PATH Dog Training & Behavior

08/17/2024

I simply cannot with this cute

08/07/2024

This is sweet little Kahlua's second session working on behavior mod for severe people stranger danger. She is a whose nervous system is always running high. She would jump at the sound of repeated, gentle thumps in her own garage.

Last week, we introduced:
✔️ Counter-conditioning
✔️ Threshold honoring
✔️ Playing tag (AKA touch)
✔️ Default settles
✔️ Emergency U-Turns

Today, I discovered walks are now going GREAT thanks to counter conditioning and emergency U-Turns. She was able to play tag with me for the first time!

So I added:
✔️ Target a mat with all 4 paws
✔️ Lie down on the mat
✔️ Stay briefly until released
✔️ Use mat work to recover after a mild-moderate trigger (the thumping)

I am so stinking proud of her and her family. Last week, I got growled and barked at with paranoid eyes 👀. Today, she not only took treats and played tag with me, she let me teach her to target the mat!

06/30/2024

So proud of this team! From reactive to all dogs to a CGC graduate. Yay Sean and Lulu Diva!! 😁🙏🏼🥳☘️

06/27/2024

That thing where you look like your dog?
It's us. Me and Zephyr.

06/04/2024

So honored to be chosen at the #1 Rated Dog Trainer in Lake Forest, CA! This is my 14th year in business, it's been such a a rewarding journey. Thanks to all for helping me get here!

05/29/2024

Just announced the upcoming CGC test/practice day for PATH Animal Institute

RSVP on Meetup

**Group Class: TESTING PREP DAY** PATH private clients pay $20. If you and your dog are on your way to taking all 3 levels of the CGC test, the Service Dog in Training Ma

05/23/2024

Dr. Sparkle is concerned. Let me get this straight.

Let's talk about heel/loose-leash walking/no pulling. It sucks when dogs pull the whole walk. A dog who walk nicely is a dream to be out with. Dogs who yank constantly hurt my arms/back/abs/body.

Some trainers work on leash pulling by...
Putting the dog in a prong collar, making it uncomfortable to pull in.

🤔 Does that seem counter intuitive to anyone else? Fixing leash pulling with... More pulling (leash corrections on the prong)? We just moved the pain off of us and onto the dog. Is that really the best we can do?

I literally had a client say "WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?" at her dog's first walking lesson on a front-clip harness. I was NOT luring or constantly treating the dog. The dog actually did not pull at all.

Leash pulling is usually a symptom that becomes a habit. Remove the root cause and reinforce a new habit to stop the pulling.

Legit root causes of leash pulling:
✔️ Bored, hyper dog
✔️ Over excitement & prey drive
✔️ Reactivity (from frustration or fear of a trigger)
✔️ Fear & anxiety away from home
✔️ Over stimulated
✔️ Lack of partnership with owner

Illegitimate root causes of leash pulling:
✖️ Dominance
✖️ Trying to be the pack leader
✖️ Stubborn
✖️ Low intelligence
✖️ Has to be in front to control the walk

Let me know if this is your dog? I'd like to offer a free webinar on walking methods that don't hurt either end of the leash. 😉

05/21/2024

I have been slowly transitioning from the Pack Walks to the new PACT Class on meetup.com/path4dogs

Years ago, another local trainer (I'm not naming him) attended my pack walk to help his dogs (or so he said). I have recently discovered he stole my idea when someone in a local Facebook group accused me of stealing his idea. Seeing the Meetup Events history dating back to January of 2012 proved I offered it first, but I am not about drama.

Sometimes, necessity is the mother of invention!

Rather than a weekly pack walk, I am now offering a drop-in group class that focuses on manners out and about in the world. This class offers reactive dogs the space and structure needed to succeed alongside dogs who only need to work on obedience.

The price has gone up to $35 now that it is a group class instead of a pack walk. Private clients pay $20 for the life of their dog. This is still much more affordable than other in-person reactive dogs allowed classes (most have gone online).

If you're interested in doing a pack walk on a local trail, please comment below! I'd be happy to host a free monthly pack walk.

**Partnership And Trust Here (PATH) Animal Institute - Welcome!**This group is founded and hosted by animal behaviorist and dog trainer, **Ash Miner, a professional trainer since 2008, who holds dual Master's degrees in Animal Behavior for canine/feline and equine** from the accredited Unity Environ

05/14/2024

Just scheduled the next CGC prep & test day for PATH Animal Institute

https://www.meetup.com/path4dogs/events/301011034/

04/08/2024

It really makes my blood boil when trainers focus on making behaviors happen, rather than getting to the root cause.

