The Right Steps

09/21/2024

09/21/2024

🤣🤣😂😂😭😭 - Part 2....

https://fb.watch/uKKChW-lII/

09/21/2024

Thanks to my awesome Friends & Clients who got me this great shirt!

Brought a smile & a laugh to my week! 😊 😂 Please know it's greatly appreciated.🌹

Morgan & Cooper will appreciate it too! 😁

09/20/2024

Our dogs recall quickly, shed enthusiastically, outrun eagerly, turnback positively and try harder than most, for one simple reason, they want to—
You can't force or bully a dog into wanting to try for you,
especially when conditions are hot or the task difficult; you have to earn it.
Key to this is helping him enjoy aspects of training he finds difficult; it’s an integral part of gaining trust .

Your dog recognizes situations that make him feel uncomfortable. When you help overcome that discomfort and turn it into something he enjoys,
he connects the positive feeling comes from working with you.
It elevates your connection and empowers your bond, growing confidence both in himself and you.
You’ll need to also be fair, consistent and teach in a way your dog understands.
It’s your responsibility to communicate clearly; it’s not your dog’s burden to interpret accurately.
The more unambiguous and intuitive your method, the less room for misinterpretation.
You empower your dog’s development by setting him up to succeed and this includes keeping reasonable expectations of gradual improvement.
Training should never be about ego or an agenda to compete in X trial.
Success at competition is the knock on effect of good training.

A dog’s ‘try’ is ultimately a reflection of his desire and enjoyment. There are different methods that are successful but there’s a big difference between training in a way that makes sense to your dog that he enjoys
versus only drilling or imposing your will. The latter doesn’t result in your dog giving you his heart—
You can just train or you can partner.
macraeway.com

09/20/2024

Jumping❓
Barking💥
and just can't stop ‼️
I think every dog trainer out there knows this works.✅
We have just uploaded a video on how to start this process, as even though it sounds easy, there are real mistakes people make.

The link is in the comments 🙂

09/20/2024

🤣🤣😂😂😭😭

09/18/2024

This can be a reason some people say a reaction was "Out of the blue" 💥
Anxious dog, reactive or stressed ❓
This needs to be taken into consideration as it can be affecting your dog.✅
This can be a contributing factor to a reaction to something (or someone) your dog has always been ok with before ...now suddenly something has changed.

If your dog is normally ok with cyclists going past them but today they maybe barked and lunged at a cyclist going past.
Did you notice the neighbours dog barking a few minutes before the cyclist?
Before that did you notice the gate slammed shut and your dog got a little spooked ?

Did you know they can actually be connected ?

Your dog does and individually these wouldn't be an issue but in a short space of time (or for some even longer) your dog has had their stress levels rise and and then "💥💥💥" your dog has a reaction to something they may have always been ok with.

Its not the end trigger that started this.
This started with the gate.

All we may "see" is the reaction to the cyclist but the whole chain of events started with the gate....this is trigger stacking.

Recognising this helps with everything !

Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make. Everyone is free to share on social media🙂, however off social media use of these marked graphics is prohibited.
Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters or for personal use.
Screen shots are a violation of the copyright.
Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for unmarked graphics. All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.

09/18/2024

Be ethical - NO FAKE Service Dogs!

Send a message to learn more

09/15/2024

I get it.....I really do.
It is cold, you just got home and you have 30 minutes to walk your dog, but you also need to get some exercise in to destress, unwind and get the blood pumping.
Your dog will love it...won't they ?
Some will, but lately there are too many dogs running "dutifully" behind people.
Some dogs have obvious limps but people can't see that from out the front.
Some dogs attempt to stop...to urinate and are tugged/dragged to continue, because your pace is good and you want to continue.
Sniffing and enrichment isn't a consideration at all...it can't be because that run needs to continue for your own well being and reasons.
At the pace you set.
For the time you set.
Are their needs even a consideration in the decision making?
Is this for them or for you ?
Sometimes our dogs needs for enrichment and enjoyment are easily forgotten because every night we must walk or run that certain route...in that certain time.
Or WE don't feel better.......

09/13/2024

Today's Google Photo Collage Creation - 😻 Sidney & K9NW Class

09/13/2024

🤍🐾

09/11/2024

Reactive dog ❓💥
"Loading" is a general term...but it can help some to see this as a call to action. NOTHING good happens after this.....there is usually a reaction straight after.
"Loading" is in between looking🙂 and reacting💥, and you need to learn your own dogs subtle tells that this is exactly what they are doing.
Distraction isn't a long term solution for reactivity, though (to be fair) it has it's place
Distraction is exactly what it means...a distraction, sometimes it is needed and at times is helpful...but there is so much more to helping a reactive dog through their own emotional journey than just distraction. I will add some videos in the comments which can help.✅
"Loading" can take a split second....or much longer.
The very second you see the slightest changes in their posture/body language, you need to act....quickly

🙂Unmarked graphics are available for $ 1.20 USD or $ 2 NZD each (approx), these are then able to be used off Facebook for client handouts, posters etc. Please visit ABC Dogs Patreon Shop for our collection of graphics.
Everyone is free to share these posts on social media, however off social media use is protected.
Screen shots are a violation of copyright.
Please respect that these graphics take time and effort to make . All graphics belong to ABC Dogs NZ and are under copyright.









dog

09/10/2024

Invisible fence, what's the harm?

09/10/2024

🤌🏽

ShopCanineAesthete.com

09/10/2024

Dog licks are often thought of as doggy kisses. But, it’s actually something to take a step back and notice. And could sometimes be considered a, “Kiss to Dismiss” (more on that below). These licks do trigger some questions that may seem a bit silly to ask in response. Something like, “Describe the licks for me. Fast, slow, and then does the dog move away?”
“Is it a full tongue or a little bit?”
“Full tongue lick or quick flick?”
“Is the child sitting and the dog approaches or vice versa, what level of mobility does the child have, is food present or remnant?

There’s many questions! But, these questions help us gather valuable information to help us understand what the dog may be communicating. At Family Paws Parent Education, we want to help parents consider and recognize that dog licks may not always be what we think they are, “affectionate kisses”, or indications of “love,” but could have other meanings. We refer to this as “Kiss to Dismiss”. If you are curious of these doggy “kisses” and if they are a “Kiss to Dismiss”, ask yourself,
🐶 Is your dog in need of space? (what just happened? Did your baby crawl closer to your dog?)
🐶 Is your dog in need of space and there is a reason they may choose not to move? (example: comfy spot, resource, pain)
🐶 Does this licking deter closeness or lead to an increase in space?

Thank you, Steve Bishop of Bishops Gate Dog Training for this graphic! Steve is also a Family Paws Parent Educator.
We do not recommend baby and dogs interact as shown in these illustrations. Never allow your baby to crawl up to or freely explore your dog in this way.

You can also find him on Instagram at

09/10/2024

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.

09/09/2024

Friendly reminder 😇

Show your love for dog sports in style! ShopCanineAesthete.com. 🛍 🐾

09/09/2024

https://www.aspca.org/news/dogs-beer-getting-bottom-hops-toxicity

Homebrewing has become a popular hobby across the nation, and as this beer-based hobby continues to grow, so do the calls concerning pet safety. The hops used to make beer are a toxic ingredient for pets, especially curious dogs. Read more to get the facts and learn how to best keep your pets safe.