Linda is a trailblazing influencer dog welfare advocacy.
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Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, author of the ground-breaking, best-seller, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook, is the founder of the “First, Do No Harm” approach in dog training. Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, author of the ground-breaking, best-seller, The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook: Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, is the founder of the “First, Do No
Harm” approach in dog training. Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and Dogwise— fine booksellers and libraries through Ingram Spark~ https://amzn.to/3Ptt14g
Linda is a trailblazing influencer in canine behavior consulting and animal welfare advocacy. Her internationally acclaimed Hierarchy of Dog Needs guide offers a clear, dog-centered alternative to outdated paradigms that include punitive methods. Her new Do No Harm swag store encourages pet parents and trainers to wear their dog care ethics “on their sleeves.”
10/07/2024
Dogx 2024 is underway with the magnificent Linda Michaels.
09/27/2024
Meet me here, for this ExTraOrdinary Day Conference. I'm just finishing packing and cannot wait to meet you!
We only have 26 tickets left and they are going FAST! Don't delay and miss out on all the excellent speakers we have for this year at DOGX 2024 like our keynote speaker...
Linda Michaels, M.A.
We could not be more thrilled to have Linda speaking in her FIRST UK in-person engagement.
Linda is world renowned for both her wonderful academic AND hands on skills in Dog Training.
She is the author of the wonderful “Do No Harm Dog Training and Behaviour Handbook” and creator of the, internationally acclaimed “Hierarchy of Dogs Needs”.
Linda tirelessly champions effective, ethical methods through many channels and we are very excited indeed to have her present a talk for us (we know you will be too). Here is a quote directly from Linda herself that speaks to just why we know her talk will be invaluable:
“My shelter experience working with the most difficult behavioural cases helped lay the foundation for all of the work I do today in animal care and training, protecting both the
physical and the emotional well-being of the heartbeats at our feet.”
FACING THE FEAR
There is a common disbelief that comforting a dog that is feeling scared, anxious or stressed will only reinforce, encourage the feeling and make it worse.
This belief is incorrect. Fear is an emotional response and one that a dog does not choose or decides to feel.
An emotion is an involuntary, uncontrolled response that cannot be reinforced.
Punishing fear-based behaviour is even worse than not providing comfort as it creates even more negative associations with whatever the “scary thing" is.
Behaviour and emotions are intrinsically linked in important ways, but they are still not the same thing and require different approaches when they become a problem.
Imagine an intruder broke into your home, tied you up and took off with your belongings. After being freed and getting help, a friend arrives to see how you are.
Your friend tells you that she can see that you’re really anxious and scared but she’s just going to completely ignore you, is not going to attempt to comfort you, sit with you or support you because by doing so she will make you even more afraid and upset. Does that reaction make any sense?
Why should it be any different for dogs that also experience a range of emotions? Why then is it still believed that we should ignore our dogs?
Probably because there is confusion and misunderstanding about the difference between an emotional response - which is an involuntary response and a learned response - which has varying degrees of conscious control.
If we acknowledge that providing comfort and support to a dog that is experiencing these emotions will not reinforce them, do we know if providing comfort will reduce these emotions?
Research on this subject is showing evidence that providing comfort and support in stressful situations decreases a dog’s heart rate, salivary cortisol levels, reduces stress responses and increases calm behaviour.
Ignoring a dog’s emotions because of misinformed advice in the belief that this will change the behaviour is more damaging than helpful.
We need to accept and acknowledge that our dogs are having an emotional response and not a behavioural problem.
We need to show compassion, understanding, be a secure base, a safe haven and provide the appropriate comfort when our dogs need it.
08/07/2024
With Yappily – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉
08/02/2024
THIS!❤️
08/02/2024
Spot on, Zak George. You nailed it! We love you!
07/29/2024
💥LAST CHANCE TO WIN💥
🎂 Yappily's 1st Anniversary Celebration Book Giveaway! 🐾
We're so happy to celebrate Yappily's first anniversary with an exciting book giveaway! One lucky winner will receive "The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook: Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs" by Do No Harm Dog Training - Linda Michaels
This essential guide is packed with compassionate training techniques for every dog parent or Dog Pro!
