Best Friends Dog Academy

11/17/2024

More excellent puppy advice!

11/17/2024

Looking at current position statements from organizations like AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior), who are the leaders on veterinary care and behavior, they are abundantly clear that the outdated belief of avoiding socialization until vaccines are completed has no place in current standards. This is relevant because in many cases this fear of strangers or a particular group of people, results from lack of socialization during this critical period and can have lifelong impacts into adulthood.

11/14/2024

👀 😬☹️seeing photos like this all day in my feed and feeling sad.
I don’t blame kids. In fact blaming is pointless. Start educating. Start learning!

Children represent a massive proportion of reported dog bite cases.

These pictures, selected from a massive library of similar stock photos of children with dogs, show some of the reasons for this.

Humans like physical contact. We're generally huggers, particularly with a gorgeous animal like a dog - that soft coat and gorgeous faces just look perfect for a hug, especially to a child.

Dogs are definitely not like us in this way. True, there are some dogs who may enjoy cuddling up with their people, and even like or don't mind hugs. One of my dogs is very much in favour of physical contact. Importantly, however, it is only with the people he chooses. The ones he knows and trusts.

Kids often cannot read canine body language. The signs are here in the photographs used of a tense and unhappy dog, but the children in these pictures can't see and interpret them.

It's up to us as adults, whether parents, dog caregivers, or both, to make sure that we are educated on canine body language and can see the signs of stress.

That we make sure to advocate for the dogs so that they are not put in this position.

To make sure that the children around us are educated and taught about the likes and dislikes of dogs.

To stop putting children and dogs into potentially dangerous situations for the cute photo or video (the videos of babies propped up against dogs make most behaviour professionals shudder because that is so not fair on either species!)

Let's be fair to both dogs and children and use education and understanding to keep children and dogs happy and safe together.

10/31/2024

Dr. Jennifer Summerfield is amazing! Saw this kinda last minute but if you can join in, I highly recommend!

In this webinar, we’ll talk about the following topics:

- Deconstructing labels: What is “anxiety”, anyway? How is it different from a fear response or phobia?
- Risk factors for the development of anxiety disorders
- Clinical approach to treatment, including behavior modification and drug therapy options

Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/48bxu3ae

10/30/2024

100% yes! One of my favorite Dogs Disclosed posts. So many options, depending on the specific dog’s environment and needs. 👏👏

10/28/2024

10/25/2024

Fantastic resource!

We have news to share!
We are so proud to be a part of this wonderful community and to have grown as a result of our shared goals of making animals lives better by caring for their minds and bodies! We now have 3 doctors seeing patients, so no more extended wait times!
• Dr. Deb Bryant, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
• Dr. Camille Squair, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
• Dr. Robyn Hayes, C.V.A. (certified Veterinary Acupuncturist), resident of the American College of Veterinary Behavior.

VBSMN serves patients from all over the upper midwest, including Wisconsin, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Canada! We are expanding our services to be able to offer veterinarians and owners even more behavior care.

1. We have launched two new Vet-2-Vet consultation options. These appointments are ideal for patients who live too far away to travel here comfortably. They are a offered as a collaboration with the primary care veterinarian managing the case while we provide our professional knowledge and guidance remotely. If you have a dog, cat, horse or bird who needs behavior help, talk to your veterinarian today!

2. Launching in 2025: Digital educational content. Watch our page and webpage for more details to come!

10/22/2024

So very important

Children represent a massive proportion of reported dog bite cases.

These pictures, selected from a massive library of similar stock photos of children with dogs, show some of the reasons for this.

Humans like physical contact. We're generally huggers, particularly with a gorgeous animal like a dog - that soft coat and gorgeous faces just look perfect for a hug, especially to a child.

Dogs are definitely not like us in this way. True, there are some dogs who may enjoy cuddling up with their people, and even like or don't mind hugs. One of my dogs is very much in favour of physical contact. Importantly, however, it is only with the people he chooses. The ones he knows and trusts.

Kids often cannot read canine body language. The signs are here in the photographs used of a tense and unhappy dog, but the children in these pictures can't see and interpret them.

