Cult of Dogs

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Cult of Dogs

Coaching for Dog People

06/12/2024

Dogs are great problem solvers, but sometimes we don’t like the solutions they come up with. From your dog’s perspective, pulling on a leash is a great way to get where you want to go faster, jumping on humans is a great way to get attention, barking and growling are a great way to make something scary go away. So how do we help our dogs solve problems in a way that we like? It depends on the dog, but a general training outline might look like:

1. Make sure your dog’s needs are met (exercise, health, safety, mental stimulation)
2. Prevent your dog from doing the un-wanted behavior
3. Teach new skills that help your dog solve their problem

05/25/2024

Client win! These boys had been in a few resource guarding related scuffles recently, one resulting in minor injuries. Their people were heartbroken over the idea that life would never be easy and carefree again. Recently I got the update that they were all able to watch a movie together on the couch as a family 🥹

We did very little “training” in this case. We focused on safety and management, understanding WHY this behavior happens, understanding subtle body language signs, and learning how to set boundaries and intervene appropriately.

Love these updates and so SO proud of my clients for the hard work they put in!

01/17/2024

I’m looking forward to getting back to training tomorrow! Thank you to all of my wonderful clients for your flexibility this week. Hope you’re all staying safe and warm and snuggled up with your pups out there!

12/13/2023

Holiday survival tips- no training required! Share with a stressed out dog person in your life 😅

I know it feels like a bummer when your dog can’t participate, but for some dogs, the right thing to do is keep them separate or leave them at home. There’s nothing wrong with that! You’re allowed to do fun things without your dogs.

12/13/2023

This handsome beast is Dax, a working line German Shepherd. What does working line mean, you ask? These dogs are selectively bred for traits that make them good at their job whether that be herding, hunting, police/military work, etc. Dogs bred mainly for family life or companionship often have slightly different temperaments than their working counterparts. One of the main differences is the amount of exercise and mental stimulation working line dogs need to also be successful as family companions. (Spoiler alert- it’s a lot).

Dax’s guardian is up for the challenge. They’re a great human/dog team! We’ve been working on fun ways to challenge him with new commands and adequate exercise in order to manage his arousal levels and decrease behaviors like leash pulling and reactivity.

11/30/2023

Let’s embrace life with dogs being a little bit messy and chaotic. Let’s get rid of the arbitrary rules we make up for ourselves and our dogs. And let’s stop giving a f*ck what other people think about our dogs and their behavior.

11/21/2023

I keep forgetting to post this!! I recently completed Michael Shikashio’s Aggression in Dogs Master Course. This is the go to course in the dog training profession for understanding and helping aggressive dogs.

Have a question about dog aggression? Drop it in the comments!!

11/16/2023

I spend a good amount of time during coaching sessions saying things like:
“Wow! A dog just passed and your dog saw it and did nothing. Reward that!”

“We’ve been talking for 45 seconds and your dog didn’t jump or attention bark. Reward that!”

“Your dog just disengaged from that exciting thing on his own. Reward that!”

Believe it or not, doing nothing IS a behavior than can and should be reinforced in many situations!

11/08/2023

Share if you love a growly dog 💛

A growl is
✅Communication
✅A request for space
✅A warning before escalating to a snap or bite

A growl is not
🚫A result of you being a bad leader
🚫Your dog trying to dominate
🚫Something that should be punished

What to do if your dog growls-
⭐️Take note of precisely what triggers the growl so that you can manage it in the future
⭐️Give your dog distance/space from the trigger
⭐️Watch for the body language that precedes the growl so that next time you can act before the growl happens
⭐️Get help from a pro to ensure this behavior does not escalate

10/31/2023

Do you know how to spot a stressed dog?

10/25/2023

I hope you are enjoying Spooky Season so far 🕸️ 🦇 👻 the (other) holidays are going to be here before we know it. So if you’ve been putting off training your dog- now is a good time to start!

You still have time to work on things like jumping on guests, counter surfing, leash walking, and nervousness about people coming over- issues that can be amplified during this time of year.

Send me a message or check out my website for info about how Cult of Dogs can help you make it through the holidays with your rowdy pup.

