Robin's Nest Pet Care & K9 Training

03/19/2025

Do you think it’s unfair or mean to eat in front of your dog? Should we not be able to eat in peace without the dog begging or stalking us?

Here’s the deal. When I feed a dog- I don’t bother them. I don’t put my hands in their bowl or stand over them (please do not this / you will create problems ).

So when I eat / dog needs to leave me alone. You’re not getting any and it’s rude. Just like it’s rude to the dog if we mess with their food. And yes they understand.

Don’t create bad habits with your dog. We all start somewhere. I did things wrong with my first dog and as cute as he was - he www obnoxious when there was food around.

Set your boundaries and get the respect from your dog that you give to them. It’s very simple -
Communicate clearly. Black
And white. The dog will get it.

Last picture - she settled and doesn’t care about my food anymore.

I tether the dog so she doesn’t have the ability to get in my face so I don’t have to physically restrain or handle her and she’s on place where she needs to stay.

03/18/2025

While there are undeniably many factors that are having an impact on canine behavior, in my opinion they’re small potatoes, and don’t come anywhere near close to truly answering what’s going on.

Yes there’s lots of poor breeding. Yes many folks select dog breeds or mixes who come with more “stuff” than others. And yes there are more dogs in homes than ever before.

But all of these same dogs who have developed problem behaviors come to us, and many other skilled, reality-based trainers — and their issues strangely disappear.

They become wonderfully balanced, well-behaved, and super enjoyable dogs. The same ones that we could easily ascribe the above causes as the causes to their issues.

Here’s the thing most owners don’t want to acknowledge: we’ve changed far more than the dogs have.

We’ve been consistently and relentlessly programmed by society to eschew and despise strength, firmness, and hierarchy — while simultaneously we’ve been taught to embrace and cherish softness, permissiveness, and human/dog equality.

When you examine this shift, and if you’re willing to be completely honest that it has indeed shifted, understanding why we’re in this mess with our dogs is wildly obvious.

Because even if modern tools and training have advanced by leaps and bounds, if the mindset which employs them is one that finds all the heathy, transformative components of leading our dogs to be repulsive… none of it matters.

So the real answer to solving the canine behavior issue epidemic isn’t to be found in the superficial and the easy, it’s to be found in solving the human behavior issues which are the downstream effects of the dysfunctional beliefs and values we’ve allowed ourselves to be infected by.

03/18/2025

Welcome Sasha ! 3 year old GSD here for a board and train. She’s a very nice dog with some anxiety. She’s settling in nicely 🤎

03/11/2025

THE “P WORD” SOME TRAINERS HAVE FORGOTTEN

Training is going on all around us all the time.

So too is bad behavior.

Most of the time, however, bad behavior is put in check, not by rewards but by aversive consequences.

These two men will stop fighting pretty quickly once the police come, and they will not be quick to fight again after the police haul them to the station, book them, and they have to explain to their spouse, children, and boss why they have to go to court, pay a fine, and spend the weekend in jail.

No policeman ever said: "We have to know why they are fighting in order to change their behavior"

No policeman ever said: "It will take a long time to teach them not to fight."

Police and the criminal justice system know something; Fighting is a self-rewarding behavior.

Sometimes it feels good to get the adrenaline up and pop someone in the nose.

And yet, it doesn't happen too often in our daily lives because time and experience has shown us that staying calm and walking away results in a better long-term outcome almost every time.

When did we learn that? Was it second grade when we were pulled down to the principals office and our parents were mortified because we were suspended for a day?

That didn't take? Then the penalties got higher until they did. How much do you want to lose? Your allowance? The car? Your freedom? Your job? Your future?

Our entire legal system swings on penalties to stop self-rewarding behavior, whether they are penalties for simple assault or robbery, sexual assault, or embezzlement.

Why is our legal system focused on penalties?

Because they work.

Rewards are great for encouraging people to show up early, study hard, and help paint the gym, but none of those behaviors are internally self-rewarding, which is why they have to be externally self-rewarding.

How do you stop internally self-rewarding behavior, and how do you stop it pretty damn quick?

Punishment. The "P" word.

And does punishment work? What if it physically hurts these two men? What if it psychology damages them or their community? Is there a better way?

Those last three questions are good ones to ask, but they are subordinate to the FIRST question: Does it work?

Did having the police show up, book these guys, and send them to court and jail (while taking a deep dive into their wallets) discourage them from rushing out to fight again?

Yep. That works. Significant memorable consequences are remembered and shape future behavior.

