Debbie Thomas CPDT

05/29/2024

Pittsburgh Trainers and Dog Guardians - this awesome seminar is coming to Pittsburgh. This pair of talented speakers have been traveling the country with this seminar and now WE have the opportunity to see it live! There is a minimum number of people that need to attend to make this happen, so if you are interested - SIGN UP NOW!

🗣️ Hello Behavior Vets community!

🎉 We are coming to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to present The Resilience Framework this summer!

Eliminating all stress in life is impossible and is never the goal of training. Instead, the goal is to help a learner acquire the skills which enable them to process stressful experiences and grow more resilient from them. In this 2-day seminar, we will use a model founded on scientific principles, which was created by our experts here at Behavior Vets. The Resilience Framework represents seven domains around which an individualized training plan can be created which will support the dog’s development and help them build resilience; we are calling it the Resilience Rainbow. 🌈

👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-resilience-framework-pittsburgh-pa-tickets-845230014727?aff=oddtdtcreator

📚CEUs pending

💰Tuition:
⭐️ Early Bird Tickets – before March 31, 2024: $266
⭐️ General Admission Tickets – after March 31, 2024: $299
⭐️ Shelter/Rescue/Vet Student/Vet Tech Tickets - no expiration date: $266

🎓 Behavior Vets Memberships 🎓
We are grateful that you trust us with your continued education, and we wanted to make it even easier for you to learn and grow with us.

We are grateful that you trust us with your continued education, and we wanted to make it even easier for you to learn and grow with us.

🔥 Exclusive Content: Dive into premium articles, videos, and tutorials available only to our members.
🌟 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and thought leaders.
🚀 Early Access: Be the first to know about new features, events, and updates.
🎁 Bonus Perks: Enjoy special discounts, freebies, and surprises.
📚 Learning Hub: Access our knowledge base, courses, and workshops.

👉 There are two ways to enroll for each membership:

📝 INTRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $29.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscriptions?id=behavior-vets-basic-membership-plan

Yearly: Purchase this package for $299.99 and save $60.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/basic-behavior-vets-membership 💼📚

💡PLUS MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $39.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-mid-tier-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $399.99 and save $80.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-plus-membership-annual 💼📚

📖 PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-premium-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-premium-membership-annual 💼📚

📚PRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.

Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-premium-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00.

Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-pro-membership-annual 💼📚

05/04/2024

Did you know the way you train, or 'parent' your dog affects their attachment style?? 😮

It has been long recognised that a secure attachment style is the most optimum attachment style for human children, as it allows the child to feel more comfortable exploring and interacting with the world, and in the long term being able to grow into a well adjusted adult. The same parallel has also been found in dogs, and that secure attachment provides the optimum starting place for a well adjusted canine companion!

There is now even research showing that the pet parenting or training styles you use with your dog similarly mirror the parenting styles used for human children, and how they impact whether or not a secure attachment will form. With human children the styles of parenting are separated into several distinct styles including:

🔹Authoritative (responsive to needs, solves problems together, with clear expectations and rules)

🔹Authoritarian (demands obedience rather than working together, punishment based and little care of the child/learners needs or feelings)

🔹Permissive (no real boundaries or structure, indulgent of wants and needs of the child/learner)

And..

🔹 Neglectful/uninvolved (inconsistent boundaries, generally uninvolved and unresponsive to feelings or needs).

It has also been found that the authoritative style of pet parenting (shown through positive training, supportive and nurturing but not permissive) has the best outcome for producing securely attached dogs, and that the dogs were 'highly social, sensitive to social context and were more persistent and successful on the problem solving tasks'. Whereas authoritarian pet parenting (shown through balanced/alpha based training, strong boundaries and punishment based) had a significantly lower chance of producing a dog with a secure attachment. Permissive pet parenting styles (training with little to no boundaries or structure) also were less likely to have a secure attachment style (this research did not cover neglectful parenting styles).

