Ruff to Ready Dog Behavior

03/13/2025

"I hear you" is something I often say to dogs. 🖤

🐶 The first thing I teach my clients isn’t how to get their dog to sit—it’s how to read their dog’s behavior based on what they do, not what we think they feel. Dogs communicate through body language—are you listening?

12/15/2024

When someone asks me, "Why does my dog ____?" or "How do I get them to stop ____?", it's hard to give a simple answer. Dog behavior isn't just one thing—it's like solving a mathematical equation. There are so many factors to consider!

This picture is a great visual representation of everything that goes into understanding an animal's behavior—and even this is just the starting point. From their environment to their genetics, their past experiences, and even their daily stress levels, every detail matters when figuring out why they do what they do.

Behavior isn't random—it's communication. When we take the time to consider all the pieces of the puzzle, we can better understand our dogs and find solutions that truly help them thrive.

What’s one thing you’ve learned about your dog’s behavior that surprised you? Share below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Why does my dog ___?

We get this question a lot, especially when it comes to complex behaviors like fear, reactivity, or aggression. And as humans, we want (desperately!) to find a clear label as the reason for this behavior.

We often hear “he must have been abused by a large man who wore hats because he’s so scared of them,” “he dislikes strangers because of his breed,” or “it’s all in how you raise them.”

The truth is that there are TONS of things that contribute to behavior. Not even the best scientists in the world can tell us where a particular dog’s behavior comes from. When we see a fearful dog, it could be due to genes, limited maternal care, or stress in their first weeks of life (or inside mom’s uterus). They could have had a traumatic experience or have a hormone imbalance. They could hurt, have learned associations over time, or even have certain brain structures that grew or shrank to make them more fearful.

So what’s really important to know here?
1️⃣ behavior causes can be very complicated
2️⃣ anyone who says that behavior is all because of learning, or breed, or socialization, or whatever- is misinformed.
3️⃣ in many cases, you’re just not going to be able to identify the “cause” of complex behaviors like fear, reactivity, or aggression. Get comfy with not knowing.
4️⃣ not knowing the exact cause doesn’t prevent us from working on behavior!! We can make educated guesses and use treatment plans and involve vets to help us treat what we can’t easily train.

If you're struggling to figure out what your dog needs, we'd love to help! Visit our website to schedule a behavior consult or reach out for more info!

12/06/2024

Sometimes, I try the 'parakeet trick' with my dogs—putting a blanket over them to encourage calmness and relaxation. Both of them are clearly unimpressed by my tactics today.

This moment made me think about how every dog has their own personality and needs when it comes to relaxation. While some dogs find comfort in being covered, others may need a different approach, like a quiet room, calming music, or a specific routine.

Understanding what helps your dog relax is key to reducing stress and creating a safe, peaceful environment. What works best for your pup?

10/30/2024

A significant proportion of dogs I work with, reportedly biting 'out of nowhere,' were previously trained to remain in 'place' near triggers. Compelling a fearful dog to stay stationary amidst frightening stimuli often culminates in heightened stress and eventual reactivity. Instead, our focus should be on establishing safe environments and teaching them effective coping mechanisms.

CANINE COMMUNICATION: SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL SHUTDOWN

As guardians of fearful, anxious and reactive dogs, we need to be very mindful that a lack of obvious behaviours doesn't necessarily mean that they are feeling safe and relaxed. When a dog is overwhelmed, he won't always show this in the way we might expect. Yes, some dogs might bark and lunge and feel able to express themselves, while others might shut down and internalise their fear. Previous experiences, as well as how safe and supported they feel, will play a large part in how they respond.

Dogs which are regularly over-exposed to triggers, such as being expected to maintain a sit, down, stay, focus etc in proximity to things which worry them, will result in the dog being flooded, regardless of whether they appear to be calm. Emotional shutdown and learned helplessness is a huge risk.

