Elizabeth Ingalls Dog Behavior and Training

11/15/2024

Are we asking the wrong questions when it comes to dogs?
Join me to watch "The Dog's Truth"

🗓️ Premiere Date: November 17th
⏰ Time: 7 PM EDT
📍 Where: YouTube

This isn’t just a video; it’s a movement. The L.E.G.S.® approach is revolutionizing how we see and support dogs, shifting the focus from “what can dogs do for us?” to “what do dogs need to thrive?” This engaging, accessible video distills the core concepts of Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self into a must-watch experience for everyone who loves or works with dogs.

➡ Learn how to reframe “behavior problems” as natural responses to unmet needs.
➡ Discover how this science-backed model integrates seamlessly into every canine profession and home with a dog.

https://youtu.be/b9C_XRcbI_Q?si=8_ahnp3JQPrMPlO9

Note- Sunday is the premiere- but you can watch (for free!) anytime after that.

FULL PRO COURSE!https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/courses/legs-applied-ethology-family-dog-mediation-professional-courseYOUR DOG is not broken, and...

10/25/2024

LET THEM SNIFF!!!
If you do one thing with your dog today, let it be that you give them time to explore the world at their pace. Its how they experience the world. It’s how they regulate.

Darwin is nearing 14 so he’s no longer going for long walks, but he still gets out into the world and gets to explore. Whether your dog is young or old, healthy or ailing, perfectly well behaved or struggles with behavior, the one thing you can to help is find somewhere they’re comfortable and let them sniff.

Let go of the bs that you’ve been sold that a good dog walk means the dog is walking at a heel & ignoring the world. It might feel like a good walk for you, but your dog is missing out on so much. We control almost every choice and aspect of our dog’s lives- give them back their walk. It might surprise you in how much joy you can find in slowing down yourself too 🐾💕

10/20/2024

Thank you to everyone who has donated to help the pets of Taylor County get the food they need. Between donations and the Amazon wish list we were able to 2800 lbs (that's almost a ton and 1/2) of dog, cat and chicken food!!!! Y'all are amazing.

The coastline of Taylor County, FL was absolutely decimated by Hurricane Helene. When I say that people lost everything, I mean it. Basic needs are a challenge, due to lack of power, water etc- but even with those available- most of the homes have been destroyed so even as utilities are being restored there is no where for them to go :(

You can still donate or purchase items via the wish list here https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TJJLNT79L1C6?ref_=wl_share

10/11/2024

One of my clients was the "Patient of the Month" at Suffield Veterinary Hospital. This sweet boy struggled with his wellness in the health and emotional wellness department- and it took a team to get him to where he is today.

If your dog is struggling, help is available! Behavior Consultants, Vets, and Specialists are all willing to work together so your dog can live their best life possible.

PS Carlisle's mom, Molly is amazing! You can read her story below- which also has some tips about how to choose a dog breeder.

Meet Carlisle, a 3-year-old American Bully owned by Suffield Vet Technician Molly. Molly shares her story of Carlisle, their “beloved, genetic disaster”:

We purchased Carlisle when he was 16 weeks old from a breeder who neglected to perform proper health clearances or temperament testing on their dogs prior to breeding. These dogs were outwardly beautiful, UKC registered, and came with a large price, which implies quality, right? We fell in love with Carlisle blindly because of his cute face and sweet/shy personality.

When Carlisle came home, it was apparent he was terrified of the world. Noises made him pancake to the floor and it took him weeks to even try the stairs. We enrolled him in puppy classes immediately to help socialize and train him. He flunked out after 2 weeks because he refused to get out of the car and would bark at approaching people/dogs. We then enlisted a phenomenal behavioral trainer, Elizabeth Ingalls, who had us implement and practice very helpful training and management protocols daily. We consulted a Veterinarian who specializes in canine behavior and behavior modification medications. Our own Dr. Emilie Laston has taken a special interest in canine behavior and has advanced her knowledge on the topic in order to help her patients even more. Dr. Laston now continues Carlisle’s medication management and tailors his doses based on his needs.

