Trixie ate treats at the vet yesterday! She was scared but not too scared to take treats some of the time. She’s taking treats a little hard — her mouth kinda punches at my hand — which is a sign of her being worried. I brought the good stuff, cooked ground beef.
Treats help make the vet less scary. Some more of what helped Trixie at the vet —
1. Meds. With our vet and a veterinary behaviorist we’ve found medicines that Trixie takes before a vet visit and these really help.
2. A mat on the floor. I forgot to bring one but asked and the vet tech kindly brought one right after this.
3. Asking for exam to be on the floor instead of on table.
4. Me doing restraints. Trixie doesn’t like being held for exam and procedures. And it’s less scary for her if I’m doing the restraint.
5. Me being there. Even while I’m feeling anxious for Trixie, one of her people being with her helps a lot.
What helps your dog (and you!) at the vet?
#forcefree #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainer #dogsofla #dogtrainer #treats #vetcare #vetvisits #dogwellness #dogtrainerla #terriermix #chihuahuamix
Trixie taking in beach and Pacific Ocean! Making the most of her @hightailhikes longline. #dogenrichment #dogsofla #terriersofinstagram #heeling #sniffari
Trixie approves of empty box from new-to-us pizza place! Us humans liked #triplebeampizza too! #parenting #dadlife #dogdad #dogsofinstagram #dog #forcefreetraining #dogenrichment #canineenrichmentideas
Treating Trixie for checking in with dogs nearby! Trixie is watching two neighbor dogs. We’re far enough way Trixie is noticing the dogs without getting upset that she can’t get to them. I’m not using the leash or words to tell Trixie what I’m hoping for. As soon as Trixie glanced back at me I gave her cheese. We’ve both come a long way on walks and treating Trixie for check-ins has helped a lot. Did we get surprised by a dog coming around the corner a few minutes later? Yep. But we ran away for a treat party around the corner. #forcefree #dogs #dogsofinstagram #dogwalk #dogoclock #alphashmalpha #cookiepusher #reactivedog #fearfuldog #smalldog #maketrainingfun #dogdad #dogsofla #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #leashwalking #kindness
Squirrel alarm calling about Trixie. Fair squirrel!
Trixie waited with her toes gripping the ground for long minutes then went for it with the squirrel. Who needs Planet Earth when I have this Bean to watch?! Something about this week, feeling like adding some hashtags that are the opposite of me to mess with the algorithm. #dogs #sniffari #dogtraining #balanced #alpha #packleader #balanceddogtraining #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining
Trixie stalking and chasing a squirrel! I could watch her stalk all day. #dogsarepredators #letdogsbedogs #sniffari #dogs #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #dogtrainer #looseleashwalking #dogagency
Harness training with Zula! We started with easy-for-Zula step of booping my one hand while top hand is holding an invisible harness. Boop → treat → repeat. For Zula and many dogs going into a harness is scary. Even going under a hand like Zula is has potential to be scary.
Giving Zula agency helps. She decides if she’s gonna boop my hand, she chooses in later steps about putting her nose into the harness. We keep things easy for Zula throughout.
In between reps with Zula I’m tossing treats to Horton who’s offscreen on a down stay on the chair next to me. This is a team effort! Big woohoo to my amazing client does so much with these two wonderful dogs.
This is a “day training” session: this day it’s just me doing practice with Zula and Horton. I offer day training because – let’s be real – we (including me!) are not always able to do all the homework with our dogs.
Is putting on your dog’s harness really stressful and hard? I’m here to help! #compassion #kindness #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogharness #daytraining #selfcompassion #fearfuldog #dogs #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsofla #cookiepusher #cooperativecaretraining #dogbodylanguage #resourceguarding #dogwalk
Trixie rocked a 5 hour absence yesterday. Allowing me to take the toddler to preschool play date that wouldn’t have been Trixie’s scene. Trixie still gets days off like today where she’s never alone. Days off help Trixie on the days when she does have alone time.
We’ve watched Elemental many times so I get it Trixie napping thru it. Trixie’s more cuddly after a big absence and I’m here for that!
#dogtrainer #separationanxiety #separationanxietyindogs #forcefree #fearfuldog #dogdad #parenting #dogsofla
Watching Moana with toddler and dog on either side of me. Trixie wants to be close AND Trixie does not like any shuffling of the sofa…like say when the toddler grabs cheerios and moves ever so slightly. So scary thing (toddler moving sofa) means Trixie gets a tiny piece of cheese from toddler’s lunch pack. Trixie’s free to go to another bed. One movie at a time trying to give these two Beans good experiences with each other! If you have a dog and child and keeping both safe is feeling stressful, I see you and I’d love to help! #parenting #parents #dogplusbaby #dadlife #dogdad #forcefree #cookiepusher #dogtraining #dogsofla #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #forcefreedogtraining
Adding gauze or any implement to toothbrush training is a big level up in difficulty for Trixie. I noticed she was a little hesitant around the gauze. So I put gauze on one finger and then made what we did super easy for Trixie — here going under one hand and booping the other. We’ll build back up to actual brushing with gauze. So long as we’re both having fun! #forcefree #forcefreedogtraining #forcefreetraining #cookiepusher #caninedental #doghealth #dogs #dog #dogsofinstagram #maketrainingfun #dogdad #cooperativecaretraining #cooperativecare #dogdental
Trixie sniffing pizza boxes! Why don’t we have pizza? Good question, Trixie! Early preschool end meant no walk for Trixie yesterday. Trixie sniffed all the sniffs at the park today and now she’s snoozing. #sniffari #letthemsniff #dogenrichment #trashenrichment #canineenrichment #dogs #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dadlife #dogdad #forcefree