Flooding can occur whether or not it is intentional, so we really need to broadcast the message that the appearance of calmness doesn't equal relaxed, and quietness doesn't mean that they are coping. You can read more about this in the blog post linked below:

https://www.trailiepawsforthought.com/post/canine-emotional-shutdown?fbclid=IwAR3xBNxkiH-CXP130PlK5lUxlzLXY5s8J8xqSq7NB0paMvSmOwNJ7_2hLJE

A dog suffering with learned helplessness may even appear to be well-behaved and seem far less of a problem than a dog who reacts noisily and lunges on the lead. Think of the scenario at the vets, where the dog is removed from his guardian in order to be treated because he "behaves much better", isn't able "to guard" his human, is "much easier to handle", etc. Removing the dog's trusted person will often lead to the dog not feeling safe enough to express himself. Be aware that, just because your dog exhibits signs of stress around you but not someone else, it does not mean that your dog feels any more comfortable when with them - he is likely suppressing his feelings, and the behaviours which communicate his internal state.

It is possible for fear to go unrecognised in these cases when the typical signs that we expect to see are not present; however, a complete lack of behaviours denotes a profoundly distressed dog. Sometimes, unknowledgeable trainers may even mistake this state of shutdown for calm and relaxed behaviour, often labelled as “calm, submissive”. Luckily, we know better, thanks to science!

©️ Trailie Paws For Thought
www.trailiepawsforthought.com

I'm very happy for all of my content to be shared, but please do not copy and paste (to avoid sharing from source), screenshot, or download any part of it. THANK YOU! 🐾 🐾

10/29/2024

A morning sniff-session at the park is my secret to calm, relaxed office dogs. With three behavior reports to complete today, I need my dogs to be as chilled out as possible! 🐶

Pro tip for busy pet parents: When life gets hectic, give your pup a 15 minute ‘sniffari’! It’s a simple way to get their energy out and calm them down, so everyone can focus (or nap!) back at home.

How do you balance your work and pup-time? 🐾 Share your go-to routines below!

10/25/2024

🖤💚🐾

08/30/2024

When I first met Bella, she was terrified of the world—scared of going outside, frightened of people, and even anxious around those in her own home. She was rescued from a rural area after living on a porch for two years with little contact with humans. But with patience, understanding and consistent effort, Bella's story changed.

Her amazing owners have worked tirelessly to help her overcome her fears, understanding that this journey is about progress, not perfection. Each step, no matter how small, has brought Bella closer to living a life full of confidence and joy.

I'm beyond proud to share this small glimpse of her accomplishments. When I see Bella thriving, it reminds me why I’m passionate about my work—helping dogs like her find their resilience and helping owners build the deep, trusting bonds with their dogs.

It was tough at first working with Bella, but it’s been worth every minute. Let this be a reminder: no matter how challenging the road may seem, every step forward counts, and one day, those small steps will make a world of difference.

08/24/2024

Blog Alert: Sunny’s Journey! 🌟

🤪I finally had a moment to put together a blog all about my wild child, Sunny. He’s the dog I needed and love, but I have to admit, he can be a real pain sometimes. 😂

⚡Sunny’s journey began with anxiety and boundless energy, but he has since made impressive progress. If you’re curious about the methods I’ve used to make my hyperactive dog more peaceful and content, grab a drink and enjoy! ☕🐶

CLICK HERE ➡️https://www.rufftoreadydogtraining.com/dog-behavior/sunnys-journey/

This blog includes:
😱4 Fs of Fear
🐕Sunny’s journey
🤭Opinions about the shelter and rescues
🧐Things Sunny has taught me

08/03/2024

⁉️For the love of dog, please DO NOT buy a puppy from these types of stores!!!

In 2021, I met a backyard breeder who told me they separate the puppies from their littermates and mother when they were only five weeks old. This early separation greatly affects their natural curiosity and hinders their ability to adapt to new situations and overcome obstacles.

Click here to explore the stages of a dog’s development: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-growth-timeline-transitions-puppyhood/

Here are three more reasons to stay away from these stores:

1️⃣Health Roulette: Want to gamble on vet bills? Buying a puppy from a pet store is like playing the lottery, except the only thing you might win is a lifelong subscription to your vet’s Christmas card list. Puppies from these stores often come with a range of health issues, leading to frequent and costly vet visits.

2️⃣Backyard Breeder Bingo: Think backyard breeders are as charming as a neighborhood bake sale? Think again. These breeders often focus more on quantity over quality. The result? Puppies with genetic problems, poor socialization, and a higher risk of behavioral issues.