It's up to us as adults, whether parents, dog caregivers, or both, to make sure that we are educated on canine body language and can see the signs of stress.

That we make sure to advocate for the dogs so that they are not put in this position.

To make sure that the children around us are educated and taught about the likes and dislikes of dogs.

To stop putting children and dogs into potentially dangerous situations for the cute photo or video (the videos of babies propped up against dogs make most behaviour professionals shudder because that is so not fair on either species!)

Let's be fair to both dogs and children and use education and understanding to keep children and dogs happy and safe together.

10/16/2024

Hey followers, please help me get this message out! I’ve had countless discussions with pet parents about this subject recently.
If your dog is dog selective, they are NORMAL.
Forcing relationships is never a good idea.
Flooding (repeated exposure over threshold) can make “dog selective” become “dog reactive”. 😬🥺
Meeting your dog’s needs means recognizing THEIR preferences for space and distance.
Do you love every human you meet, while in a crowded space with no access to relief or choice? Sure there are people who would dig this, but it’s a minority.
Dogs “behave best” when we listen to them and meet their individual needs in all contexts, especially social gatherings. 🐾❤️

10/15/2024

Didn't make it to our first Q&A session? Never fear! Our second Q&A session introducing you to the world of Virtual Veterinary Behavior Medicine is TOMORROW at 1pm EST! 🤩
Learn how VVBM provides nationwide support, helping veterinarians and pet owners tackle pet behavior challenges from the comfort of home. It’s not too late to sign up—click the link below! Don’t miss out!🏃🏻
Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y8W7wlmSTjWp0DhL5esDXA

10/15/2024

DISTANCE ASSISTANCE
It’s not easy having a reactive dog. As much as we may feel frustrated, restricted, angry or even ashamed or embarrassed, our reactive dogs are also experiencing a range of negative emotions when they react to something that triggers them.

This reaction is usually caused by anxiety, fear, feeling threatened, frustrated or related to pain.

These emotions cause high levels of stress and stress prevents both us and our dogs from being able to process information, think clearly or learn a different, more acceptable way of reacting to whatever triggers us.

This is why creating enough distance is so important. I’m really scared of snakes and even struggle to look at them. The only thing I want to do is run away and create as much distance as possible.

If someone was restraining me, forcing me to sit down and look at the snake while trying to feed me my favourite chocolate, telling me there was nothing to worry about or trying to educate me about the specific species, it would do nothing to alleviate my fear and would only increase my stress levels.

Doing this at a sufficient distance, where I felt safe would be far more effective and my stress levels would be much lower. In time, with patience and practice, I may even be able to get much closer to the snake without having a negative reaction.

The same principle applies to reactive dogs. Creating sufficient distance where they can see the trigger but still feel safe and don’t react is the best way of helping them to cope with their feelings.

Some dogs (and people) may never be able to decrease that distance and that’s also okay.

Accept your dog for the unique individual they are, keep working on the things you can change and accept the things you can’t.

10/14/2024

If you’re not doing things differently now then you did 5 years ago, you might want to learn more!
Back (10 ish years ago) when I did humane education in schools, etc we were still telling kids (and adults) to “stick your hand out towards the dog and let them sniff you” 👀😳
Nope nope nope.
Best practice looks different now!
Ask the dog’s human, then ask the dog by saying hello and patting your own leg. If they want to meet you or be touched, they get to choose.
Reach at/over/for them when they are saying “no thanks” takes their choice away.
Why is choice important?
For socialization, confidence, helping a dog feel safe, recognizing their needs, preventing trigger stacking, and preventing anxiety, stress, and behaviors including bites.

Dogs are absolutely amazing creatures and, as humans, many of us love them and, in that very human way for showing affection, want to touch and hug them. It's a big part of who we are as a species. And some dogs do enjoy hugs - both of my current dogs are lovers of physical contact. If my boy isn't getting enough fuss and love, he will grab an arm with his paw and drag it closer. My adolescent girl will hop up on the sofa and flop onto your chest and snuggle.

