Laurie Tuttle Dog Training

03/20/2024

Hi everyone I have these English bulldog Puppies available,they are 7weeks old now and just received their first set of vaccines and immune system boosters,will come UTD on vaccines,deworming and have their first shots,Dm If interested!!! 600 dollar each

08/15/2023

"The Canine Behavior Files"
Case #003 Dianna and Tuck

While Tuck is just a puppy, he is a handful!!
Bless Dianna for being so patient with him!
When I first saw him, he could jump on the kitchen table in one fell swoop! He is a very smart, impulsive, demanding, and high drive dog that needed structure and things to keep him busy.
This is not a puppy for puppy class, at least not in the beginning. He was already doing very advanced naughty things for his young age. Thankfully we got most of the owners concerns addressed.
He is taking a break from training to recover from his neuter.
My recommendation for the future is to further his learning by taking group classes and possibly doing dog sports with him.
Good luck guys and I'm here if you need me!
I love this boy! So fun to work with!

08/15/2023

Second snap shot of "The Canine Behavior Case Files"
Case #002 Kelly and Casey
I will put a few of these out this week, since I am way behind.
Remember this only a Snap shot into their training journey. They put a lot of work in behind the scenes to get where they are and some continue to work with their dog after working with me.

08/14/2023

08/14/2023

🤣

08/13/2023

This is a repost from a few months ago....... but I know some people will find this very helpful, and we have a lot more followers than we did 3 months ago when this was last posted.
This is just a very general guide to helping nervous dogs to relax around others.
Having strangers in a home (or outside in yard) can be very confronting for nervous dogs. They don't understand why this person has suddenly appeared and the visitor may also be nervous ......which their dog will absolutely pick up on.
The quickest way to get dogs to relax around people is to ignore them.
Eye contact for many nervous dogs is extremely threatening.
I like to use my peripheral vision and may give a small glance or two.
Please note this is for adults...children are a whole different area that requires extra caution.
If you feel in anyway uncomfortable doing this.....stop and walk away. Nervous tension will only work against what is trying to be achieved.
If any aggression has ever been indicated by the guardian/owner please don't attempt this, it is best to seek help.

Body language is key to all of this. There is no rush and it can take many visits for some dogs to feel comfortable.....and if you have a nervous dog and someone doesn't feel comfortable enough to attempt this...respect that....it wouldn't make anyone at ease.

08/13/2023

💯 😯

08/11/2023

Don't take your dog's good behavior for granted. Notice it, praise it, reward it and reinforce it.

Look at your dog right now? I bet they're being a GOOD DOG! Let them know you like what they're doing.

Don't wait until your dog misbehaves to pay attention to them.

Join the Top Dog Academy now with a 1-Month Free Trial and get access to ALL of our online courses PLUS over three weeks of personalized support from the Dunbars, for FREE:
https://dunbar.info/august2023

Whether you are trying to resolve a behavior problem, improve your relationship with your dog, take their training to the next level, or promote and grow your own dog-related business, the Top Dog Academy has something to offer all dog lovers!

08/07/2023

This one is always a bit controversial for some....It is a repost from several months ago.
Socialisation.
Play is NOT socialisation. Play is a separate and important skill.....but it isn't socialisation.
What is socialisation ?..... Calmness and acceptance.
What it isn't......over excited, scared, hyper, wary behaviour or PLAY.

I know that seems like a big statement to make for some people but society has some strange ideas of what socialisation is.

That doesn't mean dogs and puppies shouldn't play, it simply means one of the FIRST things they need to learn in life is be calm and accepting of dogs in general....then play can be added as a separate skill.

Calmness and acceptance IS socialisation.
Play is play.
Two completely separate things.

Dogs and puppies are a very small part of having a socialised dog. An important small part... but a very small part in a much bigger picture.
The word socialisation seems to be associated with play and that is a big issue with new puppy guardians/owners.

How you let other dogs meet yours and how your dog meets other dogs forms patterns of behaviour.
The more these dogs have over excited, over aroused and hyper behaviour around other dogs...........the more they understand this IS exactly how to meet dogs....and that is really problematic for many dogs.

True socialisation is acceptance and calmness in ALL the world has to offer.
Everything you encounter in everyday life...is exactly what you need to expose your dogs to.

Little and often
Positively and calmly......and you are well on your way to a well socialised puppy or dog.