3️⃣ Adopt, Don’t Shop!: There are thousands of wonderful dogs waiting for homes in shelters and rescues. By adopting, you’re not only saving a life but also breaking the cycle of cruelty. Plus, you’ll get a dog with a story worth telling!

Remember, adopting a pet is a long-term commitment. Choose wisely and compassionately. Let’s make a pawsitive difference together! 🐾

08/02/2024

🐾 Why is it important to prevent unwanted behaviors while training new ones?

🐶When we focus on preventing unwanted behaviors, we create a calm and positive environment for our dogs to learn in. This is crucial because:

1. Clarity and Consistency: Preventing unwanted behaviors provides clear and consistent signals to your dog about what is and isn’t acceptable, making it easier for them to understand and follow the rules of the world.

2. Less Stress: By managing and preventing undesirable actions, we reduce stress for both you and your dog. A calm dog is more receptive to learning and adopting new, positive behaviors.

3. Safety: Unwanted behaviors can sometimes pose safety risks. Addressing them early ensures a safer environment for everyone involved.

4. Positive Reinforcement: When we prevent unwanted behaviors, we can focus on reinforcing the behaviors we want to see. This strengthens the desired behaviors and helps them become habits.

In our sessions, we’ll work together to recognize and prevent those unwanted behaviors while simultaneously training new, positive ones.

This balanced approach leads to a happier, more well-behaved dog and a more harmonious home. Let’s create positive change together!

08/01/2024

Ever feel like your dog is training you? 😅

Share your funniest training stories!

07/31/2024

I feel incredibly thankful for the chance to positively affect the lives of dogs, their owners, and the people they come across.
_______
Thank you for the kind words, Carlene. It was a wonderful experience, working alongside Odin and witnessing his growth and accomplishments in the world.

07/30/2024

Training Tip:

🤹🏽‍♀️ Finding the right balance in your dog's training is key.

🐾 It's important to give your dog the freedom to choose positive behaviors and learn independence.

😖 At the same time, it's essential to guide them away from unwanted actions and teach them what behaviors are acceptable.

❤️ Consistent training, patience, and understanding will help your dog thrive and become well-mannered.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine what is acceptable and what is not. Take advice from experts, but trust your instincts and know what works best for you and your dog.

What’s something your dog does that you’ve been told is a no-no? My dogs chill on the couch, sleep in bed, and eat human food.

07/27/2024

🐾Want to turn those chaotic walks into calm adventures?

👉🏽Try the Inside-Outside game!

🌟🐾It's like a mini adventure in your own yard. 🌟🐾


Video: https://youtu.be/BUJAwJaaLsU?si=fvnzrumUoBMIqfck
Blog: https://www.rufftoreadydogtraining.com/dog-behavior/in-and-out-game/

07/26/2024

⁉️Have you ever wondered why dog trainers seem to get your dog to listen better than you can?

👉🏽It’s all about understanding body language and applying the right techniques at the right time.

🦴During our first meeting, I’ll teach you how to read your dog’s body language, empowering you to use effective techniques when they’re most needed. Without this understanding, it can feel like you’re just throwing treats without results.

👀If you catch your dog stressing out early, you can stop them from acting out and give them a chance to learn new behaviors.

🧘🏽‍♀️Let’s work together to build a more harmonious life for you and your dog!
https://www.rufftoreadydogtraining.com/dog-behavior-services/

07/25/2024

🎯 Benefits of the Inside/Outside game

🌎Environmental Flexibility
🐾Reinforce Good Behavior
❤️Bond Building
🧘🏽‍♀️Adrenaline Management

Imagine a calm, well-behaved dog that actually listens to you instead of freaking out over every little thing.

Dream come true, right? Find out more! 🐕✨

Blog: https://www.rufftoreadydogtraining.com/dog-behavior/in-and-out-game/

07/24/2024

💣Ever feel like walking your reactive dog is more like navigating a minefield?

❤️You are not alone! That’s why I’ve shown so many dog owners the inside/outside game.

🐾It's fun, it's easy, and it’s all about turning those walks into bonding sessions.

👇🏽Ready to try it?! 👇🏽
https://www.rufftoreadydogtraining.com/dog-behavior/in-and-out-game/

Rapidly transitioning your dog between environments through the In-and-Out game helps them develop adaptability and strengthen their focus on you.