I am Katie's 3rd trainer. She is 3 years old. We had our first in-person session today. She was terrified, but I helped her through it. It was the first time her owner said, "She really looks happy. I've been wondering if she ever really is happy, if she even loves me?"

I wish the training industry would be regulated to prevent this kind of neglect from happening.

04/05/2024

Rained out today.
Looks comfy, Takoda...

03/10/2024

RSVP for the next PACT to Resolve Reactivity event here!
https://www.meetup.com/path4dogs/events/299717358/

April 28
Sunday
9am
Irvine Regional Park Lot A
$25 for non-private clients, private clients attend FREE

02/14/2024

Just dealt with yet another new client who has had an awful experience with a service dog organization.

I REALLY want to start my own.

Anybody know the ins and outs of this?

02/08/2024

Hey everyone, do your thing.

I have been contacted about a scared bully mix -- who was supposed to be a 2-3 day foster -- with a woman for a year because the rescue turned out to be a scam. Doesn't like new people or dogs. Cowers with people, especially men, and growls at dogs. Lives with 3 smaller dogs and plays with them. Killed a kitten.

He's described as a very fun, playful, smart good boy.

Ideal home has NO children or cats, and a very savvy dog who wants a rough & tumble buddy. I will gladly help this dog integrate for a discounted rate.

CANNOT realistically stay with the foster forever, she's in over her head. But he's safe, she won't give him to a shelter or just anyone.

Please share if you aren't in a position to take him in. Thanks!

01/26/2024

Unity had me fill out an alumni survey.

At the end, they said I'm valuable, and asked me to check what I'm interested in. I checked stuff like:
1. Being a guest speaker about my field
2. Being an expert resource to future students/alumni
3. Becoming adjunct faculty

🙏🏼🤞🏼
Yes please!

01/02/2024

I'm a total and am madly in ❤️ with the

12/30/2023

Welcome, Kaiden
to my new Apprenticeship program!

12/27/2023

If you're like me, walking multiple dogs at once, it's can be very handy to use a hands-free belt system of some sort. Unfortunately, the disadvantage to multiple dogs is that the leashes often get twisted around each other. I have solved this by adding a swivel snap attachment point for either a double-ended leash or a carabiner on the handle of a leash.

12/26/2023

Niko loves his time sniffing in the . The greatest gift you can give any dog on a walk is to let them sniff!

12/22/2023

Today, Gracie the learned:

🐾Heel position
🐾Come front
🐾Give an item to my hand
⭐ Bonus trick: Bow

Comment if you'd like to sign up for private training to help your dog learn like Gracie.

12/22/2023

EMERGENCY - FOUND BUDGIE/PARAKEET
Please PM me if you know this bird!

12/20/2023

For quickie day-to-day posts, including adorable animal client photos, I now have a Twitter/X account!

12/02/2023

ANNOUNCEMENT

I will be rebranding, again, in light of a decision I've made to specialize.

Having completed my master's degrees, I am.overqualified to be a dog trainer in the simple sense. It also isn't what really interests me, nor what I can best do to serve my community and the dogs.

I mean, who doesn't love playing with puppies?!

But my specialties are behavior modification and service dogs. So I'm going to focus on those clients.

I will still absolutely take referrals for puppy raising, integrating dogs, basic obedience training, trick dog titles, etc.

In order to reflect this niche role I'm fitting, I don't think this business name fits best (which I came up with when Hounds in Harmony kept getting calls from Australia due to a therapy dog certification team out there). Suggestions welcome, I don't have the next one set yet.

08/24/2023

So true!

As good as any advice I've heard this week.

12/27/2022

I have reached 100 followers! Thank you for your continued support. I could not have done it without each of you. 🙏🤗🎉

09/15/2022

It's been a great week with Jack, Cashmere, Piper, Nala, Bud Bear, and bonus Abbey!

09/05/2022

I madly love these .
Buddy came and sat for our photo. Nala is lounging in true princess fashion.

09/02/2022

Lookit you, at working your like rockstars!

08/23/2022

My #1 complaint with group dog walks is that the dogs don't get to follow critter tracks, sniff, and do dog things. They're constantly in traveling mode, which is good to do some of the time! But it's impossible for 1 dog walker with 2+ dogs (sometimes as many as a dozen!) to allow each dog to follow their nose. Can you imagine the chaos?!
Every once in a while, my clients ask me to put my hat back on. Especially now, when everyone is going back to school. While I'm focusing on training, I really enjoy it.

08/23/2022

I hiked 3 hours with 3 clients today! Poor Buddy didn't know what to make of the but he did discover the joys of being out in nature eventually! Lovely Nala is learning to enjoy nature calmly and politely. Jack is... The HAPPIEST DOGGO on the planet! 🤣