To enter;
💥Like this post
💥Tag 3 friends
💥Share This post!.
The winner will be announced at the end of July!. Good luck, and thank you for being a part of the Yappily family! 🌟🐕
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Do No Harm Dog Training - Linda Michaels posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Business
Send a message to Do No Harm Dog Training - Linda Michaels:
Linda Michaels, M.A. Psychology, Del Mar Dog Training, serves clients in Del Mar and San Diego County from La Jolla to Carlsbad, plus Rancho Santa Fe, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills
📷
Linda Michaels, M.A., Psychology, PCT-A was recently rated one of the top ten dog trainers in the United States, by Top Ten Magazine. Linda has a master’s degree in Experimental Psychology (Hons), and is the creator of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs®(HDN) and author of the Do No Harm Dog TrainingTM and Behavior Manual for both trainers and pet parents. 📷Linda is the Founder and Head Administrator of the wildly popular Do No Harm Facebook Group where force-free advocates from around the world gather to share resources, solve dog behavior problems, and promote animal welfare.
Linda worked with some of the most difficult behavior cases at the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA for five years, and then became an animal welfare advocate for positive/force-free training and non-aversive collars. She is a certified Fear, Aggression and Reactivity consultant and focuses on the psychological aspects of dog behavior that often mirror human psychological conditions, such as: fear, separation/attachment disorders, and dog aggression toward humans and other dogs. She is a sought-after speaker.
Linda’s laboratory research experience in behavioral neurobiology examined the interface between behavior and the brain. Her unique combination of scientific training and hands-on experience with dogs and wolfdogs creates a bridge between the worlds of research, dog trainers and pet parents as demonstrated in her presentation at the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) inaugural summit: Understanding Research: Making the case for force-free training. Linda is a proud Affiliate of the International School of Canine Psychology (ISCP), the International Companion Animal Network – Welfare First (ICAN), and the Association of INTODogs force-free training, veterinary and welfare organizations where the Hierarchy of Dog Needs is prominently featured. Linda is an accomplished author of numerous behavior articles in publications such as BARKS from the Guild (PPG) international trade magazine, the countywide UT-San Diego Scratch and Sniff column, Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Village Voice, Solana Beach Sun, Natural Awakenings magazine, San Diego Pets magazine, and Carmel Valley News. Linda is a certified veterinary assistant and the flagship SoCal Victoria Stilwell-licensed behavior consultant. She appeared as a featured expert on Huffington Post Live, Gawker.com, Wolf Dog Radio and PPG World Services. She was also a member of the Advisory Board for the Art for Barks charity, in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and was the first Behavior Advisor for the WolfEducationProject.org in Julian, CA.
Linda teaches private, customized basic manners/obedience lessons for dogs of all ages and every breed. Her practice, Do No Harm Dog Training, serves pet parents in Del Mar, La Jolla to Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Hollywood and Beverly Hills areas.
The development of the Hierarchy of Dog Needs ® (HDN) — Standards of Care and Best Force-free Practices, is a wellness and force-free behavior modification guide. This is one of Linda’s most significant contributions to animal welfare and training. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs closes the door on the perceived need and advisability of using punitive or aversive methods to train our pet dogs. It offers a clear, easy-to-use force-free alternative to some of the most popular teaching paradigms now available. The Hierarchy of Dog Needs is in use internationally by veterinary behaviorists, veterinarians, dog trainers (including working-dog and police-dog trainers), groomers, shelters, rescues, animal welfare advocates, as well as pet parents, and is now available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Danish, and German.
