WAGS: Wonderful Animal Guidance Services

06/24/2024

05/18/2024

🐶 Practical Premack

📅 Saturday, August 24, 2024
⌚ 11 AM to 12:30PM EDT (USA and Canada)

📝 Enroll Here!! 👉 https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/practical-premack

🥸 To maximize the power of positive reinforcement, a trainer must thoroughly understand what reinforcement means. Too often, we equate positive reinforcement only with a piece of food. While this often works, it’s not very useful when an animal is too full, frightened or aroused to eat.

Many trainers talk about “life rewards,” those everyday goodies (e.g., the opportunity to go outside, to sniff a tree or to greet an approaching dog) which can be used to reinforce desired behaviors. This approach is similar to the Premack Principle, but doesn’t fully take advantage of this revolutionary insight. Dr. David Premack said much more than, “If you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert” (a paraphrase of his principle commonly used by trainers).

📚 Learn how Premack’s laboratory-derived theory can help you and your clients expand your animals’ motivational menus. After reviewing real-life training applications of this scientific principle, you’ll be inspired to think about positive reinforcement more creatively.

📌 This is an online event. You will be able to view the webinar even if you cannot join us on the live event date. This webinar will be recorded and sent out within two weeks after the live event. The recording will be available for viewing for as long as it is relevant in our industry.

💡 CEUs pending:
- KPA
- PPAB
- IAABC
- CPDT

💰 Tuition:
General Admission Tickets – after July 24: $45
Early Bird Tickets – before July 24: $29
Shelter/Rescue/Vet Student/Vet Tech Tickets - no expiration date: 30% off general admission ticket (discount code is SDFWBV)

🛒 Discounts are available for groups of 5 or more - please contact [email protected] for more information.

🚫 Cancellation policy: No refunds

🎓 Behavior Vets Membership 🎓
We are grateful that you trust us with your continued education, and we wanted to make it even easier for you to learn and grow with us. After enrolling, you can apply the Membership discount to THIS webinar!

🙌🏼 Benefit of our Memberships🙌🏼
🔥Exclusive Content: Dive into premium articles, videos, and tutorials available only to our members.
🌟 Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and thought leaders.
🚀 Early Access: Be the first to know about new features, events, and updates.
🎁Bonus Perks: Enjoy special discounts, freebies, and surprises.
📚 Learning Hub: Access our knowledge base, courses, and workshops.

👉🏼 There are two ways to enroll for each membership:

📝 INTRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $29.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.
Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-basic-membership-plan

Yearly: Purchase this package for $299.99 and save $60.00.
Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/basic-behavior-vets-membership

💡PLUS MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $39.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.
Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-mid-tier-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $399.99 and save $80.00
Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-plus-membership-annual

📖 PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.
Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vets-premium-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00
Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-premium-membership-annual

📚 PRO MEMBERSHIP:

Monthly: This is a subscription, which automatically renews at $69.99 each month until you cancel. You may cancel at any time.
Subscribe monthly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/subscription/behavior-vet-pro-membership

Yearly: Purchase this package for $699.99 and save $140.00.
Purchase yearly here: https://behaviorvets.mylearnworlds.com/course/behavior-vets-pro-membership-annual

05/17/2024

PhD Course "Personalities in animals and humans"
26th Aug 2024 - 30th Aug 2024
Uppsala, Sweden

Behavioral studies in fish and rodents, animal personalities (stress coping styles), physiological correlates of divergent personality traits, evolution of personality traits and domestication.

These lectures are complimented with literature, mainly review papers, and seminars. Establishing contact between students as well as between students and lecturers is encouraged. The students will also be given the opportunity to present their own research.

Participation in lectures and seminars is mandatory.

More information: https://www.applied-ethology.org/PhD_Course_Personalities_in_animals_and_humans.html

05/16/2024

Ultimately, we are one of the most reactive species, if not, by far, THE most reactive species. You simply will not find a person who never reacts/over reacts to the world around them.