That's why punishment is the core response used to stop self-rewarding anti-social behaviors all over the world.

But that's not how the modern dog trainer does it, is it?

They suggest we try to distract these two men with something shiny or fun. Perhaps a girl, or a martini, or a five dollar bill.

They suggest we exercise these two men more so they are too tired to fight.

They suggest letting them fight and, as soon as one slows down and is not swinging quite as hard as the other one, that we jump in and say "what a good boy" and toss them an Oreo cookie to encourage more of that kind of behavior.

They suggest turning our back on them and just ignore the fighting.

They suggest having one work the night shift, and the other the day shift, so they never run into each other.

They suggest that we try to figure out why they are fighting. Maybe they need to be socialized more? Maybe it's a medical thing? Maybe they're bored or its a dominance thing? Have they both been neutered? Is it smell? Are they resource guarding? Is a woman in heat nearby?

But you know what they never quite get around to suggesting? Punishment.

And you know what they never quite get around to asking? Did the punishment work?

Ask the trick trainer how to stop a dog barking at every squirrel it sees through a window, and it's either "pull the blinds" or "teach a down stay," or my absolute favorite: "teach the dog to bark on cue and then never give the cue."

Putting a bark collar on the dog is not suggested. That's too easy. Where's the 50-hours in training at $20 an hour in that?

But does it work?

Like new money.

03/10/2025

This is a great deal with an awesome photographer! Dave Breen of Breen Photo - Pet Photography is awesome 😎

Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time for a pet photoshoot! For a limited time, when you book a session with Breen Photo, you’ll receive 2 additional digital downloads PLUS a free 16x20 canvas print—a $160 value, absolutely free!

📸 What’s included in this special offer?
✅ A custom pet photography session
✅ 2 bonus digital images (on top of your package)
✅ A free 16x20 canvas print – perfect for showcasing your pet’s personality!

🌿 Act fast! This offer is only valid for sessions scheduled between now and May 31st. Don’t miss out on capturing beautiful springtime portraits of your furry best friend!

📅 Contact me to schedule your session!

Let’s create something wall-worthy! 🐶📷

03/04/2025

03/01/2025

Teach your dog to relax by instructing them to assume a calm position, either on a mat or on the floor, while refraining from barking, whining, or changing positions. This calm state, akin to an 'off switch,' is highly desirable for many dog owners, including myself. The dog can be in an indoor or outdoor setting, but must remain calm and behave responsibly. To accomplish this, consistent practice is crucial, as merely instructing the dog to relax is insufficient, particularly for dogs with high energy levels.

02/09/2025

Anu- 5 month old Cane Corso learning to relax and chill. Honestly he’s a pretty chill boy to begin with, he has a really nice level temperament.

Pet dogs should be able to have an off switch and be ok existing in the world without constant affection, attention, play etc. Doesn’t mean he never gets those things. But this is training the dog to just exist with us organically. 🖤

02/08/2025

This is not only very easy to teach but we have multiple opportunities throughout the day to practice the right behavior.

Every time we leave and enter the house - it’s an opportunity to teach / rehearse wait at threshold for release.

Thresholds are doorways, cars, stairway etc. We do this for safety and manners.

You see when I pull on the leash Anu doesn’t go because we taught him he only breaks for his verbal release which is “OK”.

This is 6 days of training with me. When people say they are trying but can’t get this result, they aren’t doing. Again the dog will learn from mistakes and that’s part of the process.

Clear communication!

02/07/2025

02/06/2025

A must watch for all dog owners !!

02/04/2025

Anu is here for board
And train. Stay tuned to watch his progress with building an obedience foundation, manners, leash handling and more. He’s going to be a big boy at minimum 120 pounds !

02/04/2025

One of the many reasons we take control of the potty schedule for dogs/puppies while training is to teach them to hold it for an appropriate amount of time in addition to understanding they only have access to eliminate when we take them out.

We want to create a sense of urgency and not have the dog be lackadaisical and or believe he can go later on instead of doing business right away.

If you do it right in the beginning you will teach your dog not to pee/poop in your house and eliminating bladder and bowels becomes a structured part of life. It shouldn’t be a big event where you walk the dog for 20+ minutes in order to get business done.

Nothing worse than an adolescent or adult dog that isn’t house broken.

Stop waiting for them to tell you they have to go. It doesn’t work that way if you want a trained dog that truly understands not to go in the house and can go quickly when needed.

Need help ? Call me I can help !