Do No Harm Dog Training Facebook Group. Founder and Admin. 2017 – Current
CREDENTIALS
Master of Arts/Experimental Psychology with Distinction. San Diego State University
University Scholar Award. Psychology Department, San Diego State University
McNair Science Scholar
Behavioral Neurobiology Research
Behavioral Trials and Histological Examinations
Certified Veterinary Assistant
FAR Beyond Licensed. Canine Aggression, Reactivity and Fear Specialist. 2011 – Current
PCT-A. Professional Canine Trainer — Accredited. Pet Professional Guild (PPG). 2015 – Current
VSPDT. Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training. 2010 – Current
AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. 2002 – 2016
AKC Community Canine Evaluator. 2013 – 2016
International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants. (IAABC) Member. 2010 – 2011
Pet First Aid for Cats and Dogs. American Red Cross
Class Assistant Trainer. San Diego Humane Society
Volunteer Council Representative. San Diego Humane Society
Shelter Trainee and Volunteer. 5-year Veteran, San Diego Humane Society
Basic First Aid, Zoonoses and Animal Diseases Certified. Project Wildlife
BEHAVIORAL ADVISING POSITIONS AND MEDIA📷
Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Manual. Author.
Pet Professionals Guild. Contributing Author, Professional Member, Speaker. 2012 – Current
Wolf Education Project. Behavior and Training Program Advisor. Julian, CA. 2013 – Current
Positive Pet Professionals of San Diego. Founder and Director: 2011 – 2016
Art for Barks. Advisory Board Member and Contributing Author. 2013 – 2016
U~T San Diego. Scratch ‘n Sniff Columnist. SD’s Countywide Newspaper. 2012 – 2013
Natural Awakenings Pet Magazine. Roving Pet Reporter Contributing Writer. 2011 – 2012
Rancho Santa Fe Review, Del Mar Times, Solana Beach Sun and Carmel Valley News. “You and Your Dog” Columnist. 2009 – 2010
Head Trainer and Behavioral Consultant. The Daily Pet, Del Mar Highlands. 2006 – 2007
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Pet Professional Guild Inaugural Summit Speaker. “Understanding Research: Making the Case for Force-Free Dog Training.” Conference 2015. Tampa FL
Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training First Annual Member Conference. “Science-Based Dog Trainers and Science: Research Counts.” Roundtable with Linda Michaels, MA and Victoria Stilwell. 2013. Atlanta, GA
Del Mar Solana Beach Rotary Club Speaker: Morgan Run Club & Resort, 2016📷
Hotel Indigo Del Mar, Bow Wow Brunch Speaker. “Dog Park and Dog Beach.” 2014. Del Mar, CA.
Hotel Indigo Del Mar, Bow Wow Brunch Speaker: “When and How to Train Your Dog!” 2014. Del Mar, CA
Point Loma Veterinary Clinic. Lunch and Learn Presentation to Staff. 2014. Point Loma, CA
Rancho Santa Fe Historical Society. McKenna Long & Aldridge, Mini Behavioral Consultations and Celebrity Judge. Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Pet Orphans of Southern California Shelter, “Top Ten Things to Teach Your Dog.” Van Nuys, CA
Veterinary Presentation, Lunch and Learn, VCA Animal Hospital. Encinitas, CA
PAWS Fiesta, Mini Behavioral Consultations. San Diego, CA
Annual Doggie Street Festival, Adoption Event. “Ask the Trainer” Professionals Booth. San Diego, CA
Cavalier Circle, “Positive Reinforcement and Top Ten Things to Teach Your Dog.” VCA Hospital, Sorrento Valley, CA
Strut Your Mutt, Best Friends Animal Society “Ask the Trainer”. Los Angeles, CA
Positive Pet Professionals of San Diego (PPPofSD), “Non-Aversive Training.” Encinitas, CA📷
Yorkie Lovers Meetup, La Jolla, CA
Westie Rescue of OC Benefit, Mini Behavioral Consultations. Huntington Beach, CA
Take Your Dog to Work Day, Seminar: “Positive Reinforcement and Your Dog.” Carmel Valley, CA
Three Dog Bakery Pet Store, “Ask the Trainer”. Del Mar, CA
Pupologie Pet Store, “Ask the Trainer”. Encinitas, CA
Babies by the Sea Boutique, “How to Keep Your Baby Safe and Your Dog Happy”. Cardiff By the Sea, CA
Muttropolis, Seminar: “Pesky Pooch Problems?” Solana Beach, CA
Saks Fifth Avenue, “Dog Days of Summer” Event, Dog Psychologist Behavioral Consultations. La Jolla, CA
