WAGS: Wonderful Animal Guidance Services

01/06/2025

**In Loving Memory of Karen Pryor**

On behalf of the Animal Behavior Management Alliance (ABMA), we extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Karen Pryor. Karen's passing leaves a profound void in the world of animal behavior and training, but her legacy of compassion, dedication, and innovation will continue to inspire us all.

Karen was a pioneering force in the world of positive reinforcement and animal behavior management. Through her groundbreaking work, she transformed how we understand and communicate with animals, shaping the way we approach training and care with a deep respect for the animals we serve. Her teachings, philosophy, and unwavering commitment to the humane and effective treatment of animals will forever resonate in the practices and hearts of everyone who had the privilege to learn from her.

Her books, workshops, and consultations have impacted generations of trainers, behaviorists, and animal lovers, not just within our community, but across the world. As a visionary, Karen brought to light the immense potential that exists when animals are understood and treated with empathy, patience, and respect. Her work has empowered us to approach behavior with clarity, purpose, and compassion.

We honor her memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing her mission — advancing the understanding of animal behavior, promoting positive training practices, and ensuring the welfare of animals everywhere. Karen’s influence will continue to shape our community, as we carry forward the legacy of excellence, integrity, and love that she embodied.

Karen, your impact was immeasurable, and your spirit will forever guide us in our work. We are eternally grateful for all you gave, and we will strive to continue your work with the same passion and dedication that you showed every day.

Rest in peace, Karen, knowing that your legacy will live on through every life you touched.

https://karenpryoracademy.com/remembering-karen-pryor-the-legacy-of-a-trailblazer-who-ignited-a-global-training-revolution/?utm_source=facebook-kpct&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_campaign=kp&utm_id=facebook-kpct&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1dgIW9ymxJobpB7zGt8YcXgilJ7NYnLgBV6tIXdUCPQ7VHP4ftMCY5aZc_aem_-H7AQkUj0X0zadgt0-2vZQ

01/02/2025

01/02/2025

I cannot think of a single legitimate use for a ‘bark collar’. Why would it ever be reasonable for a DOG to believe that BARKING’ is painful? Try to consider life from the dog’s perspective - we at least owe them that!

My view is that bark collars should be completely illegal world-wide. They mislead the general public into believing they are a reasonable way to treat animals.

12/26/2024

Research shows a cat's purr can heal bones and promote tissue repair:

Cats may purr when snuggled in your lap, but the soothing rumble isn’t just a signal of happiness.

Research suggests that the vibration is produced by muscles within the larynx, which dilate and constrict the glottis as the cat breathes. This results in a sound with frequencies ranging from 20Hz to 150Hz — known to correspond with therapeutic healing frequencies for bones and tissues in humans. Studies find that bones respond to the pressure of a cat's purr by hardening.

In fact, cats often purr in stressful situations, during recovery, or even when facing death, hinting that the purr may function as a form of self-soothing or physical rejuvenation.

Behavioral experts, such as Marjan Debevere and Gary Weitzman, highlight the varied meanings behind a purr. Cats might purr to express nervousness, communicate with other cats, or simply as a way to encourage humans to feed them.

As researchers continue to study feline communication, one thing is clear: the purr is more than just a simple expression — it’s a biological marvel that deepens our understanding of the bond between cats and their humans.

12/19/2024

Looking for some ways to help keep your Holiday Season Holly and Jolly while juggling dogs, kids, family and friends?

Here are 5️⃣ of our tips for dog & child Holiday Safety:

1️⃣ Advocate for the needs of your dog and child! Every dog and child is unique; don’t be afraid to say “no” if you think it will make your dog or child uncomfortable! 🛑

2️⃣ Ensure Active, Awake, Sober Adult supervision any time there is a dog and baby/ toddler on the scene! 👀

3️⃣ When in doubt, space it out! Make sure you have a management plan (baby gates, x-pens, crates etc..) to give everyone the space they need to feel safe and comfortable over the holidays 🎄

4️⃣ Make some yummy treats to keep your dog busy! We love , and easy enrichment ideas like the muffin tin game! 🐶

5️⃣ Create a safe zone for your dog and child by using our success stations! ✅

Find this post helpful? Please like, comment, save and share to help others to become more Dog Aware! 🐾

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12/04/2024

12/03/2024

12/02/2024

Space is good for dogs, children, and adults alike. Space can help ease anxiety. Space can facilitate learning and communication. Space can help us decompress.

