Dog Training By Lynzee

09/20/2024

BEYOND CESAR MILLAN

20 YEARS LATER.....The following review was submitted to National Geographic by Dr. Andrew Luescher, DVM, Ph.D, DACVB (board-certified veterinary behaviorist).

Dr. Luescher, former director of the Purdue University Veterinary Behavior Clinic was asked to provide feedback on "Dog Whisperer" tapes prior to the show's airing.

In this letter to National Geographic (date unknown), Dr. Luescher writes,

"I think this series, if aired, would be a major embarrassment for National Geographic. It is not stimulating or thought-provoking, since none of the presented techniques are new. They are outdated and have long been abandoned by most responsible trainers, let alone behaviorists, as inappropriate and cruel. I very much hope National Geographic will pull the plug on this program."

Please read the entire letter (It's not long.) and share: http://beyondcesarmillan.weebly.com/andrew-luescher.html

This program and trainers who have mimicked the behavior seen in this program have done so much damage to the dog training industry, dogs, and the human-animal bond.

I have met and spoken to Dr. Luescher personally, and I share his sentiments, as do all other trainers in the evidence-based, best practice camp. Meanwhile, much of the unsuspecting public still looks to National Geographic as an authority and has no idea it has thrown science to the wind, at least in terms of dog behavior and training.

Cindy Ludwig, MA, BS, RN, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA
Canine Connection LLC
Willard, MO

Image copyright Valder Beebe Show, CC BY 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Cesar_Millan_Mar_2018.png

09/14/2024

And this is why I’m taking a break 😂

oops

09/09/2024

Hey everyone! If you’ve reached out to me in the last two weeks for training, please do not think I am ignoring you. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks and I think it’s time that I take a step back from taking on more things right. Because of that, I’m taking a little hiatus from training right now to focus on my first two passions, the HOPE Program and working with Rescue Groups.

If you’re looking for private 1-1 training in your home, please reach out to Mecia Scott with Bark Boot Camp Barkbootcamptraining.com, Call or Text: 717-745-2882

If you’re looking for more socialization or group classes please try these training centers:

Good Dog Rising https://gooddogrising.com

Red Fern Canines https://www.redferncanines.com

If you’ve adopted from HOPE or CPAA, I will continue to work with you as you and your pup were promised lifetime training!

Thank you all!!!

Come to Good Dog Rising for obedience, manners, K9 sports, behavior consultation, and fun with your dog and other dog people. Whether you're ready for a great start, looking for some fun for you and your pal, or frustrated by a serious behavior problem, our experienced team of instructors is here to...

09/06/2024

So let’s use this video as a teachable moment…what the (%& #($& happened?

First, you should know a few things about Reed:
1. He LIVES for shredding cardboard and I regularly give him boxes filled with kibble and toys to “open”. It’s enrichment for a dog who needs activities but is limited due to his heart condition.
2. He gets VERY worked up when the other dogs bark, especially if the continuously bark. Normally I curb this kind of activity, but it can be hard to do that when I’m not home.
3. Reed also gets worked up when deliveries come to the house. He loves meeting people and I think it’s the fact that people come up to the door and then walk away without saying hi, that frustrates him the most. If I could let him meet every delivery person, I totally would, but again if I’m not home for the delivery, I can’t do anything.
4. He was crated. I don’t know if I didn’t latch it properly, or if he just managed to push on the door until it popped. I’m not sure because some dog ate the cable to the living room camera (Reed) while I was out mowing a couple weeks ago.

Okay, so what led up to the destruction and what did he destroy? From what I could gather from the other cameras and the number of packages on my porch…I had at least 6 different deliveries on Tuesday while I was at work. For some reason, a few of the deliver people knocked on the door when they dropped their package off. (I hate this and don’t understand why they do this) Knocking on the door is going to make the dogs bark, which is good. I want anyone coming to my front door to know that I have large dogs in my home. I think that’s with every knock, delivery, and barking episode, Reed got more and more frustrated, which isn’t good for his heart. And considering what the frustration could have done to him, I will gladly take destruction of property versus coming home and finding him dead.

For the most part, he really only destroyed the cardboard packaging of furniture that I bought and had yet to put together. He did manage to rip open a box of toilet paper (thank God the pandemic is over…knock on wood) and then peed on most of the roles after freeing them from their protective plastic wrapping. He also shredded two filters for my HVAC system, which honestly, I should have put the filters in as soon as they were delivered. And also got into a box of Old Mother Hubbard dog biscuits (I have a feeling he won’t be wanting those anytime soon), and a 90 count jar of hip and joint supplements. That is what scared me the most. I made a quick and scary call to a pet poison line who said that due to the product, his size, and the amount of diarrhea and/or vomit (it was really impossible to tell) that he should be fine but needed to be closely monitored, which I did. Thankfully, he seems no worse for the wear.

So I guess that brings me to my final part…how can I prevent this in the future. Well, first and foremost, I’m securing his crate better with the used of zip ties and multiple carabiners. The zip times because I realized today that while the carabiners kept him in his crate, he did manage to pop the backside off of the hooks holding it in place. Will the zip ties keep him contained? I guess we will see, but I’m pretty much using that at “weak points” in the wire crate, so anywhere that two sections meet and are held in place by those U-shaped hooks. The carabiners should prevent him from popping the crate door open. But again, if he’s really determined, he could get out of the wire crate. I’ve seen many dogs do it, for various reasons, and these crates are not escape “proof”.