One of the best lessons you can teach your puppy or dog is they do NOT need to interact with others.
They don't need to go to that hyper excited behaviour when other dogs are near.

They can be calm, assess the situation and choose to play and interact if they wish.....

That is true socialisation.

08/05/2023

Recall (having your dog come to you when called). Recall is one of those cues in training that depends heavily on your relationship together.
However there are other things we can inadvertently do which damage a good recall and we often don't even realise we do this.
One of the advantages of having an In Home trainer.......we see all those little things that make SUCH a big difference.

Calling your dog to you when you are about to do something unpleasant to them (or they view as could be a negative experience)....even for the best of intentions....can poison recalls.
Calling them to their dreaded bath.
You know they dislike having their nails cut, but they are called to you.....usually ignoring your calls and then finally skulking slowly forward... with their head down low.
Calling them to you when you have the ear drops in your hand.

They will start to make associations with recall and what you actually want them for.

The opposite (calling away from fun and positive experiences) is also true.
Constantly calling your dog away from fun and positive experiences is a recall destroyer.
One of the biggest destroyers of a recall is calling them to you and clipping their lead straight on and leaving the fun area.....have a play with them first, clip on the lead and continue to have fun for a few minutes. This is a little thing that turns that negative association into a really positive one..

So DON"T call them when they may view what you are wanting (or importantly needing to do)....go and get them.

If you need to groom, please take the time and look into cooperative care, it makes SUCH a difference.
Recently I worked with a Pitbull that was in a desperate situation with their claws.
No-one would do them, not their veterinary clinic, no groomer...no-one...even with a muzzle.

It took 2 half hour sessions with some very easy steps that the motivated guardians did a few times a day for a minute or two.......The result.
Claws done....with no muzzle......and NO stress.
A pleasant experience for everyone.

One of the other issues we picked up on was he was called to them for everything , including being called away from positive/fun experiences and for what he may view as negative.....and it certainly affected their recall too. The recall was about 30 %.

So if your recall is more miss than hit....look at when you actually call them too you and why.
If you change little habits you can make some very big differences.

#

08/04/2023

Yes! So much this!!

Dogs and children share several similarities in how they learn and develop. Their growth into confident individuals largely depends on the learning environment and the methods employed, which is where kindness plays an essential role.

Learning Through Play: Both dogs and children learn a great deal through play. It's during play that they explore their surroundings, learn social cues, and understand boundaries. Play also stimulates their curiosity and encourages problem-solving.

Social Learning: Both children and dogs observe and learn from others' actions in their social group. A child might mimic their parents' behaviours, while a dog might copy what an older dog does. This observational learning shapes their understanding of acceptable behaviours.

Reward-Based Learning: This is a key element in the learning process for both dogs and children. They are more likely to repeat a behaviour if it leads to a positive outcome. For instance, a child will clean up their toys if they receive praise, and a dog will learn a new response if rewarded repeatedly for it.

Consistency and Routine: Children and dogs thrive on routine and consistency. It gives them a sense of security, helps them understand what's expected, and makes the learning process easier.

So, how does kindness tie into all this?

Well, learning is a gradual process. It involves making mistakes and learning from them. When children or dogs are treated with kindness and understanding during this process, it promotes trust and a sense of safety. This nurturing environment fosters their confidence, encourages them to try new things, and promotes overall emotional wellbeing.

In contrast, a harsh or punitive environment may create fear or anxiety, hampering their ability to learn effectively and grow into confident individuals. Remember, patience, understanding, and kindness are the pillars of effective learning and the foundation for nurturing a confident, well-adjusted child or dog.

Want to learn more - comment what you need below.

08/04/2023

While this is super funny also proves a point made by dog trainers...

Don’t touch a sleeping or dreaming dog!
Dogs get startled and CAN bite thinking you are that rabid rabbit 🐇 out to get them!

🌹💀🌹

08/04/2023

This is important for every dog owner!

Healthy play is a joy to watch....however what we may believe is healthy play is anything but. Another issue is the dogs are playing really well together and then "BAM" one or both of the dogs have snapped at each other....or worse an actual fight has occurred.
Time is just not a good indication of healthy play.

There is an issue with extended play causing issues due to over arousal and being unable to have those VERY important breaks....but even a minute or two of play can cause fights if signals aren't respected.