This is further evidence, backed by scientific study, that punishment based training does not produce the most well adjusted canine companions, and that structure and boundaries taught with kindness rather than fear is the way to go! 👍

You can check out the study mentioned in the graphic for yourself here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36175745/

And learn more about attachment in our previous graphic here: https://www.facebook.com/DogNerdSuss*x/posts/pfbid02vKQKArqRNLn44TnsCQi7v4ck565piEE8idrT7rA5jEFN1SZvMGKo6aVnn9cz4yTjl

05/03/2024

Sign ups are open until Sunday

Just a few more days to sign up for our Separation Anxiety Seminar! Registration will close on Sunday!

Join us for an evening with Separation Anxiety Professional, Debbie Thomas CPDT-KA discussing all things separation anxiety!

Learn what the difference is between a dog who is struggling with separation anxiety v.s. a dog who is simply bored or destructive. Learn the causes of separation anxiety and ways you can minimize it or help prevent it. Learn about management strategies and training strategies to help improve the situation. What rescues or shelters can do to support the dogs in their care and the adopters for dogs who may be struggling with separation issues.

The event will be roughly 90 minutes and CPDT-KA trainers are eligible for 2 CEUs.

This event is being held May 7th at 1932 Spring Garden Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (Success Just Clicks Dog Training).

This event is $25 per person (or FREE for AMPP members)

SIGN UP HERE https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/50aa96be/?appointmentTypeIds[]=58976876

05/03/2024

05/02/2024

I will be teaching some Dog Classes at Dogtopia on Sundays! You Do Not need to be a current client. All are welcome

We are so excited to announce our new training program! Call (724) 461-5855 or email [email protected] to sign up and check back for more exciting training opportunities!

We will be offering the following introductory classes:

Loose Leash Walking

This three part class is all about teamwork between you and your dog. We will focus on leash walking skills and engaging in activities that maintain focus on the handler. Together we will strive for more enjoyable walks. We will work with a 6 foot leash and 15 ft long lines.

12:10 pm - 1:00 pm

May 12th, May 19th, June 2nd

Cautious Canines

This five-part class will help your dog gain confidence through enriching activities. The skills they gain will give them the courage to meet new people and enjoy being in new situations and environments. Building positive associations with handling, grooming, and vet visits will also be covered.

10:00 am - 10:50 am

May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, June 2nd, and June 9th

Basic Manners - 10 months + Five Week Class

This five week class introduces your dog to "leave it", "drop it", "wait", and "stay". Loose leash walking will also be introduced as well as solid recall.

A solid foundation of basic skills is the key to a well-behaved dog. This class will provide insight into how dogs learn and think, and how that knowledge can help us teach, enrich, and empower our pups.

11:10 am - 12:00 pm

May 5th, May 12th, May 19th, June 2nd, and June 9th

04/29/2024

Changes in body language can happen very quickly, literally in seconds as the dog moves from being aroused to reacting. What differences can you spot in these two photos, taken one after the other?

04/07/2024

Walking with worried dogs can make walks hard, emotional and even scary. It's important to remember that even when a dog lunges forward, they are just trying to stay safe. We can help you to understand your dog and learn howe to make walks better, just drop us a line below.

04/07/2024

ADOLESCENCE:
As dogs go through adolescence, it’s safe to say things turn a little topsy-turvy! 🙃

If you’re currently at this stage and feeling like you’ve taken one step forward and two steps back, don’t panic! During this stage of life, there’s a lot going on in their busy little brains.

Here are three facts about the adolescent brain 🧠👇

1. The inhibitory neurons of the amygdala that help to dampen down emotional responses don’t fully mature until the END of adolescence.

2. Communication between the frontal cortex and amygdala, which is essential for skills training, decreases during adolescence.

3. Extinction memory is impaired during adolescence, so if your dog has a bad experience it’s much more likely to lead to a ‘hard wired’ fear memory.

Have patience and compassion as you support and guide your dog through this vulnerable period of brain development.

04/05/2024

https://www.baywoof.org/featured-article/if-it-didnt-hurt-it-wouldnt-work-the-truth-about-choke-prong-and-shock-collars

By Ren Volpe

04/05/2024

https://www.puzzledog.ca

This is a great read - hoping Tessa does a lot more blogs.