I’m going to set up cameras again that will notify me of noise and movement. Again this is more reactionary than proactive, but at least I can attempt to talk through the cameras and hopefully persuade the dogs to stop whatever they’re doing.

I’m also going to take advantage of the “schedule your delivery” option that most delivery services offer. Could I try to work with each dog individually around their barking when packages are delivered…probably. But why not make things easier on myself and just schedule deliveries for when I will be home and then if i choose to do so, I can be prepared and work with the dogs then.

Will I continue to give Reed cardboard to shred? Absolutely…he loves it! And I can fit so much more cardboard in my bin when it’s shredded versus whole boxes that I’ve flattened and attempted to shove in the bin.

Lastly, do I still have packages sitting around in cardboard boxes, just BEGGING Reed to free them from their corrugated enclosures…You bet I do! Because I will never learn…and honestly, where would you all be without the chaos that is my home? You’re welcome!

08/29/2024

If you’re not making Jell-O shots for your dogs this weekend, what exactly are you doing with your life???

08/26/2024

I have so many dogs that I could post today, but these two…they don’t get enough credit or acknowledge for the million ways they make me smile everyday. I love them deeply and I cannot imagine my life without them.

I also can’t imagine my life without all the foster dogs and HOPE dogs that I’ve had in my life either!

08/24/2024

I was a professional dog trainer for years, but it never sat right with me. I was in it for the dogs, you see, and when you train dogs for roles, you have to think just as much about the position they will fill as you do the dog. And I just wanted to think about the dog. That’s why I was there. Th...

08/06/2024

Jaida would also love some volunteers to walk her or spend time with her at the kennel while we search for her forever family.

08/06/2024

07/25/2024

A lot of my clients seem to be very uncomfortable with the idea of separating their dog and child for safety reasons. But I recently had an epiphany - they all assumed that separation was the same as isolation. And it's not.

Using management strategies, such as using a pen to cordon off an area for a child to play, provide separation between the dog and child. But neither the dog or child is isolated. Everyone can still see each other. The parent can still interact with everyone. And with time and patience, everyone can be very comfortable and safe with such an arrangement.

So now, I am always reminding clients that "Separation is not the same as isolation." It's simply a way for parents to function and do the impossibly difficult job of raising kids and dogs together.

07/17/2024

When we punish dogs for growling, even if they're growling at our child, we aren't helping them feel better about whatever it is that is threatening them. Instead, we are teaching to stop letting us know when they feel unsafe.

The result? A dog who stops giving us warning signs and "bites out of the blue."
And, that's how we create dangerous dogs. I'd much rather have a dog growl and tell me they're upset (so we have a chance to intervene and help them) than a dog who just bites without any warning signs.

07/13/2024

This is Winston…he’s available through Furry Friends Network. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him today and when I tell you that this boy could be the most amazing dog you ever own I absolutely mean it! Initially, he wasn’t too sure about the person standing in his yard with a book bag and big sunglasses on, but once he got a good couple sniffs and realized that the bag was full of FOOD we were instant besties!

He’s young, agile (agility anyone), aware of his surroundings (he’ll let you know what’s going on around you but he’s not over the top), he’s absolutely dog social and friendly, food motivated, and a quick learner. I think he’d be your new best friend no matter what you’re into. He does better meeting people away from home, like most dogs, but warmed up to be very quickly and even showed some other dogs in the house that I wasn’t so scary after all.

He would probably do better with older kids, as he’s a little grabby with hands (because he’s convinced every hand might have a treat), and needs to work on his leash manners (he’s just so excited to see the world) but overall for such a young guy he could be your dream dog with just a little guidance! He’s on my list for HOPE, but honestly I’d love to find him a forever home before then!

It’s really not often that I will make a post about a dog shortly after meeting them, but there is just something about this boy! I am telling you, he’s an amazing dog! Check out his profile pics, as this one does not capture his big ol ears or his curly tail!

https://www.petfinder.com/dog/winston-70492680/pa/boiling-springs/furry-friends-network-pa131/

07/12/2024

Our job is to support, not push.

It’s normal for puppies, adolescents and even adult dogs to be worried of new things. Treating unfamiliar objects or environments with caution is a survival mechanism. It could potentially save their lives.
You might even see these periods increase then die down again as they grow. These are kicking in at same time as the need to be more independent.
Our job isn’t to encourage or push. Our job is to support patiently, provide choices and confident reassurance.

07/05/2024

So listen…if I know you because I’ve worked with you and your dog, or I know you through dog-related events please know that your listed in my phone as “🐶People Name - Dog’s Name” and your ringtone is barking.

.secret.dog.walker

06/25/2024

And who doesn’t love a dopamine hit!

DOPAMINE does a lot more than reward‼️

🧠 Fast dopamine neurons are involved in the detection of events and ascribing of value. Slow dopamine neurons are needed for movement, behavioural activation, motivation, reward and punishment (yes punishment increases dopamine too). Dopamine concentration outside the neurons is needed for movement control, which is critical for dog sports.

😱 There is so much more than conditioning going on in our dogs' brains when we train them, and understanding the beautiful complexity expands our horizons, and helps us help them.

(Shared with permission by Barking Brains)

06/24/2024

I bet you didn’t, did you? Shame on you 😂

DID YOU?