On top of Carlisle’s fear, he is also an orthopedic mess. In his 3 years of life he has had countless sedated exams, radiographs, lab testing, CT scans, and specialty veterinarian consults to address his congenital orthopedic issues. Carlisle has had a multitude of treatments (including surgery) to aid in his comfort and mobility including joint supplements, advanced nutraceuticals, prescription diets, strong pain medication, cold laser treatments (hence the goggles in this photo), etc.

We have invested tens of thousands of dollars and endless hours and energy to get Carlisle to the point he is at today — a cuddly, active 3-year-old dog. We love him greatly but I would be lying if I didn’t say he is A LOT of work. In our family, when we commit to an animal, it is for life.

As much as we love Carlisle, I want his story to be a lesson for people who are eager to get a puppy without prior health clearances and temperament testing. Even more so the importance of early socialization, training, canine enrichment, household management, proper veterinary care, planning for the financial burden, and the commitment to the animals we acquire. My family is beyond grateful for all of my veterinary colleagues who have invested time and energy to make sure Carlisle has a wonderful life.

For being a prime example for not only making sure to have owners physically and socially pre-screen any pet they are considering purchasing or adopting, but for showing how dedication to the health and training of a genetically and psychologically disadvantaged pet can result in the best possible outcome, we are happy to name Carlisle our October 2024 patient of the month.

10/06/2024

90% of the homes and businesses in our coastal community in FL are gone. They can't be repaired or salvaged- they have been completely destroyed by Hurricane Helene. The last week has been gut wrenching to see friends and neighbors attempting to salvage what they can. At this point, the main focus is on food, water, shelter etc, and that includes pets.

To everyone who asks "how can I help?". Here is one way. Let's make sure that peoples animals stay are taken care of and can stay with their people. All donations will be sent directly to the local area to ensure the communities such as Keaton Beach, Cedar Island, etc in Taylor County, FL. I've created an Amazon wish list that you can send items directly or you can donate and I'll make bulk purchases to send every few days (depending on what comes in).

It's hard for me to articulate the heartbreak I'm feeling. Seeing small blips on the news doesn't even begin to convey the absolute destruction that people are dealing with. From FL to VA. Homes, roads, land, business- NO LONGER EXIST. Over the weeks and months to come- our fellow Americans will need our continued support.

As the late Fred Rogers said "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” This is my small way to be a helper. Thank you.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2TJJLNT79L1C6?ref_=wl_share

09/06/2024

Sooo many humans are bamboozled when their dog becomes a “teenager”. I often share with my clients that I believe that adolescence is much more difficult than puppyhood. Puppyhood naughtiness is softened by their cuteness and the expectation that things will be a bit chaotic. By the time some dogs hit adolescence, they look like adults and we humans expect them to behave like adults. They’re not- this is the time to take a deep breath, give them grace and help them.

If you have a teenage dog- it won’t last forever. I promise ;)

Adolescence occurs between six months and 18 months of age—a time when guardians typically struggle the most with their dogs. Some guardians are so overwhelmed and underprepared for this developmental stage of their dog’s life, they choose to surrender the dog to a local shelter or rescue group. In a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science found that the majority of the surrendered dogs (47.7 percent) ) were between 5 months and 3 years of age (M.D. Salman,John G. New, Jr.,Janet M. Scarlett,Philip H. Kass,Rebecca Ruch-Gallie &Suzanne Hetts, 2010)

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

During canine adolescence, changing s*x hormones effect the animals stress responses. Adolescent dogs have a decreased ability to process information they are receiving from the environment including the presence of dogs, vehicles, people, or really anything around them. They behave in ways that might feel frustrating or upsetting for the dog’s person.

The connectivity between the frontal cortex (responsible for decision making) and amygdala (responsible for emotional processing) decreases, resulting in less behavioral control. We see increased risk taking and more sensitivity to fear.