We generally are specific too in what sets our reactivity in motion:

🚶🏻‍♀️ Specific people (e.g. past relationships)
🚗 Particular actions (e.g. road rage)
💥 Particular noises (e.g. misophonia)
😭 Particular injustices (e.g. discrimination)
🧐 Particular pet hates (e.g. tardiness)
Etc.

The difference is we allow it within ourselves. We are MUCH less judgemental of it. In fact, a lot of the time we may not even acknowledge that it's reactivity. It's just "who we are".

Generally we expect SO MUCH MORE of our dogs than ourselves. We expect dogs to NEVER OVERREACT to the world around them. We expect dogs to like everyone and everything that comes across their path.

Could you do that for yourself?

If you are finding yourself exasperated at yours dogs' tendencies to react, set yourself a challenge. For one week you are not allowed to over react to ANYTHING that goes on in your life. Absolutely nothing. You must remain stoic, calm, considered and controlled for that entire week.

Then imagine that's been asked of you for your entire life.

Feels impossible?

There's your answer to a LOT of canine reactivity.

It's a normal expression of life we are trying to fight against for the sake of our ease in life, generally.

🐾 If your dog does not like a certain type of dog - avoid them and have coping skills to manage it.
🐾 If your dog does not like a certain action - avoid it or have coping skills to manage it.
🐾 If your dog does not like a certain situation - avoid it or have coping skills to manage it.

Don't just assume you can blow that reactivity away with a puff of smoke if you squash it hard enough.

Context specific reactivity isn't a flaw in our dogs. It's a product of who they are, what they've been through and what they've learnt.

We have exactly the same trait. Some things just really provoke us.

If it's ok to be human; it's ok to be dog too 🐾💜

05/15/2024

It’s okay to just HAVE a dog.

Many people show their dogs, compete with their dogs, train their dogs for all kinds of things; and that’s wonderful- but you don’t have to do that to love or have a dog.

You can have a dog that you sneak a piece of your sandwich to, that you take on hikes or quiet walks, teach to grab the leash and bring to you, and let sit on your lap and make your eyes water with their horrific gas each night as you watch TV together. You can have a dog you do nothing with but enjoy, bring comfort to and receive from, and feel a sense of home with.

You can have a dog who doesn’t know anything fancy, but never leaves your side. A dog who doesn’t have any ribbons but can dig the best holes in your yard. You can just have a dog. That’s okay. Your dog doesn’t care. I don’t care. I feel the same with horses.

Today’s world often seems to put so much expectation on not just the dog, but the human beside them. Dogs don’t care about how many ribbons YOU’VE ever won, or whether you compete in things, what degrees you have, they don’t care. They are just happy to have a human who understands them, loves them; and provides for them. They are happy to just have you, and you can be happy to just have them too.

If we could normalize just having dogs, not expecting so much of them, and ourselves, I think their worlds would be much better for it. We’d lift some of the pressures we’ve put on them and ourselves. The things we see people doing with dogs today is amazing, but it doesn’t mean what you are doing is any less. As long as your dog is happy, enriched and understood, that’s all that matters. Really.

Here are my dogs, just do***ng.

05/13/2024

🗣️ Playing tug-of-war with puppies can be beneficial when done correctly! Here are some reasons why it’s okay and even advantageous:

1️⃣ Impulse Control: Tug games can help puppies learn impulse control. When they wait to go for the toy or drop it when asked, it reinforces desired behavior.

2️⃣ Confidence Building: Tug can boost a puppy’s confidence. It allows them to focus on you in distracting environments, which is essential for training and socialization.

3️⃣ Bond Strengthening: By playing tug, you nurture a strong rapport with your puppy. Letting them “win” during the game doesn’t mean they dominate you; it shows that engaging with you is fun and rewarding.