Enriching dogs' and humans' lives and learning about mental and physical well being through (DIY) puzzles and sensory Room sessions.

04/05/2024

PREPARING DOGS FOR A BABY
Babies bring big changes for everyone in the family, but the changes this brings for a dog are often underestimated or overlooked.

The arrival of this “strange creature” often means less attention, a lack of predictable routines, strange noises and smells, strange equipment and perhaps restricted access to certain areas or even lots of visitors.

Just as it takes time in planning, preparing and getting ready for a baby, time should also be taken in getting a dog ready for changes this will bring.

Change is not always easy. Any stress about how your dog will react will be easier to cope with by knowing you have prepared well in advance.

Think about the different scenarios a dog will need to get used to and gradually introduce these so that dogs don’t negatively associate changes and different routines with a baby’s arrival.

Preparing well beforehand and then closely managing interactions between your dog and baby is really important for safety, peace of mind, building positive associations and creating positive relationships.

Dogs generally adapt well to the arrival of a baby but it’s important to plan in advance to make this transition as stress free as possible for your dog.

For more detailed information - here are some links to some specialists in this field -
https://poochparenting.net/
https://cooperandkids.com/preparing-dog-new-baby/
https://www.familypaws.com/resources/
https://babyandpet.com.au/about-the-book-tell-your-dog-youre-pregnant/
by Dr Lewis Kirkham – Preparing your dog for new sounds with a step-by-step guide and baby and toy noises

04/05/2024

Ever wondered why a puppy's behavior seems erratic during adolescence, which occurs between six months and 18 months of age?

The neurobiology of adolescence is fascinating, with some key events that alter both the structure and function of the brain.

During canine adolescence, s*x hormones are changing which effects the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to modulate sensory processing and subsequent behavior.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control.

So what does this mean? This could mean that your dog, who used to come when called, suddenly cannot. This could mean that your dog, who didn't jump up on guests, suddenly does. Your dog that walked nicely on leash is now pulling. Or perhaps it seems like some days your dog responds to behaviors you ask of them, and some days they don't, without any rhyme or reason.

We also see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

As your puppy undergoes this transition into adulthood their inner world is intense, even chaotic. Many pet owners experience an increase in undesirable behavior and find themselves becoming increasingly frustrated. In turn, frustration and impatience sometimes cause us to act unpredictably.

This adds to your puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for puppies to adjust.

By understanding this we can gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we can help create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best selves.

04/04/2024

https://pupford.com/dog-training-myths/

Is what you read online true or just part of dangerous dog training myths? Check out an interview with a certified dog trainer to learn 5 common training myths!

04/02/2024

After receiving thousands of nominations, here are the finalists in more than 100 categories. Now it's your turn to choose the best of the best.

03/25/2024

This 100%!

03/20/2024

DID YOU HEAR THE NEWS? AMPP member is hosting an in-person seminar on SEPARATION ANXIETY at in Pittsburgh, Pa! The seminar will take place on May 7th @ 6:30pm. CPDT CEU’s are available.

Key topics:

—What is separation anxiety? Explore the definition, prevalence, and impact of separation anxiety on dogs and their owners.

—Causes of separation anxiety: Uncover the underlying factors that contribute to separation anxiety, including genetics, temperament, life experiences, and environmental triggers.

—Symptoms of separation anxiety: Learn to recognize the telltale signs and behaviors that indicate separation anxiety, such as excessive barking, destructive behaviors, and house soiling.

—How to manage separation anxiety: Gain practical tips and techniques for managing separation anxiety in your dog, including creating a structured routine, providing enrichment activities, and practicing gradual desensitization.

—Training techniques to reduce separation anxiety: Discover effective training methods that can help your dog cope with separation, including positive reinforcement, counterconditioning, and systematic desensitization.
Medications and other treatment options.

For details, visit https://www.pittsburghpetprofessionals.com/eventsandseminars!