Courteous Canine of Jackson County NC

08/12/2024

If I hadn't had this name for 20+ years, would choose The Cooperative Canine.

08/02/2024

I would like to help you understand your dog's behavior. I have been helping dogs with their owners for over 30 years.

Send a message to learn more

07/18/2024

If I tell someone that I work with dogs, it’s guaranteed that that person will ask me for advice about their dogs. This happens no matter where I am. If I’m getting a massage, I get asked about hou…

06/05/2024

Any dogs need help with their owners? LAST CLASS THIS SUMMER.

The Courteous Canine is back, hosted by our lovely volunteer Jane Finneran! Check out the flyer below for more info. Proceeds benefit our shelter and ARF.

05/26/2024

05/22/2024

Research your breed or your "mix" of breeds!
I would add -Hounds have noses.

Always consider the breed NOT their looks.

05/08/2024

True service dogs are trained to the MAX!

04/24/2024

Never know when you might need one.

04/22/2024

THIS is very important!

04/13/2024

This is why I do not recommend Board & Train. YOU need to know how to train your dog.

Dog training isn't just about training a dog. A dog's owner must also learn certain behaviors that help cue their dog's responses.

04/12/2024

Pay attention to growls, the dog is trying to communicate.

IT'S NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK!

A great opportunity to discuss growling, and why it is such an important part of canine communication.

There is a common saying that we should reward the behaviour we like and ignore what we don’t like, but we need to realise that growling isn’t disobedience or poor behaviour; it is a reflection of how they are feeling, and it is vital communication which should be heeded and acted upon. Often, all that is needed is some distance from a trigger in order to help them feel better.

Attempting to suppress the behaviour through punishment in the form of a telling off is never the answer, as it does nothing to address the emotions at the root of an issue. It does, however, make it increasingly likely that the dog will escalate his efforts to make himself understood, and is more likely to skip the growling stage and go straight to a bite. Growling is actually one of the last communications on the “Canine Ladder of Aggression”, so we should be very careful to respect the growl and treat it as a gift, rather than trying to stamp it out. We need as much of an early warning system as we can get!

Learning how to recognise and understand canine body language is an essential skill for guardians and professionals alike. If we can spot the more subtle signs of worry and stress, we can take action to remove our dogs from any situations in which they feel pressured or uncomfortable, reducing the need for them to escalate their behaviour.

Being on the receiving end of growling is no fun, and can actually be quite a scary experience, even when it is our own dogs doing the growling. When we love and care for them so much, it can be difficult not to take it personally when it happens.
In this blog, I look at the feelings we might experience, what the growling may mean, how it can help us, and how best to respond:

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/why-we-should-be-grateful-for-the-growl-it-s-a-gift

If you would like further reading on the science of canine stress and recognising the signs, you might find the following of use:

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/the-science-of-stress-part-one

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/the-science-of-stress-part-two-spotting-the-signs

© Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

I'm very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

04/10/2024

Do not let children hug dogs

Stop National Hug Your Dog Day and change that to National Love Your Dog Day, as many dogs tolerate hugging but don't like it or hate it

03/30/2024

We do a book club together on the bed one or two afternoons per week.

The power of doing nothing - Nordic Education Centre for Dog Trainers

03/23/2024

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.

03/13/2024

I personally do not believe dogs are stubborn. I think they are too good for that!

https://www.facebook.com/seespotlearn/posts/809631541172873

03/04/2024

NEXT DOG TRAINING CLASS - APRIL 20TH
at the new shelter. 9-10 am for
5 wks. $75

02/15/2024

Beware of puppies from Facebook and Craigslist. Just say NO!

Listing for puppies for sale from unscrupulous backyard breeders are a frequent sight on Facebook and Craigslist in spite of prohibitions.

01/26/2024

VERY important. Protect your young puppy from bad experiences.

Early life experiences are known to shape the behavioural development of animals, and therefore events occurring during preadolescence and adolescence…

01/20/2024

Jane Finneran CPDT
Only certified professional dog trainer in Jackson County

01/02/2024

Maybe a goal for the New Year?

Place training has become a common technique for many trainers, including myself, in recent years. However, it is not the same as asking a dog to sit on a bed or stand/sit still in a specific spot. The place mat, bed, or...

12/23/2023

Everyone (humans & dogs) have a wonderful and safe holiday!

There's a lot of emphasis spent on what dogs shouldn't be allowed to eat at Christmas. We must also remember to consider how they feel.

So, once the physical safety of your dog is ensured, it's time to focus on their social and emotional health, which is often overlooked during the busy Christmas period.

Understanding Your Dog's Perspective

Dogs are creatures of habit, and the sudden influx of guests, loud music, and altered routines can be overwhelming for them. It’s important to understand the world from their perspective. Some dogs might revel in the extra attention, while others may find it distressing.

Creating a Safe Haven

A key strategy is to provide a safe, quiet space where your dog can retreat if the festivities become too much. This could be a quiet room or a cosy corner with their favourite bed and toys. Make this a no-go zone for guests, ensuring your dog has a sanctuary.

Maintaining Routine

Try to keep your dog's routine as normal as possible. Regular feeding times, walks, and play sessions provide a sense of security and normality amidst the chaos of Christmas.

Monitoring and Responding to Stress Signals

Be vigilant for signs of stress in your dog. These can include excessive panting, yawning, licking of lips, or hiding. If you notice these signs, provide reassurance and consider removing them from the stressful situation.

Social Interactions

If your dog is comfortable around guests, encourage positive interactions. However, it’s crucial to supervise these encounters, especially with children who may not understand how to interact safely and respectfully with dogs.

Quiet Time

Don’t forget to schedule some quiet time with your dog. A gentle cuddle or a quiet walk can be a soothing break for both of you.

12/23/2023

Long slow walks are very good for calming.

12/13/2023

RESEARCH REQUIRED!

Choosing a dog just because of the way they look.

We wouldn’t choose a partner or make a commitment to sharing our lives with someone based purely on the way they look – (I suppose there could be exceptions in some cases!)

We would first really get to know them, what kind of personality they have and who they really are before making that sort of commitment.

Yet people continue to choose dogs just because of the way they look.

Maybe they saw a dog like that in a movie that they enjoyed or maybe they just really like the way they look, without having any understanding or thought to learn about what that particular breed was selectively bred to do and what behaviour might be expected.

The way a dog behaves is not always specific to the breed. Dogs are individuals, with their own unique personality and their behaviour is shaped not only by genetics, but by specific life and learning experiences and environment, but problems can happen when the traits of that breed and their specific needs are not taken into account.

Some breeds may just simply not be compatible with a particular person or family’s needs, lifestyle, environment or expectations.

Is it fair or ethical to need to suppress, train out or even punish breed specific tendencies, calling them behaviour problems, when we hold a dog in a captive environment that is unsuitable for them.

First research the breed and learn all you can about potential traits and what to expect before making that choice.