Many (probably most in all honesty) dogs don't. If they like much contact at all, it is more likely to be a scritch on the side of the neck or chest.

However a dog does like to receive physical attention and fuss, the most important thing to remember is that they must have the choice of whether they want fuss or not. And, if your dog is one who is less keen on contact, advocate for them. Tell the people around you how to check with the dog for consent, and to respect the signals they give.

The following is an excerpt from Building the Bond, available now (link in the comments) on how to check for consent before touching a dog.

"Frequently seen advice states that we should reach a hand towards the dog for them to sniff and ‘get our scent’ as an opening step. This is incorrect for a couple of reasons. First of all, this movement is getting in the dog’s space as the hand is usually put right up close to their face, and this could be alarming for the dog, especially if the movement is rapid. Secondly, the dog’s sense of smell is between 10,000 and 100,000 times as acute as our own according to scientists. Alexandra Horwitz, in the book Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know, tells us that dogs can detect a teaspoon of sugar in two Olympic sized swimming pools – that’s one teaspoon of sugar diluted in five million litres. They can smell us a long time before we are close enough to interact with them!

Avoid bending down and looming over the dog. People are much bigger than they are most of the time, so this can be intimidating and scary for them, especially when they do not know the person. Also avoid facing them directly and staring at them, as these signals are confrontational in dogs and could make them uncomfortable or even feel the need to be defensive.

Stand at an angle somewhere around 45 degrees away from looking straight at the dog, with your arms loose at your sides. You may want to consider crouching down and maybe holding a hand slightly towards the dog while speaking to them quietly and inviting them into your space. If the dog does approach and comes right up to you, then stroke them – not on top of their head but on the chest or side of the neck. After a couple of seconds stop, and remove your hand to see what they do next. If they do not move away, or they move in closer, stroke them again, but remember to keep stopping and ensure they are given the option to end the interaction and move away.

If the dog does not approach, they instead move backwards, or they turn their head or whole body away, respect their choice and their signals and do not keep trying to interact."

10/09/2024

Cedar Rapids and surrounding area folks:
I’ve met all three of the dog trainers at Cedar Run Company #1 and I recommend their group classes.
It’s a very busy industry right now and it’s great to connect with other like minded professionals and feel confident in recommending their classes. 👍😊

*Positive Reinforcement FTW!🏆 🐾

Even if you only attend one class, your puppy is less likely to have behavior issues in the future. Taking multiple classes helps you develop the right skills to set yourself and your pup up for a great life together.

10/07/2024

Great opportunity!

I am thrilled to share a passion project I have been working on for RESCUES AND SHELTERS.

I have recorded a workshop for shelter and rescue folks on Successful Dog Placements in Families with Kids and have decided to share it with these organizations FOR FREE.

Why? Because the stakes are high for dogs living with kids.
Dogs who live with kids have a higher chance of being returned.
Parents who raise dogs and kids together can get overwhelmed.
Kids and dogs can both feel physically and emotionally unsafe around each other...

And so, I wanted to share some best practices for making good matches, asking questions to help ensure "right fit" placements, and to empower staff to say no, when dogs are not the right fit.

But wait, there's more! I'm also sharing a FREE guide for you to share with DOG ADOPTERS WITH KIDS. It's a PDF, easy to share, and complete with links to helpful resources.

If you want the link to my workshop and free guide, please fill out this form. You will then receive a link to the video and a button to press to download the free guide for adopters with kids.

https://poochparenting.net/workshop-for-rescues-placement-with-kids/

PLEASE feel free to share this post with any organizations who might benefit from this content :-)

10/06/2024

“Separation is not the same as isolation”
It’s management. Sometimes managing the environment helps the dog feel safe and it also doesn’t allow the rehearsal of unwanted behaviors. Management is usually combined with training but doesn’t always have to be. 👍
Thanks Pooch Parenting

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.

10/03/2024

Great choices!

If you’re the owner of a new puppy or a dog owner looking to adjust misbehavior, the best dog training books can help you get the best possible results.