Breaks and mini breaks are SO important....and if your dogs don't break naturally then you need to make sure they separate to have those healthy breaks.

Play can TURN.
Play turns and morphs into everything and anything else but play....This can happen when dogs become over aroused and play can be very over arousing.

The inability of dogs being able to read other dogs signals is also a big cause of fighting when "playing".

If you see either dog doing anything else BUT playing and the other dog is still insisting in playing.....you need to intervene.
They can be suddenly very interested in a stick on the ground.
Turning away from the action.
Heading in your direction.
Yawning, scratching or licking their paws....

These can be signals given to take a break.

The next signal to take a break could be a fight.....so these signals NEED to be respected.

More play info in comments.

08/02/2023

08/02/2023

Fear is the easiest things to condition in dogs and the hardest to resolve. Fear can come from many places, many of which we don't control. This infographic is my most downloaded and shared resource. Download your copy here: http://rescuedbytraining.com/fear-in-dogs-infographic/
and for a deep dive into each of these, read the accompanying Fear In Dogs blog series here: https://rescuedbytraining.com/tag/fear-in-dogs-series/

08/02/2023

DON’T FORCE ME TO BE SOCIAL!
Do we like everyone we meet? Do we all enjoy socialising and spending time with lots of different people? I certainly don’t and refer to myself as a “caninetrovert” – a person that much prefers to spend time with dogs rather than people. Maybe I’m a little different to the “norm”, but be that as it may, we are all individuals with different personality styles and social preferences.

Some of us are extroverts, gaining energy from interacting with people; some of us introverts, who find people draining and need alone time to recharge our social batteries and some of us are somewhere in between.

If we acknowledge that we are all different in this way, we also need to acknowledge and accept that our dogs are similar.

They could be overly affectionate or fiercely independent, approachable or nervous, energetic or laid back, confident or cautious, sociable, tolerant, selective or reactive.

We may be really disappointed when our dogs turn out not to be the socialite we expected them to be.

Some may even see this as a behaviour problem that needs to be “fixed”. Sometimes it can be improved, especially if the cause is from a negative experience, but genetics, breed tendencies, individual personalities, health and age all contribute to tolerance levels and sociability.

Accept your dog for who they are, allow them to choose whether they want to be sociable or not, respect their choices and never force an interaction that your dog is not comfortable with.

08/02/2023

I wrote this because it is something I see with many newly adopted dogs. What rescued/adopted dogs need more than anything is calm. You will never regret taking it slow.
You have a chance to completely change a dogs life, you also have a chance to make a positive difference in many of the behaviours some dogs are rehomed for in the first place.

You will get to the cafe's
You will be able to go to the beach

However....the MOST important thing you can give your newly adopted dog is calm and predictability in their new home and immediate local environment.

You know the noise on the street at 3.25 is a school bus.
Your dog may have never heard the noises a bus can make.
You know that dinner is prepared for the family at 5.30 and that is a time of gathering together, talking and clanging of pots and pans....even that can be overwhelming for a newly adopted dog.

They will be extremely aware of all the little things we take for granted in our own environment.

Take it slow.....build the trust.

Build a lifetime of happiness together.....slowly.

07/31/2023

07/29/2023

Self soothing....sometimes not as helpful as it may sound.
When does self soothing become obsessive ?
Simply put....when it becomes excessive. What excessive means from one dog to another may be completely different.

Every dog is individual.

Mouths are used in many (but not all) self soothing behaviours. Self soothing can be an attempt to reduce anxiety....and it works for many dogs.

However....there is a point where this can begin to turn and become damaging.

Licking paws.
Dogs that continually lick paws until they are red, inflamed or raw need help. Veterinary help must always be sought FIRST before behavioural reasons are looked into. While you may be convinced it is just a "habit" that habit has lead to chronic dermatitis, a yeast infection or maybe that compulsive licking and nibbling at paws is actually from a grass seed and is now infected and is scouring its way internally up your dogs leg.

Nibbling/sucking bedding.
You may have a dog that suckles or nibbles their blanket...maybe there are some "cookie cutter" mysterious holes in the blanket....your dog has likely ingested the material. Teeth rubbing continually against textured fabric can cause big dental issues.