So what does this mean? This could mean that what was once no big deal to the dog now feels scary; what was once easy to do is now stressful; what once made sense is now confusing. At times, the world can feel like ‘too much’ for the adolescent dog.

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, our own frustration and impatience can cause us to act unpredictably. This adds to our puppy’s inner turmoil. When the inside and the outside are both unpredictable it can be difficult for our dogs to adjust.

If you have an adolescent dog, what can you do? You can give your dog the time and space to observe what is going on around them when on leash at a distance away from the activity when possible. You can give your dog long walks to sniff and explore in nature, giving their brain time to decompress. You can offer your dog a quiet space to sleep so that they can consolidate memories effectively. You can continue training various skills, breaking them down into easier steps that can be generously reinforced.

By understanding what our adolescent dog is experiencing we gain greater compassion and understanding. When we approach adolescence with patience we create a world that is predictable and gentle so our puppies grow up to be their best adult selves.

07/23/2024

I was delighted to be a guest on the Bitey End of the Dog podcast. Take a listen to learn more about living with Livestock Guardian Dogs. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to talk about what I’m passionate about.

LGD breed’s are absolutely wonderful BUT so many people don’t realize that living with one successfully means learning to be their partner not their master. These dogs have thousands of years of traits being selected for that can’t *and shouldn’t* be trained out- but embraced and accepted. Are the cute and fluffy? Yes. But they’re also powerful guardians that bark, dig, and make choices that might not always align with your preferences. These dogs need people to understand their needs and help them be successful- even when they mature from adorable fluffball to mature guardian. You can find the episode wherever you listen to podcasts 🐾

07/12/2024

Great Pyrenees puppy on the run

06/28/2024

There’s still time to join us! And if you can join you can still donate and the recording will be emailed to you later :)

New to the breed or want to learn more?

I'll be offering a 90 minute webinar called Great Pyrenees: The basics on 6/28 at 7:00 PM EST.

The cost will be $10 and all proceeds will go to National Great Pyrenees Rescue.

I'll present for 45-60 minutes and will save the remainder of the time for a Q&A. If you can't attended live, you can still purchase and a recording will be available for view after the event.

When: Jun 28, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Great Pyrenees: The basics
Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DqeUtsIASkOtdWmuxbfZkQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

06/25/2024

New to the breed or want to learn more?

I'll be offering a 90 minute webinar called Great Pyrenees: The basics on 6/28 at 7:00 PM EST.

The cost will be $10 and all proceeds will go to National Great Pyrenees Rescue.

I'll present for 45-60 minutes and will save the remainder of the time for a Q&A. If you can't attended live, you can still purchase and a recording will be available for view after the event.

When: Jun 28, 2024 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Great Pyrenees: The basics
Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DqeUtsIASkOtdWmuxbfZkQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

06/22/2024

Puppies!!! So many people except so much of their puppies and forget- they’re brand new to this world! You’ve got a lifetime to work on basic obedience but only a short time to socalize, create patterns that last a lifetime and develop a relationship.

Take the time to focus these things and I promise it’ll be worth it- no matter what breed of puppy.

And for anyone wanting to adopt a Great Pyrenees (of any age) head over to the wonderful folks National Great Pyrenees Rescue . They’re out there everyday, making life better for one dog at a time 🐾

06/20/2024

Partnering with National Great Pyrenees Rescue to talk about some common struggles Pyrenees Puppy Parents might encounter.

Remember that with ANY breed- approach challenges with curiosity. Think of how you can partner with your dog to help them be successful for a lifetime.

In today's post we are honored to partner with Elizabeth Ingalls, a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with extensive experience working with Great Pyrenees and who also understands their unique guardian personalities and motivations.

A Pyr puppy can exhibit challenging behaviors at any point but as they start to approach maturity (the teenage years) previously unseen problems can occur. With a Pyr it's important to approach any concerns with curiosity instead of judgement as this can make all the difference in the world.

