Happy Training

07/11/2024

It’s that time of the year again where our dogs provide us with enrichment.

05/11/2024

DO NOT BUY DOGS FROM THE AMISH

We get calls every week from dog owners that have purchased a dog from the Amish, only to find out that their new best friend has significant issues to overcome. Unfortunately, dogs that come from the Amish do tend to have significant, lifelong behavioral problems.

For a quick background, the overwhelming majority of Amish “breeders” are not properly breeding dogs. They don’t breed for health, temperament, or the betterment of the breed, they breed exclusively for money. They are PUPPY MILLS.

Let’s say for example that they are breeding French bulldogs. They find a male and a female, regardless of health or behavioral concerns, and make the breeding happen. No thought was put into the health or quality of life of the puppies that will come out. No health testing the parents, no behavioral/temperament testing of the parents, etc.

Once the puppies are born, they are essentially left in a room with the mother until they are ready to be sold. No enrichment, no health testing, no socialization, nothing. When a prospective buyer comes along and sees the dogs in these conditions, they either feel sorry for them, or they have no clue that this isn’t normal.

Because these puppies were never socialized or cared for properly, they develop significant fear and anxiety issues, as well as difficulty potty training and crate training. We are dealing with several cases of aggression towards people and dogs, and these dogs all came from the Amish.

This is textbook backyard breeding, but on a huge scale, and it has only grown and grown in recent years.

If you are looking to get a deal on a purebred dog, there is no such thing. If you don’t want to spend thousands on a well bred puppy from a reputable and ethical breeder, that’s totally fine. But buying a dog for a discounted rate from the Amish (in our experience) comes with significant baggage.

If you must have a certain breed of dog but can’t afford to go to a reputable and ethical breeder, do your research and find a rescue or shelter that has that breed of dog. They are still an unknown quantity because you don’t know anything about their history, but you won’t be perpetuating inhumane breeding practices.

04/11/2024

🐾There are some methods that may seem logical on the surface, but can have unintended consequences when it comes to teaching dogs what we think is ‘good’ behaviour.

One common approach I’ve noticed people do is holding their dog by the collar and asking them to sit. If the dog doesn’t respond the owner pushes their bum down forcing them to sit. While it might seem like this gives you control, it can backfire by causing stress, anxiety, and worsening your dog’s behaviour – and it may also cause discomfort or pain by forcing them with your hand into the sit position.

Let me explain why physically holding a dog in place isn’t helpful and what you can do instead...

The Problem with Physical Restraint: It Increases Stress!

From the dog’s perspective, being held by the collar restricts their ability to make choices, particularly in situations they find stressful. Dogs naturally find ways to feel safe, and one of their primary coping strategies is to increase distance AWAY from something that feels like a threat. When you take away that option by physically restraining them, it can trigger stress and discomfort.

Imagine feeling cornered with no way to move – this is what many dogs experience when held tightly. The more restricted they feel, the higher their stress levels can become.

🔴Loss of Control Fuels Anxiety and Reactivity...

Just like humans, dogs feel more secure when they have control over their interactions. When a dog loses that control—especially in the presence of a trigger, like a strange person or another dog—it can lead to heightened anxiety.

This anxiety can manifest as reactivity, such as barking, growling, or lunging. What looks like 'bad behaviour' to us is often a dog’s way of expressing that they feel overwhelmed and unsafe.
In these moments, holding your dog still adds fuel to the fire. They’re already stressed, and now they have no way to escape the situation. This makes them more likely to react aggressively or develop a pattern of reactivity in the future.

🔴The Impact of Blocking Natural Coping Behaviours...

Dogs have their own natural coping strategies, including moving or looking away from the trigger (avoidance), sniffing the ground, yawning, shake-off, pacing, or licking their lips to self-soothe. These actions help them regulate their emotions and feel safer. But when we stop them from engaging in these behaviours by holding them by the collar, we remove the tools they need to manage their stress.

