50+) years of training. My results over the last 20 years with current training methods have shown to be extremely more successful and are relatively risk free. Please consider this when you pick training methods for your dogs. They are sentient beings with feelings and needs that we, as their guardians must meet. Please stand up for them and stop the punishment methods being promoted by others!

Please call us at 828-507-3020 to set up you free phone consult.

04/24/2024

We practice ONLY current science-based training methods that enrich the human-dog relationship. We think this should be the number one philosophy of any ethical dog trainer. Please don’t use aversive methods and put your dog at risk.

04/10/2024

Why We Don’t Use Shock Collar Training
AKA E-Collar, electronic collar
(We Use Current Science-based Training)

True story: Mary saw the puppy and guardian re-enter the park, with the puppy wearing an e-collar. The puppy resumed her buoyant behavior, this time heading toward Mary and her dog, Buster. She jumped up to greet Mary and her owner shocked her for jumping while she was trying to say hello. Mary writes, "I've seen situations like this more times than I can count at local dog parks and trails.

As a trainer, it breaks my heart, because I know how the story often goes...while the owner may have been intending to diminish and disrupt jumping, she was likely unintentionally building an association between strangers, dogs, and shock. This can create a scenario in which, at best, a dog doesn't offer any behaviors due to fear, and at worst, a dog who becomes more reactive, worried, and overtly aggressive, leading to bites."

Call us at 828-507-3020 to get the right help for you and your dog. Don’t put your dog at risk.

03/23/2024

We are all about educating. If we can prevent issues by teaching why things like that happen, we can do better by our dogs.

We can help more in a 2 hour in-your home consult by helping you understand your dogs’ behaviors, than a fix-my-dog board and train (that costs $1000’s) which doesn’t address things from a science-based behavioral perspective. Fixed behaviors are very subject to reoccurring or presenting in a different way. Call us today to set up your free phone consult at 828-507-3020.

Many calls I get are from concerned parents after their dog has snapped or bitten their child. This usually happens when the child approaches the dog while resting or just being comfortable.

👦Toddlers especially are prone to a bite for giving a kiss goodnight. The awkward and unsteady tiny human is concerning to dogs. Dogs will offer signals prior to a bite but often we miss them as they happen fast.

❗This is why we suggest blowing a kiss, waving night night or as The Family Dog suggests kissing your hand and then touching your dog. Children leaning down on to a dog to give a kiss is often seen as threatening to the dog and we don’t want any unfortunate bites to happen. Keep this in mind and express love from a dog’s mindset.

❗Give space, stay out of their face. Dog and baby on the scene a parent in between. Most of all INVITES DECREASE BITES.

03/18/2024

We believe all training should be based on the Humane Hierarchy. Read more about how it works. We’d be happy to help you in your dog! Just takes a 2 hour in-your-home consultation. Yes, we come to you, so we can assess your dog in their home environment. We will help you and your dog get a new start in just two hours with our amazing science based training methods. Call us at 828-507-3020 to set up your free phone consult. We have been training in Brevard since 2002.

Humane Hierarchy

Our training approach is based on the use of the Humane Hierarchy as defined by Susan Friedman. The first thing we address during a consult is our clients dog’s wellness needs. That means is something amiss physically, emotionally, nutritionally?

I recently had a client who was having trouble with getting the dog to jump in the car. I first asked about any physical issues, such as hip problems or injury. The dog had recently had a vet check up that was fine and no physical malady’s were present. Next, I asked if there had been any known bad experiences that had happened while in the car or getting into the car, the owners were unaware of any.

I asked to see their car to evaluate the set up of the vehicle. We brought the dog and opened the hatch of the car and encourage the dog to jump in for my yummy treats, no go. I noticed that the entry spot for the dogs front feet was a metal surface. Bingo! I thought, we’ve got a footing issue. The dog was not feeling secure when entering the car as she would feel her feet slide. I went to my car and pulled out my non-slip rug that I use for my dogs. I placed it in the car covering the metal surface area so that it was solid footing. Taking treats again I worked with the dog in getting her to jump up (with just her front feet) to get the treat and allowed her to get back down. The exercise was repeated 10 times with the dog being the freedom to decline going further. I told the owners it’s better to go slow and create confidence than to force the dog to do something they had found fearful, and that they should keep practicing.

When I left the owners home that day they headed to the store and picked up a non-slip rug. Upon returning home they implemented the rug as I had, went to get the dog and the treats, and the first treat they tossed in the dog jumped right in the car. They have had absolutely no problems with her getting into the car since then.

Once-upon a time I would have just made the dog get in the car………..but knowledge and experience have been great teachers!

The Hierarchy and Trainers’ Skills:
Aversive procedures are, for many people, the default solution to behavior challenges. It will always be easier (requiring little or no skill) and sometimes faster to spray a troop of monkeys with a hose to shift them from one enclosure to another; to push an owl onto the glove with pressure on its abdomen; and to keep a dog in the heel position with a choke collar. Alternatively, it takes skill – the result of knowledge and experience – to use positive reinforcement to shape new behaviors. To adhere to the least intrusive principle, trainers must have expertise identifying an unwell animal, and using antecedent arrangement and positive reinforcement, prompting and fading, shaping new behaviors, strengthening appropriate alternative behaviors, and functional assessment. This is where contemporary trainers excel; this is the deep expertise offered by our profession. We are expert at changing behavior by changing conditions with a minimum of force and coercion. ~ Written By Susan G. Friedman, PH.D

02/20/2024

01/03/2024

What Is Liquid Training?

We believe that creating a unique plan for each dog and their owner is crucial to helping with dogs behavioral needs. Using liquid training we are cognizant of the needs of the learner and the work is build upon that. Each learner is different and the learner is different in each moment. If we observe and assess, we can experiment continually to find what works to meet the needs of that dog. Paying attention to the details makes for better human interaction with the dog. Do they come back quickly? Are they able to be present when asked? Are they overwhelmed? Relaxed, tense, willing? Do we need to reduce the level of stress for the dog? The most successful training methods should be fluid to constantly address your dogs’ particular needs. Let us show you how well it works. We do not require payment in advance for sessions, we believe you should see our work first!

Call us today at 828-507-3020 to set up your phone consult. We are certified, veterinarian approved, and have been practicing in Brevard, NC (also WNC and SC foothills) since 2002.

12/27/2023

I have been seeing a common issue with people’s dogs. It is car sickness/ anxiety. It seems to becoming more problematic with clients. It’s important to stress that dogs in cars need adequate footing to feel safe. (They need it other places as well, not just cars:). I’ve seen lots of clients struggling with this. Adequate footing in my opinion, means rubber backed rugs for footing on top of any potentially slippery surfaces, such as leather seats, plastic floor pans/covers in SUV’s, crate pans in crates, and those dog hammocks (and better yet a dog bed placed in the hammock.). Those hammock move/sway during travel and can quickly initiate car anxiety/sickness.

If you have a dog that experiences car issues please contact us for help. It is better to get the right help immediately than to wait and see if it gets better. We use force free science-based methods that will not do harm to your dog. Call us at 828-507-3020 to set up your free phone consult.