Jackson & Penny have not benefited from unclear structure. Usually they pull all over, get too excited by dogs and people, and it usually starts before the walk does. Changing the initial energy, and requiring agreement during the walk, are 2 major keys to creating a calmer pack. Keep up the great work!
#packleadership #frenchbulldog #calmleaderscalmdogs
Morrigan & Mac are learning to be in each other's space without being tense or disagreeing with each other. Socializing is the act of being calm in each other's space... for us, for them. One small argument later, everything settled. Small steps! Great job!
#mastiff #packleadership #calmleaderscalmdogs
Take your dog with you on your walk. Even in the rain... maybe especially in the rain. Sandy was walking with Bethany when it started raining so we just continued. A relaxed brain is what we strive for with our dogs and ourselves, and Sandy went right into a calm/follow state. Togetherness, with our pack...
#packleadership #trustrespectlove #calmleaderscalmdogs
Luna is a tense almost year old Mastiff. Her ritual has been disagreeing with whatever she wants and she disagrees with new people. Anthony and Amanda did an amazing job but when I took the leash Luna wanted to show me she wasn't going to pay attention. The muzzle helps her not get into trouble, and it saved the inside of my thigh when she went after me. No worries, it was just an argument that got settled. Luna is back of the pack, and after that she was reasonably uncertain and uncomfortable... but with self-control. Her certainty then comes from people who are certain... And no more throwing punches. People and dogs are sometimes worlds aprat, but sometimes not too far at all...
#mastiff #packleadership #trustrespectlove #calmleaderscalmdogs #calmconfidentlovejoy
Treat time is calm time. Koa, and Malu were taught to be a 0 on a 10 scale around food. Pono knows this as well... it doesn’t mean that he's not excited but when he receives the treat it's because his brain goes to a zero/excitement-wise. This is so everyone is safe around food and eating. I DO NOT think everyone should do this, but this is also not his initial introduction to excitement, either...
#ponoisnokaoi #calmleaderscalmdogs #packleadership #rhodesianridgeback #rhodesianridgebackpuppy
Day 4, Doorways and confined spaces inside a grooming business. Everyone did phenomenally well, but I wanted to highlight Amy with Truman. He's a back of the pack guy that (if you remember) I've worked with before and Pono has helped him be more of a dog and less anxious. Even with ups and downs, Amy has been very consistent and this particular exercise is about TRUE leadership. No treats, no tension, just dog psychology and understanding pack position (which 99% of "trainers" have no idea what that means or how to address it) just calm following. Look what happens - and this was repeated over and over by everyone - when there's no tension or frustration or short leashes. "Wow!" is the response I usually hear... and that's just the dog! Next week, Treat Distraction!
#canineleadershipclass #packleadership #calmleaderscalmdogs
First night of the Canine Leadership Class! I was too busy to video our exercises because I was really challenging the students and Malu was a rock star! Energy, body language, clear communication, understanding canine feedback. All covered with the help of my buddy! So, Rita's Italian Ice was a no brainer for some vanilla custard! Even with screaming children, lots of movement and people, there's only one thing on his mind. THEN, we'll go visit some more! Next week, the dogs arrive!
#canineleadershipclass #packleadership #calmleaderscalmdogs
I show slow motion walking because for dogs that have a lot of mental energy this exercise is foundational beyond following... it's following 2.0! Here's Bourbon, who has the same birthday as Pono! He has a focus and a drive that we have to nurture under OUR rules, so Shelley got to learn how to make that happen for his sake and hers!
#packleadership #professionalcaninebehaviorist #shepherdmix
I followed up with Truman and Amy today. Truman was severely back of the pack when we first met months ago. Progress, even small progress, is still progress and events are not a regression. He's never going to be an extrovert but he is way more comfortable than before. Long lead following (perfect for back of the pack) is what you see happening here... no tension, changing direction when Amy changed direction, and stopping wothout trying to hide. Next time we meet, Pono is going to come and help! Keep it up, Amy!
#packleadership #backofthepack #doodles
They should all be set for a rainy morning now! Pono, Malu, Stan and Bueller @swiftpaws_official
#packleadership #swiftpaws #rhodesianridgebackpuppy #greatdane
Bryson with his dog, Asher, working thresholds for respect and control of Asher's brain.
#packleadership #calmleaderscalmdogs
This is how these two knuckle heads wrestle quietly at dinner time... 💞
#rhodesianridgebackpuppy #rhodesianridgeback
Keith has had Millie with him for 2.5 days in hopes of adoption. Millie is a sweet girl who gets excited at times and the walk is also one of those times. While on a harness it is hard ro control the brain when the humans do all of the work for the dog (a.k.a. peasants vs. royalty). So we changed the leash, changed to conversation at the doorway, and changed Keith's energy to calm/confident. Now, instead of the dog pulling the human forward and being pulled back into position we have Keith sending the message and Millie doing the work. Great job... elapsed time, 20 total minutes.
#floridaurgentrescue #packleadership #calmconfidentlovejoy #respectthewalk #cleardirection
Remi is only 11 weeks old and full of excitement for life. So structure and following is important for her life. So is praise at the right time for all sorts of things we want to reinforce!
#packleadership #germanshorthairedpointer
Naga has been at his new home for less than 24 hours and is 8 weeks old. Teaching people, who listen and apply the knowledge they just received, is what I love. I had been at their house for 45 minutes chatting and sharing information with them. Then we went for a walk and put into practice what was talked about... 3 minutes later, a puppy that had never had a leash on, held by people who couldn't walk a Great Pyrenees "that didn't want to go" are now walking down the street much more relaxed and in charge. Can't wait to see Naga in the July 20 Canine Leadership Class!
#packleadership #respectthewalk #greatpyreneespuppy
I got to work with Andy and Barbara with Tucker today and we got to use neighbors to help teach respectful meetings and calm leaders. Notice that sometimes when the dog relaxes the humans get tense. But fail to correct at the right time. That's why meeting people should be a daily event for puppies so they know how to do it correctly and the humans get to practice how to control the other hu.ans. It's a process but everyone did really well!
#packleadership #chocolatelab #calmconfidentlovejoy #calmleaderscalmdogs
I adore working with children, autistic and Down Syndrome folks because their energy is always calm around dogs. Every experience I have had was like that. Additionally, those 3 categories are looked down upon by the rest of adults as "mentally challenged", when in actuality, WE are mentally challenged. Why? Because these three groups LIVE IN THE MOMENT and every dog I've ever seen around them feels that. Knows that. Here is high speed Jessie who Doug has been unsure of because she's excited and big. But he was given permission to be the boss in her life. Calmly and confidently, even though he's afraid of big dogs. Was it fear or limitation? Obviously artificial limitations because here is Doug killing it!
#packleadership #calmconfidentlovejoy #calmleaderscalmdogs #dobermanpinscher
My last client of the day was 10 year old Buddy! What does this exercise signify? Leadership establishing and nforcing rules and levels of excitement. Important in a wod where uddy sometimes believes that he runs the house. After a great walk by everyone, they learned how to manage the door, and then working on the excitement with food. Keep up the great work, family!
#packleadership #respectthewalk #bichonfrise