This sense of being trapped can escalate fear or frustration, leading to an even stronger reaction. If a dog feels they have no way out, their behaviour can quickly spiral, creating more long-term issues.

🔴Adding to Their Vulnerability...

When you hold a dog in place physically, you increase their sense of vulnerability. They now have two things to worry about—the trigger they were already reacting to and the fact that they can’t move. Even dogs with a generally friendly temperament can start feeling defensive when restrained, especially if they’ve had negative experiences in the past.

This is why some dogs may bark, snap, or lunge even more intensely when held by the collar. Their behaviour isn’t about disobedience—it’s a desperate attempt to protect themselves from what feels like a threatening situation.

🟢Positive Alternatives of What to Do Instead…

Rather than relying on physical restraint and forcing a sit give your dog distance AWAY from the trigger. Allowing them space helps de-escalate a potentially tense situation and helps them feel safer, reducing the chances of a reactive response.

Gradually expose your dog to their triggers from a comfortable distance—far enough that they notice the trigger but don’t react. This isn’t about your dog focusing on you; instead, you want them to visually engage with the trigger and calmly process it. When they stay relaxed while observing, reward them to build positive associations. Over time, this helps reduce their reactivity.

A well-fitted ‘Y’ shaped harness with a handle allows you to guide your dog gently without restricting their movement. It’s a safer and more comfortable alternative to holding their collar - which also puts pressure on the oesophagus and trachea.
helping
Training your dog isn’t about control—it’s about teaching them how to navigate the world with confidence and helping your dog develop the coping skills they are missing. Physical restraint, such as holding them by the collar, may seem like a quick fix, but it can actually undermine your training efforts and your dog’s trust in you.

If you're having difficulty managing a highly reactive dog, seek out a qualified force-free trainer in your area who uses science-based methods.

29/10/2024

The number one reason veterinarians dissuade pet owners from feeding commercial bought or homemade raw diets is that most people do not follow well- formulated recipes that ensure their animals consume the daily minimum (and preferably optimal) nutritional requirements.

Know who makes your pet's food.

24/10/2024

Night Night World 🐾💤

22/10/2024

Good morning from me and this cuddle boy. It’s a beautiful day!!

16/10/2024

Great article by Ren Volpe about the truth about shock collars.

https://www.baywoof.org/featured-article/if-it-didnt-hurt-it-wouldnt-work-the-truth-about-choke-prong-and-shock-collars

Dog training has come a long way with regards to harsh methods or aversive methods to get our dogs to obey.

are banned in many countries. We in the USA are way behind. The science of positive reinforcement training, is real and is the best way to learn about humane treatment of the dogs we love so much.

Causing pain in training dogs is never an option when we can train without it. It’s laziness on the part of humans and trainers. We do better when we know better.

12/10/2024

Happy Fall

01/10/2024

Walking Etiquette, Name call for attention, confidence building, socialization, exercise, mental enrichment! All these things happening in a 20 minute walk.

28/09/2024

You can teach an old dog new tricks and you should! Neuroplasticity continues in old age and can help stem off Canine Cognitive Disorder.

28/09/2024

The point of taking your dog on a walk is to let them sniff!!!

Have you noticed that your dog zigs and zags on walks? Your dog isn’t trying to drive you crazy. They’re following their incredibly powerful sense of smell, which is how dogs experience the world!

Humans have 6 million olfactory receptors, compared to dogs, who have up to 300 million!

Those zigzags (and let me tell you, Finch is the zig-zaggiest) are your dog following scent trails, catching up on neighborhood gossip, and gathering information. (If only they could share what they learn with us!)

If you start to feel frustrated on walks, remember that sniffing is essential to your dog’s happiness, enrichment, and well-being! ❤️

Alt text: A small gray dog on a blue background with a speech bubble that reads, “Walking in a straight line is more of a human thing.”

28/09/2024

Snuggly boy!!! Love my dog cuddles.