And please enjoy this throwback of the best bat gurl.

🎃👻🕷️

10/19/2023

These sweet girls just moved to Oregon all the way from Hawaii! They are working on jumping (they’ve got hops 😅) and loose leash walking.

By the end of our first session, mom was able to walk through the front door without getting jumped on. Go Sadie and Hannah!👏👏👏

10/13/2023

Not only is it ok- I usually recommend this when starting a leash reactivity training plan. Why?

1️⃣ Residential areas are TOUGH with a reactive dog because of the amount and the proximity of potential triggers. Exposing your dog to this repeatedly adds to their overall stress levels (and yours!)
2️⃣ More walks=more opportunities to react. When behaviors (like barking or lunging) are repeated frequently, they become stronger and harder to undo later.
3️⃣ Walks are not the only (or even the best) way to provide exercise and mental stimulation for your dog.

YOUR DOG STILL NEEDS EXERCISE AND ENRICHMENT! So if you remove walks, replace it with something else, like:
▫️Sniffspot trips
▫️Walk in a different, less busy area, like an open park
▫️Scent games
▫️Tug or flirt pole
▫️Play date with doggy friends

What if you HAVE to take your dog out into the neighborhood to go potty? This will take some creative management that’s specific to your area and your dog, but in general, shorten those outings as much as possible and supplement with other activities.

Remember- this is just one small part of a training plan. Do you think this could help your dog?

08/23/2023

Think you might need a trainer, but not sure where to start? Book a free phone consultation today! During the initial conversation we’ll talk about your goals, any behavioral issues you’re dog is exhibiting, and discuss whether we are a good fit for each other!

DM or visit my website to schedule a call ☎️

06/19/2023

Dogs bark
Dogs growl
Dogs chew
Dogs sniff
Dogs dig
Dogs chase
🐶🐶🐶

05/26/2023

I’m happy to announce that I am now offering separation anxiety training after completing over 20 hours of education in this field.

Separation anxiety training packages will be coming soon! In the meantime, if you are concerned your dog may be suffering from separation anxiety, you can reach out to schedule an assessment now!

I can’t wait to help some anxious bb’s feel better 🧡

05/16/2023

… yes, you can have both. But a trusting relationship HAS to come first. Share if you agree!

05/11/2023

Nothing like a sunbathe with your favorite alligator toy, amiright? Hope you all are enjoying the sunshine as much as we are☀️

05/06/2023

Ever wish you could could speak dog? Well you can! Dogs communicate with their bodies. They’re pretty much always telling us how they feel. When dogs aren’t heard, they have to get louder and louder, resorting to barking, growling, or biting. Do your dog a favor and learn to speak their language. Need help translating? Send me a message!

04/25/2023

It’s finally starting to feel like Spring! Does your dog need a leash walking refresher? 🦮

For a limited time, all leash walking lessons are only $89! Let’s get your pupper ready for summer adventures! 😎

04/15/2023

I highly recommend “Meet Your Dog” by Kim Brophy if you’re interested in learning more about this topic!

04/04/2023

Treat selection matters! This is one of the many ways in which Cult of Dogs customizes your dog’s training plan. 🦴

03/24/2023

I 🧡 reactive dogs.

02/22/2023

I think what I’m trying to say here is- every dog needs training?! And every dog owner should have the basic skills to understand their dog. That’s where I come in! I want to help you establish a common language between you and your dog in order to improve your dog’s wellbeing, but also yours! Because dog training is so much more than just teaching commands or having a “well behaved” dog.

Leave me a comment or send me a DM. I want to know what you and your dog currently need the most help with!