Biting/chewing objects.
This is something that very few people see as an issue, as dogs chew. If your dog is spending a long time chewing a toy and does this at various times during the day....observe them, there could be a pattern of seeking comfort after something they found stressful. We may not see the preceding event as stressful...but your dog did. There could very easily be a pattern.
Your dogs teeth may be becoming blunt and worn away from continually chewing....they may then feel they need to chew more as they now have pain in their mouth.

Nibbling/biting themselves.
This often looks like something is annoying them, they may nibble or chew holes in their own body, tails can be a target too. Your dog can actually start to nibble off their own tail, it may get shorter and shorter and you may start to see destructive biting on what was once a healthy tail.

Have you come home and your dog has chewed a piece of furniture or a door?....there is a reason for this behaviour....
Instead of looking at your dog as "naughty" or "bad" perhaps your dog was highly anxious when you left and attempted to self soothe.

Some dogs that are destructive have underlying high level anxiety issues. They are attempting to feel better the only way they can in that moment.

Self soothing behaviours are fine...your dog has managed to figure out how to calm themselves and feel better emotionally.
BUT..... there is a point when they are far more damaging than we think.

Self soothing behaviours can turn to become the opposite of what they were first started for and can actually cause stress and anxiety.

Vet check first, then you can look into behaviour modification.

07/29/2023

Truly dominant behaviour between dogs is barely noticeable to the untrained human eye, it just takes the form of a quiet confidence. It's also generally about resources. So If your dog is pulling, lunging and barking - they are most likely trying to maintain their own safe space.

Learn more with the Canine Principles Canine Anxiety Certificate. https://www.canineprinciples.com/course/canine-anxiety-certificate-course

07/27/2023

It's a simple saying - but it's true. Setting your dog up to make the right decision the obvious choice helps him learn what you want faster and more completely than the other options.

07/27/2023

KONG Day is coming! Join us on Friday, August 4th for a day of KONG-related FUN!

07/27/2023

We can only hope...

07/26/2023

Rewarding behaviour.....it is very easy to get it "wrong". This is often when people may state...
"I used treats, they didn't work".....and you will be absolutely correct....they won't if there are issues with the most critical part of rewarding behaviour....timing.
There needs to be a connection made with the reward and the behaviour you are wanting.
If you have to stand up, go to the cupboard and get a small treat or search behind the couch for their favourite toy to reward....the moment is gone......the connection is lost.

Rewarding behaviour doesn't need to be food...however food is a very powerful reward for dogs.

If your dog isn't interested in a reward, there may be other issues involved.

🔵They are nervous/anxious/stressed, or overstimulated by the environment. This is a VERY common reason.
🔵They may be very picky or have a preference for certain types of treats.
🔵They are not hungry or are full from their regular meals. Their meals may be too close to the training you are doing.
🔵They have a medical problem that affects appetite or causes pain.

If your dog is not taking treats, you may want to consult your veterinary professional to rule out any health issues. You may also want to trial different kinds of treats or adjust your dog’s meal schedule.
A very small amount of dogs prefer verbal praise.....or a reward of a favourite toy....There will be something your dogs values.

Treats are certainly not made equal, and people often choose the biggest packet and cheapest.....and they often taste like cardboard.
Kibble can be ok to use sometimes as a treat....but if you really want to speed your training up, use a tasty treat......and a softer one.

Keep your super tasty treats as the higher value treats.
Often we use soft, small and tasty treats when loose lead walking and for reactive dogs something really yummy when they calmly view a trigger (dog, person, truck etc). Small pieces of cooked meat, raw meat or the same tasty treats with half a teaspoon of tasty cheese smooshed in.

The most important thing with using any reward is timing.
If you are making no progress, consider the timing of the reward.

Timing is key.

07/26/2023

For any of my students needing separation anxiety help. This a GREAT online class resource by someone who specializes in separation anxiety!
The price is really great too!
I may take her next class myself to sharpen my skills.

*Enroll by August 1* In our next LIVE virtual class, Saying Goodbye to Separation Anxiety with Terrie Hayward, you’ll learn how to help your dog gain the necessary skills and confidence needed to be comfortable with being alone while building your own peace of mind that your dog will be safe when you leave home.

Classes will be on Zoom, with a coordinated video-based curriculum that guides you each week and an online discussion group for sharing progress and feedback.

Enroll by August 1: https://shorturl.at/cuJT6