For example say a puppy starts to resource guard their food. Instead of trying to just stop the behavior we need to get curious about it. Why was he guarding? When was he guarding? What was he trying to accomplish or communicate? What about it was reinforcing this behavior to him?

This allows us to formulate a plan that answers all of these questions and starts changing lots of little things. What are some alternative ways he could have his food? What can we reinforce other than growling? What alternatives can we teach him in place of this behavior? How is he feeling about certain things and how can we make him feel safer/more secure?

Working with Pyrs should be more than stopping a behavior. Our reinforcement of a behavior will drive that behavior. If the outcome is worth it, they’ll keep doing it. Remember it’s from their perspective, not yours. If we approach with curiosity it allows us to see the whole picture and help your Pyr build the skills that they need for the rest of your lives together!

You can contact Elizabeth by email at [email protected] or visit her website at www.elizabethingalls.com

Tomorrows post will talk about Puppy Tips for Early Training Success.

06/18/2024

If your dog is terrified of fireworks, don't let them suffer. Relief is available and the best thing you can do is partner with your trusted vet.

Now is the time to make that call or appointment, don't wait until July 3rd and risk not being able to be seen. Be the hero and prevent the panic

06/06/2024

“If we claim to truly care for dogs, why are we looking to dominate and harm them? It baffles me that after all these years, we haven’t learned to live with, respect, and care for dogs in ways that are respectful to both the dogs and the humans,” says Ingalls.

I was asked to answer some questions about Cesar Milan- and if you know me at all, you’ll know I fall into the ‘not everyone is happy about it’ camp. Behavior professionals around the world lament the methods he’s promoted and there are several well known and well respected professionals in here who talk about why.

We need to do better than promoting abuse as training and entertainment.

Cesar Millan’s influence on dog training is undeniable, marking two decades of shaping public perceptions and practices. But not everyone is celebrating.

06/02/2024

Did you know that the dog training industry isn’t regulated 🤦🏼‍♀️ so anyone can call themselves just about anything they’d like.

Here is the US there are some commonly accepted terms amongst professionals used, and I wanted to share this with y’all.

-Behaviorist - this refers specifically to an individual with an advanced degree (DVM or PhD usually) in animal behavior. board certified. You’ll often see them referred to as veterinary behaviorists or certified applied animal behaviorist.

-Behavior Consultant- a professional who focus on working with dogs with behavioral issues. Credentialed through 3rd party requiring education and testing.

-Dog Trainer- trains dogs in a variety of settings from puppy classes to sports.

When hiring a professional- there are a myriad of qualifications. The article below does an excellent job of explaining. But if a proposed professional doesn’t use or know commonly accepted titles in the dog training and behavior world, that’s a 🚩

And you might be asking “Elizabeth, why does this matter?” If you’re paying money and trusting a professional to work with your dog, you want to be sure that they have experience and education to be able to affect positive change in your dog’s life.

Having dogs your whole life does not make you an expert. I’ve had teeth for almost my entire life- yet that does not make me a dentist.

Find out what those letters behind a dog trainer or canine behavior consultant name actually mean so you are better prepared to hire a dog trainer.

05/25/2024

Approaching a concern with your dog with curiosity instead of judgement can make all the difference in the world. This little dude likes to "yell" at him mom whenever he wants something.

Instead of trying to just stop the behavior we got curious.
Why was he barking?
When was he barking?
What was he trying to accomplish or communicate?
What about it was reinforcing to him?

This allowed us to formulate a plan that answered all of these questions and started changing lots of little things.

What were some alternative ways he could ask for something?
What could we reinforce other than barking?
What alternatives could we teach him in place of the behavior?
How was he feeling about certain things and how could we make him feel safer/more secure?

Working with dogs should be more than stopping a behavior. If we approach with curiosity it allows us to see the whole picture and help the dog build the skills that they need.

03/27/2024

How we spent the wee hours of the morning ⚡️⛈️

Check out Elizabeth Ingalls CDBC, L-FDM’s video.