Dogs, babies and toddlers all need the ability to learn, grow and explore in a safe environment! 🐾 💚 👣

Management is incredibly important to help create this success! ✅

If the child does not have the ability to follow guidelines or regulate their emotions in the moment due to their age or other reasons like being over tired, there needs to be management in place to support success for EVERYONE!

When in doubt about the closeness or proximity of your dog, baby and toddler, space it out!

✏️ Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

12/02/2024

Dogs, babies and toddlers all need the ability to learn, grow and explore in a safe environment! 🐾 💚 👣

Management is incredibly important to help create this success! ✅

If the child does not have the ability to follow guidelines or regulate their emotions in the moment due to their age or other reasons like being over tired, there needs to be management in place to support success for EVERYONE!

When in doubt about the closeness or proximity of your dog, baby and toddler, space it out!

✏️ Doggie Drawings by Lili Chin

11/24/2024

The problem with gatekeeping breeds

Anyone who has spent more than a minute online in dog world will have seen the rhetoric of how it takes someone very special to own a power breed such as a Belgian Malinois or a Cane Corso or an APBT or the like. Social media platforms are filled with posts either showing these breeds doing incredible things, or posts about how you should never get a breed like this unless you are going to work them and unless you are able to fulfil their needs. These posts are spot on and I couldn’t agree more. But they are creating a problem.

Everyone thinks they are special.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

As humans we have an ego and our ego often leads us to believe we are more capable than we are. The problem with gatekeeping breeds is that it makes them more desirable. People want to say ‘yes I can handle my Belgian Malinois because I am special’. We desperately need approval and admiration from others, especially in a world that is chronically online.

We saw it happen real time with the XL Bully. People saw this incredibly powerful breed and said ‘I’m special enough to handle one of them’ and then promptly bred them in the hundreds of thousands leading to many ill equipped homes owning a dog they absolutely could not handle.

The truth is, that to own a truly intense, working bred dog, you actually need to have an incredibly small life. You need your entire being to be obsessive about training, handling and working with the dog. It’s a full time career in itself to truly meet the needs of these dogs. You need to be absolutely addicted to it. That level of obsession however isn’t ‘cool’ or ‘sexy’. It doesn’t make for great online content either. That level of obsession however is what makes the dog easy to live with.

Even as I’m writing this, I know someone out there will read it and go ‘yes I can do that’. If you’re that person, please really look inward and be truly honest with yourself. Confront your ego.

I work at a rescue centre and years ago all we had was bull breeds, terriers and lurchers. Now all we have is fad colour Frenchies, Cane Corsos, Shepherds and Malinois/Dutch Shepherds. It speaks volumes.

I don’t know what the solution is. The more we say ‘not everyone can handle this breed!’ The more that is perceived as a challenge to the ego, and the more the ego grabs at a chance to prove itself.

We are heading down a very dark road of breed bans and dog legislation and those of us in the industry can see the patterns unfolding. We don’t know how to stop it, or even if stopping it is the right answer.

The issue is that our human egos and our desperation to be seen as ‘worthy’ is ruining our dogs and creating real danger for the general public.

Look inward. Really question why you want a certain breed. Take pause from the online rhetoric on both sides. Choose a dog that you and those around you need, not just one that you want.

- Kahla

📸 Alison Bowkett

11/19/2024

Dog are always communicating with us using their body language!

They give us clues about how they are feeling with multiple body parts like their ears, eyes, tail and muzzle!

What do you see from this dog in the photo? What do you think they might be trying to communicate?

Let us know your thoughts below ⬇️

11/18/2024

Having safe play for your child and dog around eachother doesn’t need to be complicated! 🐶

Here is a quick and easy acronym to help you and your family have SAFE play!

P - Proactive Management: Having things like baby gates, x - pens and setting up success stations are essential for safe play for both dog and child!

L - Leave Space: Recognize the grumble and growl zones in your home and around other people’s homes as well that you may be visiting! Always leave enough space!

A - Active Supervision: Whenever your dog or baby are playing, there needs to be an active, alert and awake parent or guardian supervising! Dogs and babies should never be left alone together!

Y - You in between: Whenever there is a dog and baby on the scene, YOU should have yourself in between! This helps create Yes zones and helps keep everyone safe and comfortable!

Did you find this post helpful? Please like, comment and share to help others become more dog aware! 🐾