02/18/2023

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, so I haven’t been posting much! Please accept these embarrassing pictures of Rio as my apology. Side note- he just turned 2 😱 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! ☀️

02/08/2023

What do you need help with when it comes to walkies?! 🦮

01/30/2023

That’s all 🤗

01/28/2023

Happy Friday! 🌈💫🐾

01/19/2023

This absolute ANGEL is Murphy. 🐶 He and his sister Princess Buttercup are working on their habit of jumping on guests. If your pup also struggles with this, here are some things to keep in mind-

1. Think about what is reinforcing this behavior. Usually it’s attention. Are you or your guests giving the dog attention when they jump on you 🧐 This can be a tricky one, because for some dogs, ANY attention is rewarding, even saying NO and pushing them off.
2. Find a way to show your dog that there are easier and more effective ways to get attention other than jumping, like just standing there or sitting down.
3. Murphy and Buttercup’s training plan includes calm pets for 4 paws on the floor, and BIG pets for a sit or a down. Lots of “drive by snuggles” to capture and reward calm behavior when they’re chillin. Calmly ignore, stand up, walk away when jumps do happen.
4. Finally- get your guests on board! You have to teach your guests how to interact with your dog (this is the hard part). If your guests can’t follow your rules, they can’t interact with your dog!

01/17/2023

Treat to Repeat! Behaviors that are rewarded are more likely to be repeated in the future. So, reward your dog for the things you want them to keep doing. This could look like a whole lotta nothing! Here are some examples:
🐶 Your dog is calmly laying on their bed while you’re working- treat!
🐶 Your dog sees a jogger go by and doesn’t bark- treat!
🐶 A guest comes over and your dog doesn’t jump on them- treat!

A lot of times we focus on the “bad” or annoying behaviors because they’re more noticeable. But chances are your dog is doing good behaviors most of the time. Build up and reinforce those good behaviors!

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https://www.cultofdogs.com/

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Videos

Struggling with reactivity? Keep a close eye on your dog’s body language. What communication might you be missing from your dog? The earlier we intervene, the better we are able to prevent reactions from happening! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #dogtrainingtips #puppyadvice #puppies101 #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogadvice #dogadviceneeded #pnw #pnwdogs #dogsoforegon #dogsofeugene #dogmoms #dogdads #cultofdogs #dogreels #affordabledogtraining #virtualdogtraining #doglessons #dogclasses #eugeneoregon #springfieldoregon #dogreactivity #leashreactivity #reactivedog #dogbodylanguage

If you have 2 or more dogs, it’s a good idea to establish some treat taking etiquette if you plan on training them together. Allowing dogs to crowd or snatch up treats with another dog present can lead to conflict. Try this technique to help with calm behavior around food. If your dog is already exhibiting food aggression or resource guarding, it’s best to keep food out of the picture completely until you can work with a professional! Follow for more tips 🤓 . . . . . . . . . . #dogtrainingtips #puppyadvice #puppies101 #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogadvice #dogadviceneeded #pnw #pnwdogs #dogsoforegon #dogsofeugene #dogmoms #dogdads #cultofdogs #dogreels #affordabledogtraining #virtualdogtraining #doglessons #dogclasses #eugeneoregon #springfieldoregon

Keeping our cool when guests come over! This is our routine anytime someone comes through the front door, myself included! Does your dog need help keeping their cool when friends come over? Let me know! . . . . . . . . #dogtrainingtips #puppyadvice #puppies101 #dogtraining101 #dogtraining #dogadvice #dogadviceneeded #pnw #pnwdogs #dogsoforegon #dogsofeugene #dogmoms #dogdads #cultofdogs #dogreels #affordabledogtraining #virtualdogtraining #doglessons #dogclasses #eugeneoregon #springfieldoregon

We were working on a new trick tonight and it got really silly, really fast 😂 I love teaching tricks because it’s low stakes. Meaning it’s ok if your technique is a little sloppy and you only practice occasionally. It’s a great way to bond with your dog, and get some laughs while you’re at it. Don’t forget to be stupid with your dog today 🧡💛🤍 Oh btw, the trick is supposed to be beginning steps of Snoot! Maybe someday we’ll have a finished product 😅 . . . . . . . . . #dogtrickfails #dogtrainingfails #funnyfails #dogtraining #dogtraining101 #dogadvice #dogadviceneeded #doglover #dogsofinstagram #dogmom #dogsofeugene #dogenrichment #dogtricks #snoot #pnwdogs #dogsoforegon #virtualdogtraining #dogcoaching #oregonlife