Affinity Dog Behavior & Training

11/23/2024

Some good puppy info.
And I would add it is good to expose your puppy safely and carefully to new stimuli such as people, dogs and new places. Keeping them inside until 4 months old can have negative effects as well.

11/23/2024

I’m trying to work on my website and this guy always needs to be touching me.

11/22/2024

Whitney and her human have been working with us for a few weeks now. We are working on her reactivity and some manners. This little girl is quite the dog! She always makes me smile with her eagerness to earn those goodies!

11/22/2024

We will be closed from Sunday, Nov. 24 until Sunday, Dec. 1.
Happy Thanksgiving!

11/20/2024

Thank you all for your kind words and compassion while I navigate through grief and all the changes coming in the next few weeks. As soon as I know more and have answers I will update you all.
Thank you 😊 🦮🐾

11/18/2024

Grief is one of the hardest emotions, and is a roller coaster of feelings and moods. We said goodbye to a family member’s dog on Saturday, and it feels as though I lost my own dog.

George was truly the best dog. I learned a lot from him. He came to many of my training classes and Control Unleahsed walks. He was a very good friend and always could light up the room with his sweet and gentle nature. He just made you smile.
It was fate when my sister, Sheri, and Mark were going to meet another dog in the shelter, and a volunteer asked her to wait and meet George. The family who was meeting George didn’t want him because he wouldn’t play with the ball. And then they won the jackpot. He was adopted by them.

Rest easy George, and be free of all your pain and suffering. I’m glad I was there for you on your passing journey. I’ll miss you forever and look for you in the stars.

I am working on responding to calls and emails this week. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.

11/18/2024

As a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, I am proud to share this for free, thanks to Kim Brophey. If you work with me, I encourage you to watch this. If you are interested in dogs, I encourage you to watch this.

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...

11/17/2024

Looking at current position statements from organizations like AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior), who are the leaders on veterinary care and behavior, they are abundantly clear that the outdated belief of avoiding socialization until vaccines are completed has no place in current standards. This is relevant because in many cases this fear of strangers or a particular group of people, results from lack of socialization during this critical period and can have lifelong impacts into adulthood.

11/16/2024

Otis was relaxing after our virtual lesson. One day I hope to meet him in person. 🥰

11/13/2024

TRIGGER STACKING – WHEN BEHAVIOUR HAPPENS “OUT OF THE BLUE”

We’ve all had those days when nothing seems to go right and one frustrating thing after another happens to us, leaving us feeling wound up, stressed and ready to explode at the next unsuspecting person who dares to ask us something.

This “unsuspecting” person may think we have a serious behaviour problem or need anger management therapy, when the truth is that we’ve just had a really bad day or even a few bad days and don’t usually behave like this at all.

Dogs are no different and a behaviour that seems completely out of character or happens “out of the blue” is often caused by “trigger stacking”.

A trigger may be anything that increases a dog’s stress levels and has a negative impact on their emotional, mental or physical state.

These may be small things that we may not even notice or seem insignificant to us, but they are all adding to an increasing “stack” of events that may culminate in out of character behaviour.

When stress levels reach a certain point, the next stressful event, however small, may cause an explosive reaction that is completely unexpected.

Instead of just focusing on a particular behaviour and seeing it as a problem that needs to be prevented, take a step backwards, look at the bigger picture, look at events, circumstances or environmental factors that may have played a role leading up to that behaviour.

Being aware of potential stressors and allowing your dog time to decompress, relax and unwind for a few days will often mean the difference between “normal behaviour” and a behaviour that seems completely out of character.

11/12/2024

When I receive a message like this I know why I do this work. It isn’t easy work. It can be very hard and emotionally draining. Healing from trauma isn’t easy. Working and living with “difficult” dogs is a process and it won’t happen overnight. But you’re not alone in your journey. I stand with you not just ad a trainer, but as a friend.

11/12/2024

Otis is a dog I work with virtually. He is a Spanish Water Dog mix who was rescued from the streets of Spain and brought to Sweden where he has lived for several years with the kindest humans. We have been working on emotional regulation and building communication between he and his humans. It’s a pleasure to see Otis and his humans on screen in our sessions, and I do plan to go visit them. It’s so nice to have friends around the world. 💜

11/11/2024

11/07/2024

The experts all agree.

I think this is one of the biggest realisations that can help people leaving with sensitive and complex dogs who struggle with things they encounter in the world around them, that the daily walk isn't absolutely mandatory.

Yes, we need to find other ways to physically and mentally stimulate them, but going out into a world they struggle with day after day so that they (and we) are never able to truly recover and return to a real sense of calm is not helping either of us.

Find a secure field somewhere they can run around and explore in safety and both of us can relax.

Do some training at home.

Try some food puzzles (pitched to a level where your dog can succeed with a little work).

Maybe a little bit of fun agility in the garden, or some doggy parkour.

Scentwork exercises around the house and garden (one of my personal favourites with all my dogs).

Anything that exercises body and mind will help to keep them contented and happy while taking a break from going out into that world they find so difficult.

Once we have both had a chance to recharge and de-stress then we can start planning a return to walking in a way that will help our dogs to feel safer in the world.

11/05/2024

I’ve been learning even more about canines and canine behavior. This helps me in my work with my clients in the United States, Canada and Europe, and especially for when I go to India in 2025 to observe the free living dogs there!