4️⃣ Physical Exercise: Tug games provide an excellent outlet for physical activity. Puppies burn energy, strengthen their muscles, and improve coordination while tugging on a toy.

5️⃣ Mental Stimulation: Tug-of-war engages a puppy’s mind. They need to strategize, focus, and react to your movements during the game. This mental stimulation is essential for their overall well-being.

6️⃣ Teething Relief: Puppies go through a teething phase, and tugging on a toy can help soothe their sore gums. Make sure the toy is appropriate for teething and not too hard.

7️⃣ Training Opportunities: Tug can reinforce behaviors like “drop it” or “leave it.” Use the game as a training tool to teach obedience and impulse control.

📣 Remember a few simple rules:

✔️ Use an appropriate toy (not your hands or clothing).

✔️ Maintain light resistance, especially with young puppies or senior dogs—be gentle with tugging. Match your tugging intensity to their size and body

✔️ Always supervise playtime.

Happy Tugging! 🐶🐾

05/04/2024

Official statement on Dog Training and Behavioral Wellbeing

05/02/2024

04/29/2024

Dog & baby on the scene, a parent in between!

Don’t rush the relationship with your dogs and children. Build bonds with safe inclusion and parent-guided activities that nurture trust, comfort, and predictability together over time. ❤️

we have many free resources available to download that go over Success stations, Dog & Baby/Toddler safety and much more… Plus, we have a YouTube channel! Visit us at www.familypaws.com for more & help us continue to help create !

04/23/2024

If you are going to have a dog, you are going to have to make sacrifices. You cannot expect to have an animal that was designed to live primarily outside and bring it into your house and not have to make changes or adjustments. A dog is not an ornament, a commodity or a display. A dog is an animal. You are sharing your life with another species. This is life with a dog.

Your yard will not be pristine. The grass will get burned from their p*e. Holes will be dug, bushes shredded, mud will come in the house. You cannot ask them to not p*e in your house and then also try to control even their outside bathroom. Please see how unfair this is. This is life with a dog.

You house will need management. Your counters will need to be clear. Shoes will need to be put away. Laundry room blocked. Kids toys picked up. Some things will get destroyed anyway. This is life with a dog.

They will bark at noises. They will protect their territory. Sometimes fiercely. They will not welcome strange people into the home easily even if you “know them” because this is in their genetic DNA. They don’t understand family gatherings and they don’t always see things the way we do. They won’t love playing with every dog they meet. This is life with a dog.

They will need enrichment and work and productivity. They will need training that is kind and fair and consistent and then maintenance to maintain that training. They will need guidance and coaching and lots of reinforcement to help them perform unnatural behaviors against their natural phenotypes. This is life with a dog.

They will mature and change and modify in their likes, behaviors and preferences as they age. Their behaviors aren’t guaranteed. They are not robots and they can be mercurial as they grow into their own personalities. They are allowed to change their mind and shift naturally just as we do. They need to be seen for what and who they are, not what and who YOU want. This is life with a dog.

Life with a dog is not a human right. It is a privilege and a responsibility and an education. They are animals and should be treated and expected to behave as such. That doesn’t make them any less loved or family members and it doesn’t make them any less deserving of respect, in fact it makes them more so.

Enjoy your life with a dog, and help them enjoy life with a human.

- Helen St. Pierre

Picture of the best baby giraffe Kettle ❤️

03/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/seespotlearn/posts/809631541172873

12/30/2023

Management is something every trainer I know talks about - it’s one of the first conversations I have with clients. Baby gates, x-pens, leash tethers, the list goes on…

I’ve always thought I was good at finding adaptive solutions but today I walked into a lesson and was blown away by the genius of my client! Their dog is a big boy who loves to counter surf, but also struggles with being confined.

Look at this beautiful AND creative solution they came up with! This is a portable ping pong net 🤯 I am so in love with this and was so impressed with their ingenious idea.

You can find them on Amazon - get one while you can because I think this is gonna be a new trend 😂